Riffage Lesson

Hay Gmc! Welcome to my first "RIFFAGE LESSON". In this lesson we're going to look at some "gallop" riff ideas in the style of bands like Bullet for my valentine and Trivium. I've used an example from one of my bands' tracks called "OUT OF HERE" to help you improve on this technique, as well as your own riff writing style.

Normally, the SOUTHWORLD tuning is drop D tuned a semi tone down. (From low to high C# G# C# F# A# D#) But for this lesson I have recorded it in standard drop D tuning. (From low to high D A D G B E)

I have included the full band track in the backing tracks for you! Just remember to tune correctly if you want to jam with the band track. (From low to high C# G# C# F# A# D#)

This lesson technique wise, focuses on Alternate picking, string skipping, some vibrato and is based around the A natural minor scale. Here is the main scale shape used in the lesson.

A natural minor/A Aeolian mode
Scale formula from root note: I II bIII IV V bVI bVII
A B C D E F G
*Root note

e|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|
G|----------------7-9-10---|
D|--------*7-9-10----------|
A|-7-8-10------------------|
D|-------------------------|

The backing tracks include a double of the rhythm parts for you to play with, only difference is the backing guitar plays the low verse harmony.

Tempo is 185 BPM

Practice makes perfect!

Rockin'
Ian