Quick question for all aspiring guitar heroes.
If you were given a choice between grinding through repetitive guitar exercises or diving headfirst into playing popular guitar riffs ripped straight from iconic songs, which path would you choose?
The answer is pretty obvious, right? Learning riffs from songs is not only more fun, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. You’re learning practical guitar skills while playing music you actually enjoy and recognize.
That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide: 50+ popular songs packed with Easy Guitar Riffs perfect for beginner and intermediate guitar players.
Now, while we say “easy,” some of these riffs might present a slight challenge. But trust us, they’re all achievable and represent some of the most legendary guitar riffs ever created. As a guitarist, tackling these is practically a rite of passage.
Here’s your roadmap to riff mastery:
- Start Slow: Patience is key. Begin practicing each riff at a tempo you can comfortably manage.
- Practice Diligently: Consistent practice, even in short bursts, is more effective than marathon sessions. Gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable and accurate.
- Perfect and Perform: Don’t just learn the notes; strive for perfection. Once you’ve nailed a riff, unleash it on your family and friends. Performing is a fantastic motivator and helps solidify what you’ve learned!
1. Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love – Van Halen
Genre: Hard Rock | BPM: 140 | Released: 1978 | Tabs | Tutorial
Eddie Van Halen. The name alone conjures images of guitar wizardry, and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” is a prime example of his innovative style. This dynamic guitar riff isn’t just a series of notes; it’s a lesson in guitar articulation. You’ll delve into the world of accents, learning how to emphasize certain notes to create that signature Van Halen groove. Palm muting, a technique that adds a percussive, chunky feel, is also crucial to nail the authentic sound. For any guitarist looking to inject some serious coolness into their playing, this riff is a must-learn. It’s arguably one of the most iconic and coolest guitar riffs ever conceived.
e|----------0-1-----3----------------|
B|------1-------1-----3--------------|
G|--------2-------2------------------|
D|----2------------------------------|
A|--0---------------------3~----2-3--|
E|----------------------3------------|Music video
2. Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Genre: Rock | BPM: 105 | Released: 2003 | Tabs | Tutorial
“Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet is a high-energy rock anthem driven by a riff that’s as catchy as it is simple to learn. There’s been some debate about its origins, with comparisons drawn to Iggy Pop’s “Lust For Life,” particularly in the riff and drum pattern. Whether inspired or coincidental, Jet crafted a riff that’s become a staple for beginner guitarists. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and dynamism. You’ll find that this single riff forms the backbone of much of the song, making it efficient and fun to learn. It’s a fantastic riff to get under your fingers quickly and start rocking out.
E|---------------------|
B|---------------------|
G|-------------------5-|
D|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7-5-|
A|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7---|
E|---------------------|
E|---------------------|
B|---------------------|
G|---------------------|
D|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7-5-|
A|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7-5-|
E|---------------------|
E|---------------------|
B|---------------------|
G|-------------------5-|
D|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7-5-|
A|-7-7-7-x-7-7-7-7-7---|
E|---------------------|
E|---------------------|
B|-----7b8r7-----------|
G|---5-7b8r7-5---------|
D|-7-----------7-7-5-7-|
A|-------------------7-|
E|---------------------|Music video
3. Are You Gonna Go My Way – Lenny Kravitz
Genre: Rock | BPM: 129 | Released: 1993 | Tabs | Tutorial
Lenny Kravitz burst onto the scene with “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” a track that feels as fresh and powerful today as it did decades ago. The intro riff is pure rock and roll swagger – a certified classic that’s essential learning for any electric guitar enthusiast. This two-bar riff, rooted in E minor, is more challenging than it first appears. The bends, especially because they are close to the guitar’s nut, require finger strength and precision. Consider this riff a fantastic workout for your fretting hand. Practice it diligently, and you’ll not only master a killer riff but also develop serious calluses and finger strength. For an added challenge, learn the second guitar part, which harmonizes an octave higher with a similar riff.
Main riff
|-------------------------------------------3----|
|-------------------------------------------3----|
|-2-^4-^2-p0-------------2-^4-^2-p0--------------|
|------------2---0-2----------------2---0-2------|
|------------------------------------------------|
|--------------0-------0--------------0----------|
Harmonized riff
|---------------------------------------|
|---------------------------------------|
|------14b15r14-12----------------------|
|---------------------14----12-14--(12)-|
|------------------------14-------------|
|---------------------------------------|Music video
4. Back In Black – AC/DC
Genre: Hard Rock | BPM: 94 | Released: 1980 | Tabs | Tutorial
Is there a more instantly recognizable guitar riff than “Back In Black” by AC/DC? It’s a riff that transcends generations and genres, a true anthem of rock guitar. What makes this riff stand out is its unique construction. It’s not just a melodic line; it cleverly incorporates chords alongside single-note phrases. This blend creates a powerful and driving rhythm that’s both iconic and incredibly fun to play. While the riff itself is manageable for intermediate players, mastering the entire song is a worthy goal. Numerous online resources, like the linked lesson, offer in-depth breakdowns of the full song structure and techniques. “Back in Black” is more than just a riff; it’s a cornerstone of rock guitar vocabulary.
e|-------------------------------------|--------------3-0------------------|
B|------------------3-3-3--------------|--------------------3-0------------|
G|------------------2-2-2----------2-2-|2-----------------------2^(4)`2p0--|
D|-2----------------0-0-0----------2-2-|2----------------------------------|
A|-2-------------------------------0-0-|0----------------------------------|
E|-0-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
e|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
B|-----------------3-3-3--------------|-----------------------------------|
G|-----------------2-2-2----------2-2-|2---------------------------------o|
D|-2---------------0-0-0----------2-2-|2---------------------------------o|
A|-2------------------------------0-0-|0---2-----2-----2-----2-2----------|
E|-0----------------------------------|------4.----5.----6.---------------|Music video
5. Beat It – Michael Jackson
Genre: Pop | BPM: 138 | Released: 1982 | Tabs | Tutorial
Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, wasn’t just a vocal and dance icon; he also knew how to craft a killer guitar hook. “Beat It” stands out with its unexpected hard rock edge, largely thanks to its iconic guitar riff. To truly replicate the original recording’s key, you’d need to tune your guitar to Eb tuning (half-step down). However, for practice purposes, standard tuning works perfectly well. The provided tutorial cleverly teaches the riff in standard tuning, making it immediately accessible. This riff is a fantastic way to bridge the gap between pop sensibilities and rock guitar techniques. It’s a surprising and impressive addition to any guitarist’s repertoire, proving that great riffs can come from any genre.
eb|-----|-----------------|-----------------|
Bb|-----|-----------------|-----------------|
Gb|-----|-----------------|-----------------|
Db|-----|--------5-2----4-|---2-0---0-------|
Ab|-----|------2----------|-----------------|
Eb|---0-|(0)-3------------|---------------0-|
eb|-----------------|-------------|
Bb|-----------------|-------------|
Gb|-----------------|-------------|
Db|--------5-2----4-|---2-0-------|
Ab|------2----------|-------------|
Eb|(0)-3------------|-------------|Music video
6. Breaking the Law – Judas Priest
Genre: Heavy Metal | BPM: 82 | Released: 1980 | Tabs | Tutorial
“Breaking the Law” by Judas Priest is a heavy metal anthem, instantly recognizable by its razor-sharp opening riff. It’s a defining song for the band and a cornerstone of the heavy metal genre, partly thanks to this unforgettable riff. Played in A minor, the riff utilizes a classic heavy metal chord progression: I – VI – VII. Despite its powerful sound, the riff is surprisingly easy to play, making it a great entry point into metal guitar. The real joy of “Breaking the Law” comes from playing along with the original track. It’s a riff that’s pure fun and embodies the rebellious spirit of heavy metal.
e|---------------------------|---------------------------|
B|---------------------------|---------------------------|
G|---------------------------|---------------------------|
D|---------------------------|---------------------------|
A|--0--2--3--0-2--3--0-2--3--|--------0-------0----3--2--|
E|---------------------------|--1--3-----1-3-----3-------|Music video
7. By The Way – Red Hot Chili Peppers
Genre: Funk Rock | BPM: 117 | Released: 2002 | Tabs | Tutorial
Red Hot Chili Peppers are masters of groove, and “By The Way” is a testament to their funky rock brilliance. The intro riff, while seemingly simple, is fantastic practice for developing solid timing and rhythmic precision. It sounds easier than it actually is, and that’s the deceptive genius of it. Guitarists often struggle with maintaining consistent timing, so this riff is a valuable exercise in rhythmic accuracy. The chord progression underpinning the riff is F – C/E – Am. You’ll be playing power chords based on these chords in various rhythmic patterns, making it both a timing workout and a fun exploration of power chord variations.
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-----------------|-----------------|
A|--8--8--8--8--8--8--8--8-|--7--7--7--7--7--7--7--7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-|
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-------------------------|--9--9--9--9--9--9--9--9-|-----------------|---------9-9-7-7-|
D|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|
A|--8--8--8--8--8--8--8--8-|-------------------------|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
B|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
G|-------------------------|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-|-----------------|-----------------|
D|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|
A|--8--8--8--8--8--8--8--8-|-------------------------|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
e|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|
B|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|---------10-10-10-10-|
G|-------------------------|--9--9--9--9--9--9--9--9-|-----------------|-9-9-9-9--9--9--9--9-|
D|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7--7--7--7--7-|
A|--8--8--8--8--8--8--8--8-|-------------------------|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-|-7-7-7-7--7--7--7--7-|
E|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------|---------------------|Music video
8. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
Genre: Rock | BPM: 104 | Released: 2006 | Tabs | Tutorial
Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” is a modern rock ballad with an intro riff that’s perfect for honing your timing and rhythmic feel. Like the RHCP riff, the simplicity of “Chasing Cars” is deceptive. The riff itself isn’t technically demanding, but maintaining a consistent tempo and groove is the real challenge. This makes it an excellent exercise for developing your internal metronome. Fun fact: “Chasing Cars” achieved remarkable longevity, becoming the most played song of the 2000s in the UK. Learning this riff is not just about mastering notes; it’s about developing a solid rhythmic foundation.
e|------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|--9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-|
D|-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|
A|------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------|Music video
9. Come As You Are – Nirvana
Genre: Grunge | BPM: 120 | Released: 1992 | Tabs | Tutorial
Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” is grunge royalty, and its instantly recognizable intro riff is a masterclass in minimalist impact. To play it in the original key, you’ll need to tune your guitar down a whole step to D standard tuning (D G C F A D). While retuning can be a slight inconvenience, it’s essential for achieving the authentic Nirvana sound. However, for practice purposes, standard tuning is perfectly acceptable. The riff’s effectiveness lies in its simplicity and hypnotic repetition. It’s a great example of how a few well-placed notes can create a truly iconic and memorable guitar line.
D|--------||-----------------------------------||
A|--------||-----------------------------------||
F|--------||o---------------------------------o|| x4
C|--------||o---------------------------------o||
G|--------||------0---0---------2-------2------||
D|--0-0-1-||--2-----2---2-2-1-0---0-0-----0-1--||Music video
10. Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne
Genre: Heavy Metal | BPM: 138 | Released: 1980 | Tabs | Tutorial
Ozzy Osbourne, a true legend and one of heavy metal’s founding fathers, delivered an enduring classic with “Crazy Train.” This song is synonymous with high-energy metal guitar riffs, thanks in large part to the legendary Randy Rhoads. The riff’s dark and menacing character comes from its foundation in the F# natural minor scale. The minor scale is a staple in metal music, lending itself perfectly to the genre’s characteristic dark and aggressive sound. “Crazy Train” actually boasts not one, but two fantastic riffs. One is carried by the bass guitar, providing a solid foundation, while the lead guitar riff soars above, creating the song’s signature melody. Learning both riffs provides a great understanding of how lead and rhythm guitar parts interact in metal.
e|------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------------| (x3)
D|------------------------------------------------------------------|
A|-----------4-------5-------4-------2--------------2---------------|
E|-----2-2-------2-------2-------2-------5---4---5-----5---4---0----|
e|------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------------7-------9----------------|
A|-----------4-------5-------4-------5-------7------(12\)-----|
E|-----2-2-------2-------2-------2------------------(12\)-----|Music video
11. Day Tripper – The Beatles
Genre: Pop Rock | BPM: 138 | Released: 1965 | Tabs | Tutorial
“Day Tripper” by The Beatles is a masterclass in riff-based songwriting. The entire song is built around a single, incredibly catchy riff that is arguably one of the most famous guitar riffs ever written. It’s a testament to the power of simplicity in music. “Day Tripper” demonstrates that you don’t need complex arrangements or virtuoso techniques to create music that resonates across generations. This riff is a must-learn for any guitarist, showcasing the brilliance of The Beatles’ songwriting and their ability to craft timeless melodies.
e|-----------------------------|
B|-----------------------------|
G|-----------------------------|
D|-------------2-0---4----0-2--|
A|----------2------2----2------|
E|--0--3-4---------------------|Music video
12. (Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Genre: Soul | BPM: 104 | Released: 1968 | Tabs | Tutorial
Otis Redding’s soulful classic “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” isn’t built around a traditional guitar riff in the rock sense, but it offers a different kind of guitar groove. The song is primarily chord-based, but by creatively connecting the chords with walk-ups and walk-downs, you can create a wonderfully soulful and engaging riff-like pattern. This approach to guitar playing, focusing on melodic chord transitions, is a hallmark of soul and R&B music. Experiment with adding your own walk-ups and walk-downs to chord progressions to develop your own soulful guitar style.
E |-----------------------2L---|--2-----x-----2-----x-------|
B |--------x--------------0L---|--0-----x-----0-----x-------|
G |--------x--------------2L---|--2-----x-----2-----x-------|
D |--------x--------------1L---|--1-----x-----1-----x-------|
A |--------x--------0--1--2L---|--2-----x--2--------x-------|
E |--3-----x-----3-------------|----------------------------|
E |----------------------------|----------------------------||
B |--5-----x-----5--4--3--2L---|--2-----x-----2-----x-------||
G |--5-----x-----5--4--3--2L---|--2-----x-----2-----x-------||
D |--5-----x-----5--4