Courses

Write a riff

Goal
Write a short riff from the pentatonic box and power chords, then record it.
Time
1 hr 3 min

Steps

  • A riff from the box
  • Power chords
  • Record it

You need: Any guitar (electric with a little drive suits it), and a phone or computer that records audio.

Write a riff

You’ll cover

  • Rhythm first, then 3 to 5 notes from box 1 of A minor pentatonic
  • Power chords and palm muting for a heavier answer phrase
  • Record it over a beat, revise once, keep the take

You need

  • A guitar
  • Something that records audio (a phone voice-memo app is fine)

Exercises

  1. 00 · 3 minInterviewTell your tutor what you know about this topic and what you want from it.
  2. 01 · 20 minA riff from the boxBuild two short riffs from a few notes of the A minor pentatonic box, rhythm first.
  3. 02 · 20 minPower chordsLearn the movable power chord and palm muting, then give your riff a heavier answer.
  4. 03 · 20 minRecord itRecord your riff four times over a beat, listen back, revise once, keep the take.