“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple is arguably one of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock history. Instantly recognizable and immensely satisfying to play, it’s a must-learn for any aspiring guitarist. If you’re looking for easy guitar tabs for “Smoke on the Water,” you’ve come to the right place. This guide will provide you with simple and accurate tabs to get you playing this legendary riff and even some parts of the song quickly.
The Iconic Riff Tabs
The main riff of “Smoke on the Water” is surprisingly simple, making it perfect for beginners. It primarily uses power chords and follows a straightforward pattern. Here are the guitar tabs for the iconic riff:
e|---------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------|
D|--0-3-5--0-3-5--0-3-5--3-0-------------------------------|
A|--0-3-5--0-3-5--0-3-5--3-0-------------------------------|
E|---------------------------------------------------------|Let’s break down what these tabs mean:
- e, B, G, D, A, E: These letters represent the six strings of a guitar, from the thinnest (e) to the thickest (E).
- Numbers: These numbers indicate the fret you need to press down on the corresponding string. ‘0’ means playing an open string (without pressing any fret).
- Hyphens (-): These represent the duration of the note. In this tab, they mostly indicate moving between notes.
To play this riff:
- Start with the D string (4th string from the top).
- Play the open D string (0).
- Move to the 3rd fret and play the D string (3).
- Move to the 5th fret and play the D string (5).
- Repeat this sequence: 0-3-5.
- Then play 3rd fret on D string and then open D string (3-0).
- Repeat the entire sequence six times to complete the iconic riff.
This image illustrates a power chord on a guitar, similar to the shapes used in the “Smoke on the Water” riff.
Playing the Verse (Simplified Chords)
While the original song uses more complex chord voicings, you can easily play along with the verses using simplified power chords or basic chords. Here’s a simplified chord progression that captures the essence of the verse:
Verse Chords: Am – G – C – D
You can play these as power chords or as standard open chords depending on your skill level and desired sound.
- Am (A minor): A simple minor chord, often used in rock and blues.
- G (G major): A fundamental major chord, bright and uplifting.
- C (C major): Another essential major chord, commonly used.
- D (D major): A major chord that resolves nicely in this progression.
While the provided mandolin tabs in the original article offer a different perspective, focusing on guitar tabs makes this song accessible to a broader audience on guitarplayers.net. Learning “Smoke on the Water” is a rite of passage for guitarists, and mastering this iconic riff is a fantastic starting point. With these easy guitar tabs, you’ll be playing this classic in no time. Keep practicing, and enjoy the journey of learning guitar!
