“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple is arguably one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history. If you’re just starting your guitar journey, learning this iconic riff is a rite of passage. This guide provides a simple, beginner-friendly guitar tab to get you playing “Smoke on the Water” in no time.
The Legendary Riff: Smoke on the Water Guitar Tab
The main riff of “Smoke on the Water” is famous for its simplicity and power. It’s built around just a few notes and is perfect for beginner guitarists to learn. Here’s a simplified guitar tab to get you started:
e|---------------------------------------------------------|
B|---------------------------------------------------------|
G|---------------------------------------------------------|
D|-0-3-5--0-3-5--0-3-5-------------------------------------|
A|-0-3-5--0-3-5--0-3-5--3-0--------------------------------|
E|-----------------------3-0-------------------------------|This tab represents the standard tuning of a guitar (EADGBe). Let’s break down what this tab means:
- e, B, G, D, A, E: These letters represent the six strings of your guitar, from the thinnest (e) to the thickest (E).
- –: A hyphen indicates to sustain the previous note or that no note is played.
- 0: This means to play the open string (string played without pressing down on any fret).
- 3, 5: These numbers indicate the fret number you need to press down on. For example, ‘3’ on the D string means to press down on the 3rd fret of the D string.
To play the riff:
- Start with the D string (4th thickest string).
- Play the open D string (0).
- Press down on the 3rd fret of the D string and play it.
- Press down on the 5th fret of the D string and play it.
- Repeat this sequence “0-3-5” two more times on the D string.
- Then move to the A string (5th thickest string).
- Play the open A string (0).
- Press down on the 3rd fret of the A string and play it.
- Play the open A string (0) again.
- Finally, play the open D string (0) to finish the sequence.
Repeat this entire sequence multiple times to play the iconic riff.
Playing the Verse of Smoke on the Water
While the riff is the most famous part, the verses of “Smoke on the Water” are also relatively simple and use basic chord progressions. For beginners, focusing on power chords can be a great way to play along with the verse. Here’s a simplified chord progression you can try:
Verse 1:
(Am) We all came out to Montreux
(G) On the Lake Geneva shoreline
(Am) To make records with a mobile
(G) We didn’t have much time
You can play along with the verse using Am and G power chords. Power chords are a simplified way to play chords and are perfect for rock music.
Tips for Beginner Guitarists Learning Smoke on the Water
- Start Slow: Don’t try to play it fast right away. Focus on playing the riff slowly and accurately first. Speed will come with practice.
- Use a Metronome: A metronome can help you keep time and gradually increase your speed.
- Practice Regularly: Even 15-20 minutes of practice each day can make a big difference.
- Listen to the Song: Listen to “Smoke on the Water” to get a feel for the rhythm and timing of the riff.
- Break it Down: If you’re struggling, break the riff down into smaller parts and practice each part separately.
Conclusion
Learning “Smoke on the Water” guitar tab is an excellent starting point for any aspiring guitarist. It’s a fun, recognizable riff that will motivate you to keep learning and playing. With a little practice, you’ll be playing this iconic riff and impressing your friends in no time. So grab your guitar, follow this beginner-friendly guitar tab, and start rocking! Explore more guitar tabs and lessons on guitarplayers.net to continue your musical journey.
