3 Cool Licks

Written on October 28, 2009 by in Blues, Licks & Riffs
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This video lesson has a few cool guitar riffs that you can use. I always find it fun to learn new riffs, but sometimes you come across a particular riff on a song somewhere that you absolutely love. Ever try figuring out those riffs? It can be tricky.

Using a tool such as RiffMaster Pro can really help, because it lets you slow down the song while keeping the pitch constant. So even if the guy is shredding away like a wood chipper, you can still hear each note slowly and clearly with this software. If you’re into figuring out cover songs, this one is probably worth checking out.


Leave a comment below video and tell me which riff you liked best, and I’ll have more for you next time!

Video Problems? Watch it on YouTube

52 Comments - Leave a comment!
  • Dave Leroux

    I enjoyed these riffs. I am out of work and study all I can find on the internet being that I cannot afford lessons.

  • Mike Merritt

    I have been playing for a number of years but still want to learn. Your tips are quite helpful and I salute you. By the way I haven’t seen a Hagstrom like that one in a long time. Nice axe.

  • Jonathan

    Thanks Mike!!

    A cool thing I found out about that guitar is that it is made out of wood that was reclaimed from Hayward Lake, which is close to where I live, in fact – I go canoeing there quite a bit. Kind of a neat connection. Plus I love that thing… tone, how it plays, looks – the works ;)

  • roger daniel

    another great lesson i travel a lot so i must cram these lessons into a long day of painful practice.. my fingers are almost bleeding !!!! haha but never the less this is good stuff once again !!!!!! as soon as i get over the x-mas financial setback i will definatly order your entire lesson plan. ive played country music for a lot of years, and its taking me a little bit to block that force of habit we will call it to convert to the blues. even though i can see where the two could go hand in hand.???? im also working on the slide at the same time on a different site im anxious to see how all of this comes into play!!

  • carl

    great riffs cant wait for more

  • ChaliQ

    I think I like the 2nd lick the best, then the 3rd & finally the first. The 2nd I think because I find little bass type riffs easier for me to follow maybe because it follows the scale more the 3rd because of the nice stretchs then the 1st because it doesn’t seem to follow the scale like #2 & #3, but I really like the way you say play the chords & then through in a part or all of the riff it seems to become more of a song to me. I used to write all the time & take a basic chord & through in some lifts & tags which changed them to some other chord but I just always said lift here tag there but had no idea that the chord would be a 7th or diminished or anything else.
    I really enjoy your videos & will support them in the future but I’ve just been put on a fixed income due to a disability.

  • Walt

    Thank you — Thats what I like Direct and to the Point…..

    WAl of the`RAPIDS`-`CEDAR`that is…………..

  • Dorothy Masseburg

    how can I see the string closer

  • Jonathan

    Hi Dorothy – try viewing the video in full screen, that should help. The little box in the bottom right of the video will let you do that.

  • jack

    I licked the last one better
    Jack

  • jack

    I learn better I tab

    Jack

  • David

    Hi Jonathan, If I could see a little more closely how you are doing that it would help. I have a hard time following where you are at when you change positions from one fingering to another. I got the last one pretty good and I love it. You make it look so easy, lol but it’s not. :) Thanks so much for the tips! They are appreciated greatly.

  • Jonathan

    Hi David – any suggestions on how I can make it more clear? Different camera angle perhaps? In some of the upcoming lessons you’ll be getting I think the angle has improved. You can also make the video fullscreen which might help.. just click the button in the bottom right of the video.

  • David

    Hey Jonathan,
    I guess there are all kinds of angles for the camera but imagine yourself being a foot shorter and the camera at the same height it is at now. I would be looking more at your fingertips than at the tops of your knuckles and I could see exactly which string you are placing your fingers on. Does that make any sense? I’m not saying that you aren’t doing a good job with the camera. I’m just making a suggestion. The camera clarity is Great and after I opened it up it was even better. Thanks for listening to what I had to say and getting back to me.

  • Jonathan

    Hi David,

    So you’re saying to put the camera higher, looking downwards, right? That’s a good idea – I’ll give that a shot next time I’m recording. Thanks much!

  • Dave B

    Hi Jonathan
    Thanks for the riffs,i already had been playing the second one but could not find where to fit it in,so when you played it between chords it all fell into place.So now i will be using that as much as i can.Sounds good.Thanks again.You are a great teacher..

  • Jonathan

    Hey Dave, glad to hear it ‘clicked’ for you! Cheers.

  • Patrick

    Hey J. Cool stuff, Love the Second lick the most but all three are great. Wonder if when you video the riffs that you give us could you PDF the TAB (or the music)just to make us work.
    Great stuff. Keep it up.
    Patrick

  • jimmy

    hello J,
    U rock bro. I studied music many years ago. Went to college and gained some theory knowledge but then got side tracked away from music. The great thing is that the love and fascination of music only got stronger over the years. Now I’m back at it and learning guitar and keyboard. Mostly teaching myself and taking advantage of what people like you have to teach.I have a completely different mindset now about learning music.I enjoy the process in a whole different way. I seem to be grasping ideas and concepts at a much more satisfying level and making progress alot faster than i did when i was in college.There isn’t anyone aspect that i enjoy more than another. Love it all. I feel very fortunate that this time around I have the internet and that there are amazing people out there such as yourself to learn from and be inspired by. When the time is right I will kick the money to take your course. Looking forward to it and also to help support you and the great work you do by taking the course. Thanks again and best wishes.

  • Don

    Hi Jonathan,
    I liked the third riff the best, I’ve been playing for a long time and I have played riffs like thes before but it never hurts to revisit.
    Don

  • Jose Lopez

    Hey Jonathon,
    Just writing a few line to let you know that I’m really glad to have found your website. It has given me a lot to use and a lot to think about in my quest to really learn to play my guitar.
    Again, Thanks

  • Bob Shannon

    Hey Jonathan….These guitar tips are fabulous! Could find a way to isolate your left hand with a camera close up? This will allow me to see your finger positioning more clearly. I am learning a great deal from your guitar tips. My playing is improving at a faster rate. Once again….thanks

  • John Hutchinson

    Hey Jonathon, I loved this Video. It’s great to see a little riff thrown in amongst some chords (Riff 2) but I love Riff 3, you could easily write a hundred Blues songs around that riff and make them all sound cool.

    Many Many Thanks

    Johnno from Oz.

  • David Tuson

    Hi Jonathon
    I am pleased that I found you on the web! I have been playing for over 55 years mainly rhythm and over the past six years coping Hank Marvin of which I can play most of his music but I never really knew what I was doing I play by ear and have always had a desire to play blues and understand what I am suposed to play but never really understood how to your lessons have really started to give me the lead that I require
    By the way I have purchased Riff Master and would recommend it to anyone who has difficulty in getting to grips with certain musical parts
    I tried for over one year to work out the ending to one song without success but with Riff Master I soon had it figured out
    Mant thanks once again
    Best wishes for your continued excellent work
    David

  • Jonathan

    Thanks David! Yeah, Riff Master is a great piece of software…

  • nick

    Im probably the weird one here i actually take guitar lessons but they are only once a week and since i am on summer break i need some other stuff to play with during the week and this helps. By the way i like the first lick best i love bends.

  • Ron Towle

    I liked the 2nd one best. Oh yes-I learned the Last dance wth Mary Jane,a nice one,not too difficult to learn

  • Dave W

    Sure wish you furnish the tabs.

  • gster

    Thx Jonathan Good lesson. I’m beginning to see why its important to know your scales.Its easier to play when you don’t have to think.

  • Jonathan

    Right you are my friend… it’s pretty hard to play football when you’re always thinking hard about how to run.

  • http://www.eldoren.com Gordon

    I think I like the 2nd one the most. Followed by the 3rd. I enjoy watching videos that show HOW you can incorporate that riff between power chords and other riffs.

  • Helen Hultman

    Dear Jonathan:

    Your riffs are GREAT! I wish I had the finger/hand strength to employ them as I actually play a folk and classical guitar. However, I still enjoy your read-outs and your videos and maybe someday I shall be buying an acoustical guitar. Thank you.

    Sincerely, Helen

  • bruce

    l liked the 3rd one the best , just a more unique sound , How about showing us that riff in cuts like a knife . That is an exotic sounding riff also.

  • Nash Fakalupe

    yes i like the 3 riff

  • Craig

    Great lessons for the guitar…do you play the ukulele?

  • http://www.GuitarTipsWeekly.com Jonathan

    No… I don’t play ukulele, though I wouldn’t mind learning it, along with the mandolin.

  • don

    hi i like the jam tracks that slow blues number i nailed it at leased i thought i did thank you so much i wish the figers of the chords was plainer each book i have shows a differate pattern i like to do it like its shown on the video

  • joey Rayhart

    Cool beans dude.I dont know exactally when it started inproving, great learning wt m playing has become more personally satisfying since I started peacticing the scales and riffs youve been showing me. As I havent got a job at the time

  • Bill

    thanks very nice

  • Nola Darling

    Greetings J;

    My problem with you and most internet YouTube instructors is this…. You all try to instruct the student before you play the song. That is very, very frustrating!!!!! First play the tune! That way the student knows what the song sounds like. Then you proceed with the instruction. It’s as simple as that. In my school choir. The teacher would always play the new piece of music first, that way all of us new what was expected. Then we got excited and couldn’t wait to learn our individual parts. Bass, tenor, alto and so on. Ok John. Do this and watch your sales increase.

    Nola

  • http://www.GuitarTipsWeekly.com Jonathan

    Hi Nola… I’m not actually teaching a song in this particular video.. I’m simply teaching a few riffs/licks…

  • billy

    Hi Jon.I like the favorit one is #3. I would like to know
    what kind of guitar is that you are playing in the video I
    like it
    Billy

  • Jonathan

    Hi Billy, that’s a Hagstrom Super Swede… great guitars.

  • http://guitartipsweekley David Deam

    loved the riffs there great for practice

  • http://www.aol.com russell barrett

    those bends were a little much to handle

  • jayanth

    I learnt something special from this tip.Thank you dear sir.

  • http://None California Jack

    I looked at an older Blues Jam Track you emailed and saw
    you with a guitar strap with Big Music Notes on it.
    Well at least you have one interesting one, but it could have been from a music store. Is it good leather? Hope so.
    You still need more for those other fine guitars you have.
    I have one for each and make them custom for friends.

    Thanks Mr. I IV V
    Hope we’ll be speaking soon.

    Jack

  • http://www.GuitarTipsWeekly.com Jonathan

    Hey, yeah that strap is good leather – but you’re right, it’s from a music store.

  • geoff

    hi Jonathan i loved the pentatonic video your fingers look like a spider crawling all over the fret board great and thanks

  • Glenn

    Awesome riffs. Wonderin’ if you might think of a course on the “Caged” system sometime. Would buy it immediately!!!
    Thanks Jonathan.

  • dwayne oxner

    I didnt really have any favorets i really liked all three thought they were really cool. thanks

  • ron Towle

    Nice tips J,I find I can do them but awkward-obviously need much practice to play them smoothly- Thanks!