Composing Original Riffs

Hello everybody. I didn't know what to write about, so I decided, "What the hell, I'll teach the masses about some tips that may help with their songwriting." However, as stated by the name, this isn't for lyric writing, but rather, for original riff writing. What is a riff? Well, simply put, it is either an arpeggio, chord or some other type of progression that is not a "lick." A lick is usually a two to three second lead piece, connected with other licks. Now that I've filled your brain with some guitar lingo, lets begin. The following are some ways to go about writing riffs.

1. Write through inspiration.
What the heck do I mean by this? I mean listen to a song you really like (or maybe just one that everybody else likes) and then grab your thunder - axe (the term I like to use meaning "guitar") and start playing something. Try not to look at the tab for the song though. Now, I want you to just play something, at either the same tempo and timing, start at the same starting note as the song (or something similar), play with the same feel or whatever you want. Just think of something from the song that you really like, and just sort of fool around until you get somewhere. My favorite approach with this method is starting in the same general area of the fretboard as a riff you really like. And yes, doing it this way means you will probably have to look at a tab, but you don't want to copy the song, so just simply glance at the tab, and then begin. Good riffs are something you have to fool around with to get good at. I'll give you some examples of riffs I have made that complement this approach (songs used for inspiration will be named first, then the artist, and then the description):

- Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses) - one of my first and in many people's opinions, my best one, came from me starting at the twelfth fret area, and making an arpeggio riff with some distortion. Sounds sort of space-ish. This song was made when I was learning arpeggios.

- Black Dog (Led Zeppelin) - again, another riff where I started in the same area (technically known as "The Key" of a song), and created sort of a blues-ish, jazz-like riff, but still sounds very different from the original song. Not as fast paced as Black Dog, but a great riff none the less.

- Hotel California (The Eagles) - this riff was made from the "feel" of Hotel California, rather than using the same key, which in this song's case uses a capo at the fifth fret (the key of A). Great rock riff, that sounds as though people could dance to it.

Needless to say, this is quite a good approach to use. However, it works better when you are first starting out, or not so good, because:
1) It gives you something to practice to help "you" get better and;
2) You will learn techniques as you learn how to play, and you will practice them, and practice songs with them in it.
Thus you will make a song similar (maybe). Plus, you may not be able to play the song inspiring you anyway, so there will be no need to worry about copying, now will there? You don't have to be a begginer, but I find it easier to use this approach when you are.

2. The "Holes" Method.
I call this method the "Holes" method because it's like this. You make an original riff, or a riff of some kind, try to add to it, but it doesn't go with it, (thus you fall into a hole) but you still think it has potential (you come out of another hole). I have done this many times, although I don't plan to use any of the riffs I can remember. However, this method is powerful, because you are trying to make riffs for one song, and many of your failed attempts become riffs for other songs. One riff I tried to use to complete the "Black Dog" inspired song mentioned above, kind of went with it, but didn't. So now, if I want, I have another riff in my repretoire of original ones. So remember; you may want to keep those riffs that you thought were garbage, and make something of them. One major advantage to this method, is if you want to make an album with similar, but different sounding songs, that you want to define your "unchanging sound." Anyway, thats an idea.

3. "Open" up.
Use open notes in your songs, even when you are at the 15th fret, you may come up with something that can blow people out of the water, just by adding an open note or two. I have a couple good riffs that use open notes in them, and they sound great. Good for making more "evil" sounding songs. Eddie Van Halen uses lots of open notes in his soloing, so why not use them in your riffs?

4. Find your groove and favorite stuff.
Okay, now I'm sure that many people, like me, have a "favorite chord" that they just love. Whether it be the E minor, or the F diminished, you can find chords that you just love so much, and think, "Damn thats good. Lets make some tunes out of it." And thus, a dynasty will begin. Or at least, a whole new outlook on making your riffs. Take me for instance. I just love the a minor chord (preferabally the open one) because it sounds great, has many other places to go that are easily accessible (Asus, AMaj, A7, Am7 etc) and just overall appeals to my ear. I also like suspended chords in general, as they have that great tone that I find just right. Anyway, you can make great riffs, using just one chord letter. I made a very memorable riff, starting with our friend the A minor, and adding sevenths or what not. Not too many songs use a one chord type of riff, so it may be a good thing to check out.

5. Use unorthodox means.
Great riffs are just waiting to be unlocked. however, you may have to do some sneaky things to find them. You can try stretches that you can barely make, and make some good arpeggios out of them, or you can make some odd chords that you don't think exist (which, they do) or play with techniques or styles that you would never use. Experiment.

6. Let your fingers do the walking.
One of the best methods, is improvisinng. You don't even have to be good at improv, you just have to be playing. I have many great riffs made when I was talking to my friends, or watching tv. Just get relax, don't think about it and play. Just play. I can almost guarantee that one day, when you aren't thinking about what you are doing, you will come up with something that sparks your attention.

7. Unleash your emotion.
The most obvious method is to play what you feel. If you are feeling sad, play the guitar, and you will most likely come up with a sad riff. A great one to use (especially if your girlfriend/boyfriend breaks up with you; or better yet dumps you. Not trying to be a jerk, but it's the truth.

8. Conclusion.
To conclude, I just want to say that, these are just ideas that you may never have thought or overlooked. If you already knew about these, then all the power to you. I hope I have sparked your interest and influenced your composition skills at least a little bit. One thing I didn't mention is to try moving open chords to higher frets. You an make numerous original riffs like this. Anyway, don't give up; you'll find at least one good riff.

Comments

[wangtangkiki]

1st
What's the difference between break up and dump

I'll give you 17 stars.

[STERIOGRAM134]

nice one this definitely helped me alot.

[KENZI]

third, good lesson

[Iboseth]

Thanks!

[mangablade]

it was ok for me... 3 stars

[splice]

great one man

[doctor_rocker]

i liked it... I figured out a lot of these methods on my own, but this would be really good for some one just starting to write their own stuff. It helped me out anyway. good job. 5 stars

[nihilus]

i've been dumped alot of times and i'm one of the best at guitar in my year. coincidence. i think not. but great ideas so thanx

[fartbag]

this was pretty good but i already knew most of it 4 stars

[fartbag]

good job 5 stars

[bigtimmy]

yeh i definetly agree on the relaxed, non-attention paying method of just playing whatever, ive made a few wicked sounding things just flying over the frets in any old fashion

[ashalan30]

great advice on devices on riffs, 1 thing I must point out, 'hotel california' is on 7th fret

[bassmasta96]

nice lesson. Are you gay u sound gay? not that i have anything against gay people.

[WolfDreams]

Good article, it's helped me out a bit.

[gizmousa182]

never a truer word or rift spoken , the secret to a good face melting rift is keep it simple the , greatest rifts don't often 'fill' the fret board . keep it real , keep it live.

[Hypnot1st]

Good article.

[guitarkid2113]

Thanks for the ideas man. I like the if you got dumped idea a lot cuz i just did. So yeah ill try some stuff thnx.5 stars

[Jord0013]

i didn't like your advise. the whole inspiration thing was bull sht. would't they be just spoofs. i say search deep inside yourself, until you find ur own style. dont listen to the gay noob

[RoughDraft]

this was great i've been making riffs for a while and this article just told me i was going about it the right way thanks!
Although doing the whole inspired from another song tends to be a bit of plagerism so i wouldn't suggest that one as much although it does work sometimes

[Kurt_Morrelo]

Nice, no matter what anyone says. You scored a five... out of five. Hehe.

[metal_man696]

thanks man good lesson 5 stars.

[connorguitarboy]

excellent lesson thanks man

[lp_guitar_girl]

go easy Jord0013 - it was a good lesson esp. for noobs - 5 stars

[brittany713]

great lesson. im sortof a beginner, this helps

[el_guero]

Awesome lesson, i have been stuck in a rut for a few weeks and hopefully this will help me out of it. 5 stars from me.

[zepplinrules]

this is a good lesson mainly begginers, but as for my i have done lotsa this stuff myself with out reading it here! without being too bigheaded i still think this is interesting and funny lesson (laughing ith you "thunder axe9(!)") merci
ou revoir (thats french.....for good bye)

[manearl]

ahhh.. a monkey

thanks good tips

[AcousticAnarchy]

Awesome one dude. really helped alot.
I'll give all the stars

[AcousticAnarchy]

Great One dude, really helped alot. I'd give 20 stars

[Let it Happen]

the article kinda alluded to it, but never outright said it. the biggest thing in songwriting is theory. if u don't know any theory, your "song" will sound like crap all the time, every song, gauranteed. but if u know the basics (like the dude said, arpeggios, minor chords, scales, etc.) then his advice comes in handy.

[hardcoreatheist]

ive got a song on the go at the moment that i didnt mean to start writing i just tryed to play a song and did it wrong and developed it from there

[hardcoreatheist]

it also inspired me to learn some theory, cause if i didn't it would have been all powerchords and i do not want that.

[timzs]

dude.. u sound lyk my sister.. always trying to be a know-it-all... get a life..

[gareth_p]

that was a great lesson. I'm rubbish at making songs so it rlly helped!

[BassDude2737]

Thanks man, some good suggestions- The Bass Dude :cheers:

[kratos_dl]

kewl lesson really.damn inspiring

[rockchick45]

Thanks! I was stuck in a dead end but now i have found a way out!

[RockYourFace]

Fake it til you make it? I don't think so.

[druz15_UG]

hardcoreatheist
wrote:

ive got a song on the go at the moment that i didnt mean to start writing i just tryed to play a song and did it wrong and developed it from there

that hapened 2 me. I was trying 2 play Civil War (GNR) and I played it right but the timing was fkd and so I altered a couple of notes and VOILA!!! A song was born

[druz15_UG]

druz15_UG wrote:

hardcoreatheist

wrote:

ive got a song on the go at the moment that i didnt mean to start writing i just tryed to play a song and did it wrong and developed it from there


that hapened 2 me. I was trying 2 play Civil War (GNR) and I played it right but the timing was fkd and so I altered a couple of notes and VOILA!!! A song was born

Just thought that wud b funny 2 do

[druz15_UG]

taking up space




Hey shut up Im bored




Yeah

[musicmartyr]

Well written. I knew quite a few of your methods but I found one or two and I probably will use them. Thankss

[thecameronator]

great lesson helped me a lot

[petayyman]

wangtangkiki:
1st


What's the difference between break up and dump

I'll give you 17 stars.


you cant say 1st if ur not gunna say 2nd or 2ndly its just not rite


Great lesson

[Antonio626]

Good job,I think I've really got sth.

[Greendayfan4eva]

I gave you ten stars. I write a load of lyrics but every time i try to come up with melodies and guitar for them they always end up to the tune of other songs! Your techniques are great, especially the first one, no matter what others say. I think it's great to have a similar riff to a fave song because you know you're gonna love it! This has been a wonderful help!

[AmericanIdiot91]

What's the difference between break up and dump

a dump is a hell of a lot worse, more brutal, etc.

and this is an awesome article 5 stars

[Jake Norton]

Hey man great one 10 stars.

[the_captn_flint]

break up=im sorry, but it has to be this way.
dump=you suck

[guitar_pirson]

nihilus wrote:

i've been dumped alot of times and i'm one of the best at guitar in my year. coincidence. i think not. but great ideas so thanx

How does being dumped alot make you better at playing guitar?

[crash 2.0]

Is it possible to add a lesson to your favorites, 'cause I think I just found one.

[Midori: DDR God]

Thunder-axe? I call it the 'ninja-stick'.

[fingersofflame]

that was a useful lesson, but it was nothing phenomonal...nice job though, five stars from me..

[Guitar_gOdd]

all same techniques i use- so decent for newbies!

[swahili_rage]

lessons for writing songs???

[Jman813]

thanks this really helped alot i just started my own band and i feel this will help

[*kill'emall*]

stating the obvious, but that what makes it great

[Richie81]

Good job man, that helps alot.

[.:Freak:.]

That REALLY Helped!!!
thnx!!!

[hippieboy444]

Goood!!!!I made this up cause of this:
|-----12--15h18-----|
|-----17--12-----|
|---17-----12-----|
|-----|
|-15-----|
|-----|

[hippieboy444]

good it got screwed uP!!!!!

[Darkened-Soul]

nice lesson

[rrb6699]

i write songs like turning on water. they come when I want them. some better than others. my advice. GET A TAPE or DIGITAL RECORDER with a decent frequency response. I like the Olympus WS-300 series. 100-15,000 freq range. it is stereo an cn be plugged into a digital out of a mixing board too. or just record analog. my point? oh... dont lose your ideas!!! I have about a hundred thousand tiny riffs to entire songs on tape/computer now. not great quality but not looking for great quality until I finish them. True, I need to go back and re-learn them if I'm away from them any length of time but hey, they would have been lost forever if I didnt record them. I have had songs that I just started a chord progression and I start singing of the top of my head and WOW I have some nice stuff that sort of "wrote itself" as I call it.. music creation is amazing. I wonder why older rock n rollers never have hits again after writing such good stuff in the past?
I dont even know how to play guitar very well.. my biggest problem is how to add leads solos or bridges that sound good and fit in. anyone help me with that?

[rissx]

your article is very interesting. i noted some similarities between what you say and what i catch myself doing sometimes. to elaborate on your comment bout starting by listening to a song you like, i often make up something that sounds cool by trying to learn a song without the tab.

[sneaky123]

um..... this lesson was really
um.....
um.....
SHIT
dont read it is sucks PLZ dont read it

[fender f**kwit]

so you're telling us that the best way to beat making familiar sounding riffs is to base it on a familiar riff.

hmm. somehow it seems to work.
good article

[Boroladuk]

Let it Happen :
the article kinda alluded to it, but never outright said it. the biggest thing in songwriting is theory. if u don't know any theory, your "song" will sound like crap all the time, every song, gauranteed. but if u know the basics (like the dude said, arpeggios, minor chords, scales, etc.) then his advice comes in handy.

Bollux, you dont need to know theory to make a great, only someone who has tried all there life to make a great and never quite could relies on theory. A true song man dont need no theory all he needs is his musical taste and his ears, and an audience to wow....
Take Noel Gallagher, do u think when he first started writing songs he relied on theory, Fact is noel couldnt even read music. Dunno if he can now, but in the start he couldnt.....

[Boroladuk]

www.myspace.com/butchansundace Listen to Knights in shining armour, no theory needed. Its a great.....

[Boroladuk]

thats butchansundance

[pro_ked]

yeah, sounds gay.

[yorkmann]

freakin awsome dude...i gotta try this out some time!!! thanks 10 from me!!

[Mike_Callahan]

ya dude this was sweet..i already wrote one as i was skimming this lesson lol...thanks alot. 10

[rockyoursockson]

theory?

[Gib-Gib-son-son]

Whoa! that was awesom loved every second of it. thanks to the part the said.
"Go for stretches you can barely reach"
i came up with an awesom riff thanks for that. Keep up your ethirial work and well done.

[Gib-Gib-son-son]

O yeah.... Definatly gettin a 10 from me

[guitar1freak]

thanks, this will definetly help me now that im coming up with my own stuff

[guitar1freak]

10 out of 5!

[superdood]

this is sum god like work here man real helped me thanks keep writtin:H:

[Arlabester]

*runs to his axe upstairs*

[Dunjma]

Awsome!
had some ideas that i was yet to think of!

[Hellwig]

Good pointers, man!

[IrCen]

hej men i am doing the same thing than you

[fretmaster01]

effective advices... hehe..

[AJUK88]

this really helped me.
thank you

[keanefansam]

This is a pretty awesome lesson
It's given me loads of new ideas and make me wanna just go out there and make a killer riff.

[stu18visions]

Great lesson I've never worked on making my own riffs before and I made an okay riff

[gsh43]

you have saved my life! 5 stars

[genegene009]

wahahah! ang galing ... magiging magaling din ako !..
wahahah!

[stukes 04]

Boroladuk wrote:

Let it Happen :
the article kinda alluded to it, but never outright said it. the biggest thing in songwriting is theory. if u don't know any theory, your "song" will sound like crap all the time, every song, gauranteed. but if u know the basics (like the dude said, arpeggios, minor chords, scales, etc.) then his advice comes in handy.


Bollux, you dont need to know theory to make a great, only someone who has tried all there life to make a great and never quite could relies on theory. A true song man dont need no theory all he needs is his musical taste and his ears, and an audience to wow....
Take Noel Gallagher, do u think when he first started writing songs he relied on theory, Fact is noel couldnt even read music. Dunno if he can now, but in the start he couldnt.....[/quote]

Angus Young was another one who was theory illiterate

[ElephantMan4563]

Thanks all those days sitting around Improving did pay of!!!

[guitargod999]

good job, this really will help me in the future

[Bobthe66666]

Are there any recordings of these great, original, dance riffs of yours?

[theblackparade9]

how do u just make up things on the guitar like that!?

[_zac_]

bassmasta96 wrote:

nice lesson. Are you gay u sound gay? not that i have anything against gay people.

you are a ****tard

good article I thought

[steve45]

ive read it time and time, over and over, and still havent got any ideas... god.. lol... anyway it was inspirational, good lesson!!

[Scarlatti]

Hmmm 2 songs atm

[trueguitarhero]

*sniffle* im going to be forever lost on my fretboard. I seriously need more help than this website can give me....

[ragflesh]

cool tips!!

[Td_Nights]

guitar_pirson wrote:

nihilus wrote:

i've been dumped alot of times and i'm one of the best at guitar in my year. coincidence. i think not. but great ideas so thanx


How does being dumped alot make you better at playing guitar?

Refering back up to what the author of this said,emotions can be a pretty large drive in musical writing.It has been for me,i've only been playing bass for 2 years and guitar for...6 months.

[fendrix420]

man you play with your ears not your fingers ..... i mean comon smarty...never i repeat never let you fingers do the talking and discovering, you play what you hear in you mind and body , not what your fingers tell you to do. i mean sure it might help you comeup witha cool riff, but if you sing a solo and then play it on your axe it will ....will be way better

[TAV]

good lesson
thanks
TAV../

[iml84myd8]

the best riffs you can create come at the most random times.

[<Insanity>]

Great lesson. Most of the stuff I've come up with isn't very hard, but I know that when I listen to music that I like, it can give me some good ideas for riffs. I've also come up with some pretty cool sounding riffs just messing around, or just expressing myself according to my mood. Anyway, great guide. 10/10.

[dcookie87]

im a n00b when it comes to writing songs... but one thing i think that ive found helpful when starting from scratch is K.I.S.S... my instructor always told me this... it means Keep.It.Simple.Stupid....

[singer_johnny90]

very good lesson.
what i do is write down some stuff (doesn't even have to look like it sounds good...) and play it. then i alter it to make it sound better. a few hours of that, and you can have a whole song just from bullsh*t you wrote down! this doesn't always work, but if you start with an at least mediocre song, you can work wonders just by working out the kinks.

great article, keep it up.

[oli_wiltie_2006]

I'm the lead guitarist in a band. I'm trying to come up with a simple metal riff. Help?

[echos_of_war]

help a lot

[travman_401]

Nice lesson! I still dont know why I couldnt think of half of this.

[Matlyburger]

pretty boin readin it all it aint hard to make ur own riff just use power chords

[singurel]

Td_Nights wrote:

guitar_pirson wrote:

nihilus wrote:

i've been dumped alot of times and i'm one of the best at guitar in my year. coincidence. i think not. but great ideas so thanx


How does being dumped alot make you better at playing guitar?



Refering back up to what the author of this said,emotions can be a pretty large drive in musical writing.It has been for me,i've only been playing bass for 2 years and guitar for...6 months.

i don`t think getting dumped is something that you can relate to you guitar skills...although everyone knows that the best songs come out of sorrow and pain! that`s just human nature...

what you forgot:the best sounding stuff comes from your head!sometimes you`ll just think up a few sounds in your brain that will sound great played...these songs have more ofa natural sound and are great!

[pokku]

sometime i try that thing u told unconsciously..and it's really work..nice lesson

[joahnes]

this good advice to all, put some liquid into your mind
so it can help programmed your composotion...

[joahnes]

this good advice to all, put some liquid into your mind
so it can help programmed your composition...

[Supadude]

the thing with playing unconsiensly is that you may not remember the riff

[Jumpy McHop]

you pretty much said, "go make a riff and ta-da! you made a riff"

[bartle]

nice walktrough i find if you sit down and write it out as you play you get better :P

[neoamir]

AMAZING!!!!!1

[sueycide]

I'm trying to use the not think about it method you stated in the lesson, but now that you told me to not think about it, it's all I can think about. DAMN YOU!!!!! 5 stars anyway

[sueycide]

oops I mean 10.

[rockstaraxe]

hmmm, kinda helped, but being dumped doesnt help that many people play the guitar but what do I know...
9/10 anyway

[addvie]

[ayaziji@hotmail]

4*

[bigshoes=]

i get that holes thing alot but his has really cleared it up cheers

[niczcute]

nice... thanks for this...!

[Jasmith]

awesome...gave me some inspiration to rock!!
rock on!!

[Bleed Blue]

i just play...you know, go jam with some friends, get a drummer and a bassist (or maybe even no bassist) and just play...play anything, songs by others, songs you've already made up, and just try to build on them...the main thing is to just play and the riffs will come to you

[sitek]

i thought this was an awesome article. i've been playing for 4 years and everything you mentioned were things i've done to make my own riffs. it really does work and its really good advice. nicely done

[chady101]

i love writing iron maiden style riffs

[premstagg]

as far as making riffs in general go this was really good but i thought it was pretty crappy for making metal riffs.

overall good tho (8)

[Pyro_TheVampire]

Hey. Master OF Puppets was written completely from inspiration. James did not know what a pentatonic scale was or how to use it, or anything about timing notation. Proves there is a rock god!

[ChrisHecox]

great ;esspm

[Sanitarium91]

Ive done many of things you told there before I read this and I got plenty of riffs that sound good... at least to me.

[leadlix4emblem]

nice ideas, i love sweet child o mine (favorite riff ever) and I kind of used numbers 6 and 7 a little bit already. I'll use the rest to make some nice stuff.

[Dnalrafcmb3]

thanks I hope there's more where that came from. =)

5 stars

[starguitar24]

Great lesson really helped me get started to making my own music definitely 5 stars

[troykeenan]

thanks. really helpful! 5 stars

[_fixxer_]

good

[HGF]

This tips are incredible, really, but if someone wants to be very originial, invent your own way to songwrite... I was bored and I rolled a 10-faced dice.. if you play bar chords (metal type, I use them in the drop-C). Roll it and use the numbers given, add diferent things improving, add a tempo, and you've got a song... (May I look like a freak?)

[ikarian-pride]

good lesson
it's pretty handy
thanks dude

[Bigironman]

i really like experimenting to see what kind of riffs i come up with. i can really see how this article will help next time i try to make up something. thank you very much for writting this article.

[odb56]

bassmasta96 wrote:

nice lesson. Are you gay u sound gay? not that i have anything against gay people.

burn in hell with your big fat strings....

[odb56]

oli_wiltie_2006 wrote:

I'm the lead guitarist in a band. I'm trying to come up with a simple metal riff. Help?

just listen to a metalsong and play the chords and notes in a different order....its so easy to make a trivium ascendency-like song....

[CLeprechaun]

Nice lesson.I'm definitely going to try the listening-to-a-song-and-messing-around-with-it thing.Makes a lot of sense to me.

[Deth is iminent]

this lesson is alright but people need to get this
in order to make the riffs yo must first have to be able to do some of the techniques that com standard with the type of music you play
you cant make a decent song the first time you pick up the axe and this article will never remedy that
wanna make good riffs for good songs
then stop wasting time reading how and practice so you can

[Thekillerbob]

stukes 04 wrote:

Boroladuk wrote:

Let it Happen :
the article kinda alluded to it, but never outright said it. the biggest thing in songwriting is theory. if u don't know any theory, your "song" will sound like crap all the time, every song, gauranteed. but if u know the basics (like the dude said, arpeggios, minor chords, scales, etc.) then his advice comes in handy.


Bollux, you dont need to know theory to make a great, only someone who has tried all there life to make a great and never quite could relies on theory. A true song man dont need no theory all he needs is his musical taste and his ears, and an audience to wow....
Take Noel Gallagher, do u think when he first started writing songs he relied on theory, Fact is noel couldnt even read music. Dunno if he can now, but in the start he couldnt.....

Angus Young was another one who was theory illiterate[/quote]

We're forgetting the best of all... Hendrix. Didn't know shit about theory.

[DanceWreck]

Thekillerbob wrote:

stukes 04 wrote:

Boroladuk wrote:

Let it Happen :
the article kinda alluded to it, but never outright said it. the biggest thing in songwriting is theory. if u don't know any theory, your "song" will sound like crap all the time, every song, gauranteed. but if u know the basics (like the dude said, arpeggios, minor chords, scales, etc.) then his advice comes in handy.


Bollux, you dont need to know theory to make a great, only someone who has tried all there life to make a great and never quite could relies on theory. A true song man dont need no theory all he needs is his musical taste and his ears, and an audience to wow....
Take Noel Gallagher, do u think when he first started writing songs he relied on theory, Fact is noel couldnt even read music. Dunno if he can now, but in the start he couldnt.....

Angus Young was another one who was theory illiterate

We're forgetting the best of all... Hendrix. Didn't know shit about theory.[/quote]

You guys here's the thing with theory: Every great song ever has plenty of music theory, scales, chords, progressions, etc in it, backing it up whether the artist of it was too ignorant to learn a little about music theory or not. The difference is, people who know some basic theory and stuff can write good songs that sound right faster. When writing a song, a person with no knowledge of 'music theory' will just take longer trying to hear every random idea that comes into their mind, waiting until they find something that sounds good. Somebody with a bit of knowledge will be quicker to find ideas that sound good, and then only have to spend their time choosing what they particularly like for a piece. Over all, no technically theory is not needed to write a good song, but to ignore it is just a waste of time.

[DanceWreck]

"We're forgetting the best of all... Hendrix. Didn't know s*** about theory"

Wow, Hendrix and others like him knew tons about music theory! He frickin played blues! He wrote so many solos all over 'major pentatonic scales', 'minor pentatonic scales' and other big confusing theory words you might not want to hear, but he used them. Now wether guitar greats like Hendrix actually knew what sclaes he was using, what they were called etc., I personally don't know. The difference in knowing the names of his musical techniques and favorite solo improv. tendencies or not only can make you more efficient, and be able to reference to different parts of your music.

[Cheesepuff]

Infinity stars for this lesson.

[Tylor Pollard]

Awsome. it really opened up som ideas

*****

[guitargrl1314]

that was an awesome lesson i have 2 try this after i get back home! thanks!

[mybandsuks_15]

this helps alot, i usually try to do weird stuff but i dont think it will work.

awsome lesson

[emodead666]

**** yall

[demonmouse500]

Very nice. Don't listen to the people who said it was crap, they're just...well, I don't know. Kudos to you for having the initiative to try to help, and double kudos for actually being able to.

[cic@trix]

nice!! i feLT some of the things uve said here. nice one!!

[slackeracker]

uhhh didnt really tell me anything new

[m1att92]

10/10 dude, nice lesson.

demonmouse500 wrote:

Very nice. Don't listen to the people who said it was crap, they're just...well, I don't know. Kudos to you for having the initiative to try to help, and double kudos for actually being able to.

[Dimster Ds]

wangtangkiki wrote:

1st
What's the difference between break up and dump

I'll give you 17 stars.

The diffrence is a break up is when both people dump each other or something.

Geting dumped is when your boyfriend/girlfriend rings you and says, your dumped, without discussing it

[ross-lovin-rock]

this is awsome!!! i'v been playin for a while and new all about the keys and notes of the scales for playin ur own riffs but this still helped me alot!!! XD nice 1

[urgey_rock]

Hey guys, it's me urgey_rock... I'm in the process of writing more lessons for the site, which I haven't done in quite some time, and I was thinking that rather than writing a lesson on any old topic, I have decided that you, the readers, should decide on the kinds of things that you would like to see in future lessons. So if you have anything that you would like to see, either message me or post something on this lesson. Thanks.

[theholygerbil]

lol, quite cool, liking the relationship advice in the comment section. given you an 8.

[Sonicguitarist]

damn thanx for that lesson now i can finally catch up with my music now

[Walkin_disaster]

not bad

[acid eaters]

great lesson especially for me cause i tend to overthink what i wanna play so ur whole not thinking aboutit and just playing random notes and chords helped and sometime for me i sometimes don't play guitar for days and then i pick it up and start playing these awesome riffs

[mczack]

I am the main song writer for my band and these are very useful tips. I mainly write guitar stuff but I can also use these when i compose for piano, bass and other stuff :

[crazymusicdude]

that was priti good helped me alot lol

[edgeyyz]

you should tab out your riffs

[jamesdjharrod]

whilst reading this i wrote three new riffs.
thanks

[urgey_rock]

I have thought about tabbing some of them as examples, but theres always the problem of plagiarism. I have been wanting to start recording, but I'm pretty low-tech and outta dough at the moment...

[filthylittleboy]

urgey_rock wrote:

Hey guys, it's me urgey_rock... I'm in the process of writing more lessons for the site, which I haven't done in quite some time, and I was thinking that rather than writing a lesson on any old topic, I have decided that you, the readers, should decide on the kinds of things that you would like to see in future lessons. So if you have anything that you would like to see, either message me or post something on this lesson. Thanks.

how about a few tabbed out licks that sound alright, because I'm in a creative rut and I don't really know where to go from here, any inspiration would help

[devilex121]

nice lesson!
the part about keeping your old riffs inspired me to do this awesome masterpiece!

[SCARY09]

good advice to get a start on what u want

[gc cookiedookie]

thnx for help us!!

[Dumb91]

you sir.....you sir....
applause sir....applause....

[ken20008]

very very awesome article.
the only thing he missed out is dropping tunings. Dropped tuning can really free most metal players' minds. I did that and woot ideas ran like fire

[calum_102]

Matlyburger wrote:

pretty boin readin it all it aint hard to make ur own riff just use power chords

ouch. im a n00b and that hurt

[WarriorKlan]

really good lesson man. thanks!

[Winsbury]

good lesson.

these people that say they dont need theory...
i dont know loads of theory. but chord structure and scales is theory. if you dont know them, then your song will sound crap. so noel gallagher didnt nescessarily know how to read music, but he still knew a bit of theory (you dont have to read music to know theory)...

[guido25]

This was a great lesson. 5 stars!

[SGstriker]

This article was epic win.

5 stars for you!

[guitardudechris]

thanks man that helped

[Fezetone_9]

Thanks
It helped a lot.
Best wishes

[sonnyboy_95]

it was good...it helped a little bit...i still don't understand..if your not good at guitar....(not saying anything about me) how are you just supposed to pick up a guitar and start playing....i used to do that and it sounded crappy.... now everytime i do that it sounds the same as I used to.....

[3dd_bggst_fan]

it was helpful. i still will probably never be a song writer

[jpage73]

i learned the hard way good article

[sixwingmortal]

wangtangkiki wrote:

1st
What's the difference between break up and dump

I'll give you 17 stars.

Dude... a "break up" is a mutual decision. Being "dumped" means that the one partner decided to leave.

[ceci_pehuajo_14]

congratulations for the article,,,
You´re very clear!!
Kisses from Argentina!!

[metalheadmogar]

good article

[KinjiroYukihime]

Awesome lesson, I learned a lot. Thnks

[BunnyMach2]

Hey man reali cool, can't wait to try it out!

[aznmissemo]

dude this is an awesome lesson it really helped me on writing riffs.... i can write good lyrics, but nort riffs...

[lutfish]

Hah, whie reading this, especially the part about playing while listening to other songs, I started doing that.. I used to do it alot some time ago, but I forgot about that method or something.. Anyway while reading I did that and made a pretty cool song.. So thanks

[lion eye]

thanx dude,this was really helpful...man thanx alot

[swegitarr]

Jord0013 wrote:

i didn't like your advise. the whole inspiration thing was bull sht. would't they be just spoofs. i say search deep inside yourself, until you find ur own style. dont listen to the gay noob

well those words must have come from a noob-mouth, cuz if you can use your brain you should realize that "noobs" (as you call it...) uses this article as a big inspiration source...

[shreddymurphy]

Not to be a complete *******, but most of this just seems like bullshit. Don't worry about digging deep inside of yourself and playing all emotionally. Just pick the guitar up and ****ing play, you don't have to focus on your emotions for them to show. If your pissed off then it'll show in how your playing. If your sad cause your a pussy and your gf split up with you then it'll show in your playing. Don't worry about that digging deep inside shit and just play. thats how your write, you play.

[shreddymurphy]

2. The "Holes" Method.
I call this method the "Holes" method because it's like this. You make an original riff, or a riff of some kind, try to add to it, but it doesn't go with it, (thus you fall into a hole) but you still think it has potential (you come out of another hole). I have done this many times, although I don't plan to use any of the riffs I can remember. However, this method is powerful, because you are trying to make riffs for one song, and many of your failed attempts become riffs for other songs. One riff I tried to use to complete the "Black Dog" inspired song mentioned above, kind of went with it, but didn't. So now, if I want, I have another riff in my repr