The 30 Guitar Riffs Everyone Should Know
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- Опубліковано 21 лис 2024
- "What is the one riff every guitarist should know?" I'm asking this question to all my buddies over at the NAMM show!
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Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on UA-cam.
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You know you're watching too many guitar tutorial videos when you can instantly recognize every person Paul talked to.
Haha same
yes definitely! 😜
so true
😅
Guilty
Samurai Guitarist
"The point of playing music is to make people happy!" 🎉
Thanks, Paul, for making us happy! 😊
The fact that everyone smiles at the chance of being a part of your videos speaks louder than any amount of subscribers or likes. That's what every musician should strive for, being someone who makes everyone around them happier and better. Kudos Paul, u da real mvp
Great observation. Paul is a wonderful of example of the great benefit of just being a good human.
Tomo is awesome.
I thought the exact same thing...everybody was genuinely happy to see him and pleased to help...
ayy stormblessed kaladin?
Pete and Paul talking about Slow Dancing in A Burning Room is so soulful
And the solo is pure love
So surprised no one said "money for nothing". Great video as always Paul
People have no taste! LOL
course they didn't, the song is about them!
Cause nobody can play that right lol
Cos already everyone knows they need to learn it
I’m can!
For me, the intro to Crazy Train-Ozzy(Randy Rhodes). Timeless riff and great for building dexterity with the pinky finger.
agreed!
Hard to beat that one.
Rhoads
When Pete said "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" I rolled my eyes and thought of course he'd say that. But his explanation as to why was very touching and well thought out! I'm learning it now.
Pete rules. He doesn't feel the need to play a zillion notes, but he sure can if he wants to.
Me too
Me too.
One of my favorites to play!!
It's the only song suggested that boomers don't know. ;)
Happy to be on this video!!!!!
gracias por enseñarme a tocar no seria nada sin tus tutoriales
1.Danish Pete: Slow Dancing... by John Mayer
2.Rabea: Beat It by Steve Lukather (Michael Jackson)
3.Samurai Guitarist: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
4.Rhett Shull: Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
5.Tomo Fujita: BB King phrasing
6.Sean Daniel: Schism by Tool
7.Corey Congilio and Mimi Sounds: Pride and Joy by SRV
8.Nathaniel Murphy: Layla by Eric Clapton (Derek and the Dominoes)
9.Pete Thorn: Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
10.Rob Chapman: Just Got Paid by ZZ Top
11.Rudy Ayoub: Erotomania by Dream Theater
12.Rotem Sivan: Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix
13.Brittany Bowman: Hihgway to Hell by AC/DC
14.Trey Xavier: Blackdog by Led Zeppelin
15.Mick Taylor: Shine On by Pink Floyd
16.Mike Bradley: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
17.Cousin B: Johnny B. Good by Chuck Berry
18.Jake Lizzio: Drive My Car by The Beatles
19.Guitaro5000: For the Love of Money by The O'Jays
20.George Collins: Lost in Paris by Tom Misch
21.San Holo: Mr Brightside by The Killers
22.Perfecto de Castro: Sunshine of Your Love by Eric Clapton (Cream)
23.Guitarraviva and Mike Cole: Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
24.Leigh Fuge: Sweet Child... by Guns 'n' Roses
25.Casper Esmann: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
26.Eddie van der Meer: anything by Tommy Emmanuel
27.Collin Hill: Classical Gas by Tommy Emmanuel
28.Brett Papa: anything by Van Halen
looks like guitarists are now all living in the past
@@jamespitman3357 nah it’s just that guitar music isn’t that popular nowadays so iconic and famous riffs aren’t being pumped out as frequently as they used to
Plus it's far harder to get anything to get into people's subconscious these days and become an iconic riff due to so many ways of listening to music and more music than ever competing for everyone's attention.
@@jamespitman3357 there are some new stuff too. Tom Misch is a good example
Thank you.
The best mixed video I have yet seen on UA-cam. Period.
*Disclaimer: difficulty ratings are based on the skill of Paul Davids.
Oh oh
Any rating over 2 Paul Davids is completely unplayable bye a mere mortal!
Absolutely Love the personal opinions and how how the video was made!! Thank you Mr Davids, thanks to those good people sharing their taste!
It's a blast seeing the different perspectives of what professionals believe are the best riffs that can enhance a guitarist's journey and ability. SO many different answers that give variety and opportunities. Thanks for this one man
few days left, and finally ill get my guitar!!! i waited it for so many years!!! more than 25!! and now the dream comes true!!! I'm so impatient to put my fingers on, and finally play these gorgeous artwork. Thanks a lot for ligth me on again Paul. Ciao!
The tone for each song is simply amazing. It is such a pleasure to listen you play those riffs although some of them might be 'overplayed'. Well, you can never get bored of such great playing!
Great video. I was glad to see that Jake Lizzio is still around, one of the absolute best teachers on UA-cam and with no videos for over a year I was a little concerned.
I was literally thinking this for the last few days and then lo and behold he's on this video, glad to see he's ok
Me too man
Hats off to everyone playing live at NAMM, I would never dare to play in front of SO MANY guitarists ! 😅
Same. I don't even like playing in front of my dad, who's been a multi-instrumentalist for over 65 years. He's in his mid 80s now and can still play sax, piano, violin, guitar and ukulele, all by ear, and pretty damn well.
I'm not sure, I think it could be very interesting though. Why not be there, have a great time with great people and doing your best? Afterwards there could be a chance of people hand you one or another advise to improve yourself. Of course I'd be hella nervous, too! But isn't this the point we want to get over? Improve yourself and talk to people through music. Anyways, hats off to all those musicians! Also thank you Paul, for another great video!
Rob chapman.
Your the man mentioning just got paid, this song just opened and still opening doors for artists to learn how to play and enjoy guitar. That drop d is so sweet and fun to play
Great ZZ Top choice with "Just Got Paid".
Soo many iconic riffs in this video! I've just started learning guitar and I've been working on most of these.
If anyone wants a list, here's what I got. I think there is one missing.
1. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room - John Mayer (5/10) Emotion, control, and touch.
2. Beat It - Michael Jackson - (3/10)
3. Here Comes the Sun - Beatles (uses capo) (7/10)
4. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynrd (6/10)
5. BB King - kind of anything - phrasing using only 2 notes (3/10)
6. Schism - Tool (4/10)
7, 8. Pride & Joy - SRV (2 votes) (7/10)
9. Layla - Derek and the Dominos (6/10)
10. Nothing Else Matters (“nope”)
11. Just Got Paid - ZZ Top (3/10)
12. Erotomaina - Dream Theatre (3/10)
13. Foxy Lady - Jimi Hendrix (5/10)
14. Highway to Hell - AC/DC (2/10)
15. Black Dog (correctly!) - Led Zeppelin (7/10)
16. Shine on You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd (1/10)
17. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (4/10)
18. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry (6/10)
19. Baby You Can Drive My Car - Beatles (3/10)
20. For the Love of Money - O’Jays (3/10)
21. Lost in Paris - Tom Misch (9/10)
22. Mr Brightside - Killers (7/10)
23. Sunshine of Your Love - Cream (2/10)
24, 25. Smoke on the Water (0.5/10) 2 votes
26. Sweet Child O’ Mine - GNR (5/10)
27. Stairway to Heaven - (4/10)
28. Classical Gas - Tommy Emmanuel - (hard - impossible - opinions vary))
29. Jump (chords of opening piano part)- Van Halen (varries) - Jump just the chords to start.
Here Comes the Sun is more like a 4 on this scale, definitely not harder than Layla or Johnny B Goode.
You should compile these riffs into a book of tabs or a guitar course that goes through each riff from easiest to hardest. I think it would be cool to have each person teach each riff too. I would buy that in a heart beat and I bet it would make for a great learning tool. Loved this video.
that's a10/10 idea that i'd love to buy as well, but the amount of licensing required for that would be otherworldly
good idea though, genuinely
More than a feeling by Boston was my favorite album. The harmonies and that special Tom Schultz's unique sound effect is classic!
I was surprised More than a Feeling wasn’t mentioned as well. It even has two classic riffs in one song :)
Tom Scholz is the Rodney Mullen of electric guitar and that should be talked about more
The whole video, I was wondering whether there would be any love for Boston.
Easily best album from the 70s imo. Foreplay / longtime is phenomenal.
More than a feeling is a song, not an album.
Loved the nod to the Philly sound with the O’Jays - when true R&B still lived.
Nice ! most of the selected riffs are the simpler ones, don't need too much to be good.
other good riffs:
Kansas - carry on wayward son
April Wine - roller
Alice Cooper - no more mr. nice guy
Ozzy Osbourne - crazy train
David Bowie - rebel rebel
...I could go on and on, music is great ! 👍
Carry on was on my list.
omg I forgot about Rebel Rebel, I freakin love that riff
Totally agree with Smoked on the water and surprised that (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction was not in the list!
So happy to see Jake Lizzio!!! Dudes channel taught me sooooo much. Sad he isn't posting as much now
His videos are really instructive and really allow beginners and even intermediate players to open up the creative side of their playing. We miss you Jake!
He's also perhaps the nicest of them all
"Here comes the sun" - it's not a riff... it's the actually song you're playing! Really well executed, I might add; so hard to pick out the melody AND strum at the same time.. Very expertly done!
WHOLE - LOTTA - LOVE
Love your work @PaulDavids. I have been watching you for several years. I’m studying with somebody else right now but you’re definitely on the list I’m 68 years old and I am moving out of intermediate Guitar prison . Love your videos and I hope to study more with you as my instructor down the road.❤🎸
paul never fails to entertain us and that is why we love him
Everybody loves Paul because he's such a good human.❤🌍🌎🌏
Loved every minute, reminded me of a song...." I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do, They're really saying I Iove you"
The riff of Drive my car... completely unexpected. What a pleasant surprise!
Summer NAMM time is my favorite time on UA-cam. All my favorite UA-camrs getting together for videos like this.
Shame on me… I only know 28 of these 30 riffs that everyone really should know…
Thank you Paul for inspiring me to be better ❤
Yeah truly shameful
What was Tomo playing at 8:55??
@@saucerfullofzepp4203 his song Cat Walk
Paul only showed 28 so your golden. Maybe Tomo was one making it 29. We have to come up with one for ourselfs, this is the short list.
lols Same here. My bad.
definitely pride and joy! the rhythm is contagious and you move involuntarily while playing
Always love it when Tool gets some love
Who is Tool?
Chapman wihout the dreads definitely caughty me off-guard; I've been out of the loop in this genre for few years, though. Phenominal video man. Loved every second of it.
This was not what I expected, and it is all the better for it! I thought it'd be 'just another' top 30, but it was GREAT that you did it like this. Some self-explanatory ones but some lovely 'odd' choices as well. Well done, Paul.
Green Day, When I come around is a good intro to power chords.
Offspring She’s got issues is also a good one.
Keep yourself alive, Queen.
Zombie, Cranberries
Nancy Boy, Placebo
Creep, Radiohead - for Barre chords
Apache, the Shadows for early stages of using a whammy bar/tremolo arm.
The Drugs Don’t work, by the Verve for expression/emotion
Here comes the sun, for joyful picking.
And for a bass lick, Gone to Pieces by Nik Kershaw.
Run to you, Bryan Adams
One of THE most iconic guitar riffs. Unmistakable when almost anyone in the world hears it.
Or “It’s only love!” 🤩
Agree, top riff, but you can't speak for anyone in the world lol
Yes, what a killer riff. And song in general.
This video is actually perfect. I’m just getting back into guitar after not touching it since high school and I’ve had no idea what to learn, cause I’ve retained enough to be bored playing the basic beginner stuff, but I also need to rebuild my dexterity. This gives me a wide range of stuff to choose from based on what I like, and more importantly, it highlights the skills I’m learning or relearning from each one. Thank you ❤
You are my favourite guitarist. Lots of love from India David sir
Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down
Dammit - Blink 182
Crazy Train - Ozzy
Absolute faves I constantly play
If I may say it without being able to play ANY of those riffs, I think "Slow dancing in a burning room" answers the question for me, and for the same reasons Danish Pete spoke about. Feeling, control, ability to convey emotions. What could one ask more? And it implies technique, knowledge, and pretty much whatever else. 🙂
That said... "Difficulty: impossible" and "Difficulty: Yes" broke me.😅
Loved the video. The questions were totally the "right" questions to ask, and the answers somehow showed what is important for each one of those who answered. Very VERY interesting. 🙂
Thank you a lot. 🙂
See you next time! 🙂
I listen to a lot of thrash metal and industrial metal with my favorite album being ride the lightning, because for some reason that music soothes my brain. But even though I listen to that stuff mostly, here comes the sun never fails to make me happy.
This is a brilliant video. I was not that big on Hendrix until I started learning some of his songs and now I love listening to his stuff. It's not just about learning the riffs, but there's a good chance people may start listening to other artists more and more which is a great thing.
That's actually funny because it's true ;)
Seeing all those faces made me smile each appearance!
This soul food!
As a beginner i loved wish you were here by Floyd and Unforgiven by Metallica. Catchy riffs
Brought a smile to my face. Everyone's united by music!
Thank you so much for uploading! I love seeing the riffs you have to play for us.
hey, tht's Perf de Castro the original guitarist of the seminal Philippine band Rivermaya from the Philippines at 9:05!😍🤩👌🤘
Love hearing all the different answers from so many great musicians. Great video Paul 👌
I've stalled out a little bit lately having spent a couple years learning acoustic guitar mostly by hearing a song that I liked the sound of and following along with the chords/tabs on the Ultimate Guitar app. I don't listen to a lot of rock music, but I do enjoy it and recognize several of these riffs. This video and the answers given are great because A) they sound cool, B) most aren't too difficult, and C) there is some specific learning opportunity and skill demanded in each riff. I've wanted to start learning more lead and rhythm guitar and this feels like the perfect gateway! Thanks!
Thank you, now I got 30 riffs to learn.
The guy at 3:49 is my hero I spent hours trying to remember this song, I swear I hummed it to google 10 times
Did anyone notice that Rudy was in his most natural self?
So cool to watch him play the funny guy and to hear him off character was something else!
Nevertheless, beautiful compilation of riffs. ❤
TRUE!!!
I skipped Rudy's bit.
Did you see the first time he had his name on the bottom left of the screen. Ruby Adobe.
Waiting for your video explaining each one and how to learn it with your good teaching technique as always
Paul, thanks so much for having me in the video! Always great to catch up and hang out! Some great riff suggestions from everyone included... I'm going to learn some too!
Jake Lizzio and Pete Thorn seem so genuinely nice. Nice vid! Love from Valencia.
Brittany Bowman nailed it. My 10 year old just started learning to play. The first thing he learned was highway to hell 🤘
So good to hear guitar played with that smile and that (seems to be so easy) technique !!!
Loved this! What a wonderful way to start my week seeing and hearing what brings so much joy to all those players. Thank you Paul.
Paul is awesome teacher, mentor and knows his craft. Rhett is a good Sailor Man but knows when to set Sail ! God Bless you guys ! LOL Mike Messina / Fellow Jazz Guitarist
Rumble by Link Wray is a killer riff imo. Was suprised that didn't occur on that list
I’d say everyone should know That’ll Be The Day. It teaches you hybrid picking, blue notes, and the C7 shape, which is a good introduction to CAGED
0:21 slow dancing in a burning room
0:41 beat it
1:12 here comes the sun
1:46 sweet home Alabama
2:03 b.b. king phrasing
2:27 schism
2:49 pride and joy
3:27 layla
3:53 nothing else matters
4:26 just got paid
4:51 erotomania
5:08 foxy lady
5:37 highway to hell
6:06 black dog
6:23 shine on you crazy diamond
6:45 smells like teen spirit
7:07 Johnny b Goode
7:28 drive my car
7:47 for the love of money
8:07 lost in Paris
8:29 Mr bright side
9:07 sunshine of your love
9:33 smoke on the water
9:49 sweet child o mine
10:07 stairway to heaven
10:32 classical gas
10:54 van halen
I forget what the book was that my mother bought me but the first couple of pages showed you G, C, and D chords and showed the rhythm for wild thing. I’d fucked around with guitars before but this is what hooked me
Wild Thing was wild!
Paul is warm, genuine and open, so it’s easy to see why he’s liked by so many.
BTW - Surprised to see no Morello/RATM riffs in there!
Loved the "Difficulty: Yes" on VH.
What an amazing idea. What a great community! I also think that all the stuff Henning is doing (bringing YTer together) really is contributing to the overall vibe of "togetherness".
all good suggestions. I wish someone would say "Are you gonna go my way". Its such a rich riff. interesting syncopation, quick bending, fun melody and really tight rhythm to practice
AMAZING Video paul. Love how you edit all your videos along with all the great guitar content
Plenty of favourites on that list!
My warm up list usually includes Hurts so good John Mellencamp, Back In Black ACDC, Sweet Home Alabama Lynyrd Skynyrd, In the Summertime Thirsty Merc. No matter where i'm at, i'll always go back to those. Guess its everyone's preference what to go for :)
Rory Gallaghers opening riff in "Moonchild" live version gives me goosebumps❤😊
So inspired by this video. 30 years of acoustic chords and after this video, straight off to buy an electric. Sooooo cool
Notice how most of them are on the easier side. Shows how the most iconic guitar riffs are often the simplest. You don't always need the flashiest technical flair
Here’s one I haven’t seen mentioned yet: Wasted Years by Iron Maiden. Learned it many many years ago and still use the tremolo picked riff to warm up sometimes
The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin. It stands out amongst every open string tuning pieces.
one of the first songs i learned!
Agreed. It’s one of the most beautiful guitar pieces ever written.
Great piece, but not really a riff
And played in standard tuning (how I first learned it as a child in the 70's) would make it easily one of the most difficult of all of these.
Note: Jimmy didn't play it in standard tuning. Just to be clear, I've known that since I first learned it in standard.
@@noideaforusername123 : Led Zeppelin was the first discography I learned almost entirely. Later I did learn the entire discography of Rush up to Power Windows when I realized all of my originals sounded exactly like Alex, and I had to literally stop listening to Rush for years to correct that mistake. A very hard lesson learned. Unless a person wants to be a clone, it's far better to learn a good number of different styles.
Lots of awesome answers. Kinda surprised no one said Pantera's Walk though. Such a simple riff, but you learn bends, mutes, and get to train your ear for pitch
Loved this so much, thank you! Should have been titled "I, Paul Davids, Can Play Anything" :)
Such a good thing Perf De Castro. A Filipino Musician was there rocking out ....
My personal pick is
“Whole Lotta Love”
Everyone’s heard it
Everyone loves it
And anyone can play it.
Goes to show…there are endless great guitar licks! Keep on rocking!
Nobody asked me but "I Wanna Be Your Dog" by the Stooges.
Say it Aint So - Weezer. So much to learn in one song. Barre chords with hammerons/slides, some introductory leads, double stop bends, an easy but fun solo. And everyone knows it, it's a modern classic song.
I can’t believe nobody said “Sultans of Swing”
Song #31: Bad Penny - Rory Gallagher.
One of the greatest opening Riffs ever.
That's a rip-off of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'The Needle And The Spoon'.
@@NoMoreAsterisks No.
@@keithdaniels7491 😂
Suprised no one said Money for Nothing by Dire Straits...
Maybe not a riff per se. But I implore anyone who plays guitar who wants to go from playing just the rhythm to being more of a lead guitarist to take up playing Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry. The Blues-y nature of the song adds a lot of charm when you just wing it and rock out on the Bb scale and is a great way to learn how to solo properly
Iron Maiden - The Trooper
You'll take my riff but I'll take yours too
And Wasted Years baby!
I love this because it's so many different people's answers across several different genres.
Most I knew, a few I did not. Time to learn something new!
Anything Black Sabbath.
"Victim Of Changes" by Judas Priest..
Learn it, Love It, and Play It."
Stairway is the song that everyone should know how to play but nobody should play
Happy to recognize Mary Spender there too, pity she wasn't "caught for Paul's interview"
Great video. Smiled from ear to ear the entire time
Im agree with the choices of BB king, Chuck Berry, AC DC and Foxey Lady.
Just speaking from my own personal experiences when I first started out playing the guitar, I'd have to agree with Mike Bradley's recommendation of the Smells Like Teen Spirit riff, that one was probably the one single ubiquitous guitar riff of the early-to-mid 1990's that all of the kids were trying to learn.
Your fly is undone in Just got Paid sir, but as always - incredible playing, great video!