Over the last few weeks, you’ve been diving into the exciting world of classic rock guitar riffs. From the mysterious sounds of the Peter Gunn Theme to the heavy power of Iron Man, you’ve built a repertoire of riffs ready to impress. Now, in this lesson, we’re tackling a riff that’s pure rock and roll energy and instantly recognizable: the iconic sound of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”! If you’re eager to learn I Love Rock And Roll Guitar Tab, you’re in the right place. This lesson will get you started on playing this legendary riff and understanding how guitar tabs can unlock countless songs for you.
What Exactly is a Guitar Riff? Let’s Rock Refresher!
Just a quick reminder: a riff is like a catchy, short musical phrase that repeats throughout a song. Think of the most memorable parts of your favorite rock anthems – chances are, you’re humming a guitar riff! The best riffs are singable, easy to remember, and totally infectious. In our previous guitar lessons for kids, you explored “soundalike” riffs for classics like “Smoke on the Water” and “Seven Nation Army.” This time, we’re getting closer to the real deal with a riff that echoes the spirit of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Guitar Lesson: Channeling the Spirit of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” on Guitar
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” is a song that screams rock and roll history. While Joan Jett’s version is the one we all know and love, the song actually started with a band called The Arrows back in 1975. Alan Merril, the lead singer, wrote it as a direct, energetic response to the Rolling Stones’ more laid-back “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It!).” Joan Jett’s connection to the song is awesome: she saw The Arrows perform it on TV while touring with her band, The Runaways, an all-girl teenage rock group. Talk about inspiration!
Joan Jett first put her spin on “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 1979 with some members of the punk legends, the Sex Pistols. But it was the 1981 re-recording with her band, the Blackhearts, that launched the song into the stratosphere. It’s true what they say – third time’s the charm! Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” dominated the Billboard Top-100 chart, holding the number one spot for an incredible seven weeks.
This powerhouse single went platinum, meaning it sold over two million copies! And the recognition keeps coming – Joan Jett’s iconic version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016. Even pop superstar Britney Spears recorded her own version of this rock anthem on her 2002 album, Britney, proving its timeless appeal across genres.
Joan Jett performing I Love Rock N Roll with electric guitar
Image: Joan Jett passionately performing “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” with her electric guitar, embodying the energy of the song.
Decoding Guitar Tab: Your Secret Weapon for Learning Songs
Guitar tablature, or guitar tab for short, is like a simplified musical language made just for guitarists. It’s an easy-to-understand way to learn chords, melodies, and entire songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. If you’re writing your own music, guitar tab is also fantastic for sharing your ideas with other musicians. For learning i love rock and roll guitar tab, it’s going to be your best friend.
The lines in guitar tab represent the strings of your guitar, and the numbers on those lines tell you which fret to press down. Now, here’s a little trick to remember: the string order in tab is a bit opposite of how you might expect. The thickest string, the low E string, is at the bottom of the tab, and the thinnest string, the high E string, is at the top. Once you get used to this, reading guitar tab becomes second nature.
Ready to Rock? Find Your “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” Guitar Tab and Start Playing!
Now that you know a bit more about the history of “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and how guitar tabs work, you’re ready to find the i love rock and roll guitar tab and start learning the riff! A quick online search for “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll guitar tab” will lead you to tons of websites offering tabs for this song. Look for tabs that are clearly laid out and easy to read, especially if you’re just starting out with tabs. Websites like Ultimate-Guitar, Guitar Tabs, and Songsterr are great resources for finding guitar tabs for almost any song you can imagine, including, of course, i love rock and roll guitar tab.
Learning to play “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” using guitar tab is a fantastic way to build your guitar skills and learn a song that’s guaranteed to get everyone rocking. So grab your guitar, find some i love rock and roll guitar tab, and get ready to unleash your inner rock star!
GET A BLACK BELT IN ROCK!
The Rock Dojo provides award-winning, beginner-friendly guitar lessons for kids in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Lake Oswego. Want to know more about our belt system (it’s inspired by karate – as you get better, you move up belt levels!). Check out the Rock Dojo FAQs. Have questions about guitar lessons for your kids? Call us at (503) 484-6417.
