Riff writing

[Gabriel Perez]

What are some cool things that you've done/things you have found that have helped you write cool riffs? I have found playing to an arppegiator has given some really cool riff ideas

 

[Jesse Salmons]

Honestly i do my best riffage when i dont have my guitar! If im listening to a song, ill pop off a cool melody i think complements the song, and from there i get cool riff ideas + vocal melodies!

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I found learning Riffs from your Favorite Bands helpfull. Gives you a good Idea of how to move around the Neck in a way that Sounds good

 

[Calvin Phillips]

You could learn your favourite songs and riffs but honestly a lot of my riffs come from jamming the theory I learn. From there comes the melody and then the motif after. Which leads right into the chord progression.

 

[Conor Mason]

There are so many ways...I have found that when I am just playing and goofing around on the guitar, great riffs will just come. Other times, I will pick up a different guitar I own that has a totally different sound or tuning and they will come that way. I also echo listening to as much music as you can, jam along to your favorite artists and just play. When you are having fun and not thinking about writing a riff in particular, the inspiration just hits in my experience! hope that helps

 

[Nocturne]

Playing riffs you like to understand how they are built and knowing a little bit of theory like major and minor scale helps a lot. And listening to a lot of songs you like, repeat them, check some tabs, try to understand what's going on in the music and on the neck.

 

[Calvin Phillips]

Just remember too a riff doesn't have to complicated. Sometimes a bend followed by a prebend on the same note is all you need. (Check my brain by Alice I chains).