Top Notch Guitar Licks Spanning Decades, From the 70s to the Present
In the world of rock music, some guitar riffs have become synonymous with their respective decades. These iconic melodies, often catchy and easy to remember, have left an indelible mark on the genre. This article will explore some of the most influential and beginner-friendly riffs from the 1970s to the 2010s, each offering a unique learning experience for aspiring guitarists.
The 1970s: Iron Man by Black Sabbath
Kicking off our journey is "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath, a simple yet heavy riff that has become a staple in the world of hard rock. Its straightforward power chords and clear notes make it an ideal starting point for beginners looking to learn power chords and timing. With free downloadable tabs widely available online, this riff is easily accessible for those just starting their guitar journey.
The 1980s: Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
Moving into the 1980s, we come across the melodic and moderately paced riff from Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child O' Mine." This riff serves as a great exercise for alternate picking and note accuracy, helping beginners to develop their finger dexterity and precision.
The 1990s: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Representing the 1990s is "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. This grunge classic features repetitive power chords with straightforward rhythm patterns, making it a beginner-friendly choice for those looking to explore the genre.
The 2000s: I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor by Arctic Monkeys
As we enter the 2000s, we encounter the energetic and catchy riff from Arctic Monkeys' "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor." This riff uses basic chord shapes and rhythm, making it an excellent choice for beginners looking to develop their skills while playing a fun and upbeat tune.
The 2010s: Elephant by Tame Impala
Rounding out our list is "Elephant" by Tame Impala. This heavy fuzz riff emphasizes groove and simple repeating patterns, offering beginners the opportunity to practice their tone control while playing a challenging yet rewarding riff.
Additional Details
Tabs for all these riffs are widely available for free on popular guitar tab websites like Ultimate Guitar or Songsterr, as well as video tutorials on YouTube and TikTok. Many beginner-friendly lessons also break down these riffs step-by-step due to their cultural significance and relative ease. Some riffs from the 70s that changed guitar playing foundationally (e.g., Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”) are a bit more difficult, but beginner versions or simplified tabs exist extensively online.
Notable Mentions
- Killing in the Name, a rap-rock song by 90s group Rage Against the Machine, features a percussive and funk-influenced riff that is easy to learn due to its simple power chord structure. This riff is also an excellent introduction to palm-muting, a guitar technique where the player uses the palm of the hand to mute the strings.
- Eminem's Lose Yourself features an iconic guitar riff with a simple power chord structure that's easy to pick out, and it also serves as an introduction to the staccato playing style.
- Seven Nation Army, an iconic riff by Jack White and his band The White Stripes, is best known for its simple rock arrangements and production style.
- Rope, a challenging riff from the Foo Fighters, combines challenging rhythms with fast alternate picking and interesting chord structures, making it a worthy goal to learn after mastering the other riffs on this list. It also features polyrhythmic themes in the intro section.
With this collection of iconic guitar riffs, beginners can embark on a musical journey through the decades, learning from some of the most influential and memorable melodies in rock history. Happy strumming!
The music distribution of these iconic guitar riffs offers beginners an opportunity to learn from entertainment legends of various decades, each offering a unique guitar learning experience. Whether you are practicing power chords with Iron Man by Black Sabbath, developing finger dexterity with Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses, or exploring grunge with Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, these music pieces are easily accessible with free downloadable tabs and video tutorials available online.
