Riffs and Patterns Every Guitarist Should Know
There are certain “go-to” riffs that guitarists have used for thousands of songs. Here is an
abbreviated run-down of some of the most common ones. Plus some examples of how to use the
patterns on the guitar to create a longer idea out of a simple two string pattern.
Riff 1
This is a classic riff that is heard in everything from rock to bluegrass. Here is the basic riff in the
open position in the key of C.
It can also be played in a variety of open keys. Here is the same riff played in G.
Try to play this riff in open A, E and D.
Here is a variation of this riff played without using open strings. Since it doesn’t use open
strings this variation can be played in other keys moving according to the root. The root shown
here is in F.
[Link] 1 Riffs and Patterns
Riff 2
This classic riff uses a descending pattern in 6ths to resolve to the root. This riff works well for blues
and country. Here it is shown in the key of E using the 1st through 3rd strings.
Here is the same riff in E using the 2nd through 4th strings. Notice how it now can be moved
according to the root (E), since it doesn’t use open strings.
If we transpose this lick into the key of G and use the 1st through the 3rd strings we have another
moveable form.
[Link] 2 Riffs and Patterns
Riff 3 – Sliding Riff
Here is a great lick using slides that can be used in any key to create a long lick that can be
endlessly varied. Here is the basic lick shown with a fifth string starting note in the key of C without
slides and with slides.
This basic idea can then be expanded to create a two octave riff shown going up and down.
Now, almost the same finger pattern is used when starting the lick on the 6th string. Here it is shown
in the key of F major and combines three octaves.
Relative Major and Minor: Two Uses for One Riff
Remember, certain major and minor keys are related and share the same key signature. So, all of
these riffs can be used in a major context and then in a minor context for the relative minor.
For example…
• a riff in F major can also be used in D minor.
• a riff in C major can also be used in A minor.
• a riff in G major can also be used in E minor.
[Link] 3 Riffs and Patterns
Riff 4 – Blues Double Stops
One of the techniques that make the blues sound like the blues is double stops. A double stop, or
diad, is when you play a lick using two notes at the same time instead of single notes.
This is a simple riff in the key of A that works over an A7. Played in the 5th position with the root on
the first string A.
This riff can be varied and expanded to something like this.
Let’s Practice and Learn
This lick can also be used in a variety of playing situations.
• Play this riff over the relative major chord C major for a sweeter bluesy sound.
Practice playing the lick in a variety of keys and then practice with the relative major/minor of those
keys.
[Link] 4 Riffs and Patterns
Finger Patterns and Positions
One simple melodic idea can be played in several different positions on the guitar using the same
fingering.
Using common finger patterns to play riffs in many octaves on the guitar is very easy. Finger
patterns that involve two adjacent strings can be repeated an octave up by moving up 2 or 3 frets
and moving to the next string set on the fretboard.
Here, the same finger pattern is used in all three octaves of these riffs. After you play the original riff
on the 6th-5th strings, then move up two frets and play the same finger pattern on the 4th-3rd string set.
From there you can move up three frets and play the same finger pattern on the 2nd-1st string set.
[Link] 5 Riffs and Patterns
