Playing Rock Guitar

Playing rock guitar is a big undertaking (but a worthwhile, enjoyable and very rewarding undertaking).

I decided to learn to play guitar because I wanted to play the rock songs of the bands I loved to listen to. If I am being honest I also wanted to be the guitarists in these bands too. I always loved the rock riffs and lead guitar behind the singing and over the rest of the band. Take any band, you can always name the singer and the.... Guitarist. Brian Johnson and Angus Young (AC/DC), Bono and the Edge (U2) etc.

I started off playing the 3 note riff to the Rolling Stones, Satisfaction. I then learnt a few powerchords and learnt some rock riffs like, Deep Purple, Smoke on the water, The Kinks, You really got me. I picked uo some stuff from mates and other people who messed around on guitar. I kinda got stuck then know a few major chords that I could strum (played a bit of Travis, Oasis and so on) and few more riffs out of other songs.

I found it hard to progress beyond that. I found this very frustrating. Once I started taking a structured approach with guitar lessons I progressed rapidly.

This is a basic Playing Rock Guitar lesson so here is simple guitar rock tab here.
It is all based around two finger Power chords so is easy enough for a beginner on guitar to play.

I have it in a text based format below:

This riff is easier to play using only one finger to get you the feel of the riff before doing the chords.
Tablature Riff
e |---------------------------------------------------|
B |---------------------------------------------------|
G |---------------------------------------------------|
D |---------------------------------------------------|
A |---------------------------------------------------|
E |--1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3----|
Use your first finger. Slide up and down between notes.

When you have mastered that, use two fingers. Your first finger on the E string and third on the A string as a powerchord.
Again slide up and down between the first and third frets with both fingers this time.
Rock Guitar Lesson Tablature Riff Chords
e |---------------------------------------------------|
B |---------------------------------------------------|
G |---------------------------------------------------|
D |---------------------------------------------------|
A |--3-5-5-3-5---3-5-5-3-5---3-5-5-3-5---3-5-5-3-5----|
E |--1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3---1-3-3-1-3----|

If this does not display properly there is a picture format of the guitar tab in the box below this.

Get some distortion or overdrive on your guitar amp for this riff to get maximum power.
You can play the riff with downstrokes or alternate as you wish. Slide between the 1 and 3 each time.
Play the 1 3 3 1 3 steady, evenly and smoothly and then pause, dampen the chord before repeating.

Once you master this set of riffs, try some more Playing Rock Guitar lessons.

Thanks,
Steve.

I have some guita related books up on scribd.com.
Scribd is wonderful resource. It is a huge collection of eBooks published online by different people including myself (under SteveRockGuitar). You can browse the site and read my books. It is also free to register and download the books.

This one is on the Iron Maiden Guitar, Scribd Most Expensive Guitar story

This one is for my other website Scribd PlayingRockGuitar.com Introduction.

I hope to have two short guitar tab books up soon and will post the links here also. So be sure to check back.

Usually I play the electric with a dirty or distorted sound for rhythm. I do give it more mellow effect laden sound for lead riffs and sometime a clean sound for picked parts. I am standing up with the lead going into my multi-effects pedals and then into my amp.

I also play the acoustic. I find it handy to just reach for it and play some rock riffs. For this I just sit around on a chair or the couch. I like to belt out a few 70's and 80's riffs on it and do some clean picked chords. I take the acoustic playing less seriously than when I play the electric, I just belt out the riffs. This more relaxed attitude can help me improve my rock playing as I do not worry about being precise. Playing rock guitar is meant to be fun and chaotic anyway.

What do you like to do?

Here is the official Press release for the launch of the playing rock guitar website www.PlayingRockGuitar.Com.

The press release looks really good with the guitar picture and video. PRLog.com did a really nice job on it. It gives the history of the website and the aims (to help people to learn to play rock) and the unique angle my site offer (I give a lot of information on how to get the right sound).
I have a link to the release below if you want to check it out.

Click to see Struggling with Playing Rock Guitar, the Solution is here..

Worth reading it to see the quotes from your truly. :-)

Hope you enjoyed it.

I have built a hubpage with tips to help you learn to play rock guitar. Also has links to useful playing rock guitar resources.

There is an exclusive beginner tab lesson on the hubpage.
This tab riff can be played by a total beginner at first. Then when you master it, it is played another way to increase difficulty and give a little step up on your guitar playing ability.

Click on the link below to visit and check out the hubpage.
Playing Rock Guitar Hub.

Hope you find the hub useful.