10 Guitar Riffs For Your Next Lesson
Looking for your next guitar riff to learn? Or perhaps you’re a guitar teacher searching for fresh material to bring into lessons?
We’ve picked out 10 guitar riffs that go beyond the usual suspects. These tracks offer a mix of techniques and musical challenges that will help players develop new skills while keeping lessons engaging.
The best part? Every track featured below is available through the Rockschool syllabus. So, through RiFF, you can access the complete notation, backing tracks and playthrough videos.
“Born Under A Bad Sign” Albert King
A true blues classic, this track has influenced generations of guitar players and remains essential for anyone interested in the blues. Rather than focusing on speed, concentrate on your timing and feel to capture the character of the riff.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 1, 2024
“Come As You Are” Nirvana
This iconic grunge riff is often one of the first recognisable songs many guitarists learn. Because the pattern repeats throughout, it’s important to stay focused and maintain consistent timing rather than switching onto autopilot.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 1, 2024
“Weak” Skunk Anansie
This rock classic combines melodic phrasing with a memorable riff that sits perfectly within the song. The key challenge is the triplet hammer-on and pull-off figure, so it’s worth taking a closer look at this.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 4, 2024
“Is This Love” Bob Marley & The Wailers
A reggae staple, this track demonstrates how simple guitar parts can play a huge role in creating a song’s overall feel. Focus on the slides and rhythmic placement, making sure every note sits comfortably within the laid-back groove.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 3, 2024
“Flowers” Miley Cyrus
One of the biggest pop songs of recent years, “Flowers” proves that a well-crafted guitar part can really carry a track. The challenge is making every note count and understanding how subtle parts contribute to the overall song.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 2, 2024
“Anthem” Rush
Packed with energy and attitude, “Anthem” showcases powerful riffing and songwriting. The main challenge is executing the slides between chord shapes cleanly, while maintaining the momentum of the riff. Not to mention keeping up with the 7/8 time signature!
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 8, 2024
“Born To Be Wild” Steppenwolf
One of rock music’s defining riffs, and it still sounds as powerful today as it did when it was first released. Watch your strumming carefully and make sure those muted notes stay clean and controlled.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 3, 2024
“Life In The Fast Lane” Eagles
Driven by one of classic rock’s most recognisable guitar riffs, “Life In The Fast Lane” remains a staple for players looking to develop confident rock rhythm playing. While it may seem repetitive, maintaining accuracy and consistency is what makes it challenging.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 5, 2024
“Keep On Running” Spencer Davis Group
This opening riff is a perfect example of how a simple guitar part can instantly define a song. To make it convincing, you’ll need a strong distorted tone, and strums that land exactly where they should.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 2, 2024
“Do I Wanna Know?” Arctic Monkeys
Few modern riffs are as instantly recognisable as this opening line, proving that simplicity can be incredibly effective! The notes themselves aren’t overly difficult, but the challenge here is playing the riff with conviction and consistent timing.
Source: Rockschool Electric Guitar, Grade 2, 2024
Ready for more?
If you want to explore the full versions of each piece, you can access them through RiFF, alongside over 6,000 other songs from the Rockschool catalogue.
RiFF is built for students and teachers, giving you access to sheet music, backing tracks and playthroughs all in one place!
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Photo Credit: Wayne Mahy Photography