Tips For Playing Rock Music On Guitar
What inspires a person to pick up a guitar can vary, but for many, a certain riff or solo in their favorite rock song is the impetus that leads them to want to play the instrument themselves. This is especially true in rock music, where legendary guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Pete Townshend and Eddie Van Halen have inspired countless fans to pick up the guitar and become musicians themselves. In this article, we will leave you some tips for learning to play rock music on your guitar.
One of the most important things for budding rock guitarist to learn about is the power chord. Open chords — those played near the top of the neck, both with fretted and open notes — certainly have their place in rock music, but power chords are far and away the most prominent feature of rock music.
Power chords are formed by pairing the first and fifth notes of the major scale in any key and on adjacent strings. The most commonly used power chords involve using the index and ring fingers, with the index finger fretting one note and the ring finger fretting a note two frets and one string higher. This shape can be used with the index finger on either the low E or A strings and can be moved anywhere up and down the neck of the guitar.
Power chords can also be extended by adding a note one octave higher than the root note (the one your index finger is fretting). If the index finger is on the low E or A string, this extra note can be found on the same fret as the note fretted by your ring finger, but one string higher.
Though power chords are the basis for the rock sound, guitar riffs are the building blocks for rock songs. A catchy riff — a refrain that is repeated at different times throughout the song — is they first step to writing a great rock song. Riffs can include a combination of single notes and chords.
In its most basic form, rock music is played in 4/4 time with a driving rhythm that includes emphasized down strokes on the first and third beats of the measure. This can change depending on the style of rock being played. Punk, for example, is still played with mostly down strokes but typically involves strumming on each beat within the measure. Progressive rock makes use of many different time signatures but still often relies on riffs to propel a song forward.
Guitar solos, often utilizing the blue and pentatonic minor scales, are common in most genres of rock music. Familiarizing yourself with these and other commonly used scales will be critical if you plan on incorporating solos into your rock music.
It would also be wise to become familiar with the many effects used in rock music, most notably distortion. When purchasing a guitar and amplifier, be sure to indicate to the salesman the type of music you’re interested in playing. Certain types of hardware are more useful for certain types of rock music.
Comments
« How To Play An Electric Guitar | Home | Tips For Playing Heavy Metal On The Guitar »
