Synopses & Reviews
Energizing some of historys greatest rock songs, riffs are fundamental musical components and essential tools for every rock guitarist. This user-friendly book dissects all aspects of 200 guitar-based rock riffs, from Cream and Led Zeppelin to Nirvana and Metallica. It explains how harmonic and melodic elements shape the riff; the importance of integrating a guitar riffs rhythmic patterns with those of other instruments; studio effects that make a simple riff sound vast and majestic; offers illustrations throughout, and more. Plus, readers learn the art of composing and arranging the right riff for each song. Like the authors How to Write Songs on Guitar, which according to Guitarist will not only expand your songwriting abilities but also broaden your musical knowledge, Riffs is a complete guide to using the rich musical resources that help make great rock music.
Synopsis
(Book). This book identifies 30 distinct guitar riff types, and goes on to illustrate them with 150 inspired examples, examining how they have been developed and used by great rock musicians from Cream and The Beatles, through Nirvana and Soundgarden, to Metallica, Limp Bizkit, The Strokes and The White Stripes. The first half of the book analyzes classic rock riffs and reveals the stories behind their creation, supported by illustrations and a 30-track CD of audio examples. The second section shows how to construct great riffs. Readers learn how to shape a melody, integrate a guitar riff with the rest of a song, enhance it with effects, and work with intervals and scales. Includes an exclusive interview with Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones.