Tutorials

"Johnny B. Goode" Riff

This is the first part of the Intro riff for Johnny B. Goode.

Since first recording this song, Chuck Berry has played the riff a million different ways, but this will give you a good start if you've ever wanted to learn it.

The riff is based out of the "A" Pentatonic Blues scale, which is a great one to know if you're going to play rock or blues music.

Look at the example below.

The intro riff you will learn today is comprised of the notes circled in red. Notice the "fret" marker indicating the 5th fret on the illustration above.

Now look at the TAB below for the riff. If you are unfamiliar with TAB, please see our tutorial on "How to Read TAB".

There are three lead in notes, and then the riff goes to dual notes played simultaneously (5 times)  on the 1st and 2nd strings at the 5th fret, then the riff ends with a three note walk down comprised of the same three notes as the lead in.

You can play this with all "down" strokes with the pick.

Enjoy...

"Aqualung" Intro

The intro riff for "Aqualung" by Jethro Tull is a quick and easy lick to add to your bag of tricks.

It is only six notes, but these six notes are instantly recognizable.

Look at the TAB below. If you are unfamiliar with TAB please see our tutorial on "How to Read TAB".

The riff begins on the 5th fret of the 5th string, then goes to the 3rd fret of the 6th string, to the 6th fret of the 6th string, followed by the note on the 3rd fret of the 5th string, to the 4th fret of the 5th string, and ends on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.

Even if you are brand new to guitar, this should be an easy one for you. Hope you like it!

Enjoy...

Blues Lick in "E"

Here is a quick and easy little blues riff in "E".

Look at the TAB below. If you are unfamiliar with TAB, see our tutorial on "How to Read TAB".

The first two notes played on the 3rd string are a hammer-on. (we go into hammer-on's in detail in the Beginner Lessons Course).

Then you play an open 1st (E) string. The lick finishes with a slide up from the 3rd fret of the 2nd string to the 5th fret.

Give it a try, we hope you like it!

Enjoy...

"Secret Agent Man" Intro

This opening riff for "Secret Agent Man", as recorded by Johnny Rivers, was a big hit in the 60's, and was a predecessor to the "James Bond" theme song.

The riff, although not technically difficult, can be a little tricky to pull off at first.

Look at the TAB for the opening riff below. If you are not familiar with TAB please see our tutorial titled "How to Read TAB".

The riff begins by placing the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Play that note along with the open 1st and 2nd strings, let the 1st and 2nd strings sustain while sliding on the 3rd string from the 2nd fret to the 4th fret.

All the fretted notes occur on the 3rd string. Hand and finger movement can be kept to a minimum by playing the notes on the 4th fret with the 1st finger, the notes on the 5th fret with the 2nd finger, and the notes on the 6th fret with the 3rd finger.

If you are unfamiliar with string numbers see "Naming the Open Strings". For a review on "finger" numbers see "Fret & Finger Numbering" tutorial.

There are two measures in the above TAB. They are identical, just learn one and you have to whole riff!

Play this slowly to begin with and then gradually work up speed. Have fun!

Enjoy...