Micro Lesson 143: "D Major" 1950's Doo-Wop Guitar Riff



Welcome to... "Micro-Lesson 143"
 

This Micro Lesson explores a classic 1950's retro guitar style known as Doo-wop. 

Applying triads around a common I-IV-V format, this "D Major" riff is not only a lot of fun to play, but sets-up a very 'happy groove' as well. 

The riff begins from the root of the "I Chord," which is the "D major." A bend-release lick adds the note of "E" above the root tone but bends the tone up into the Major 3rd of the key, which is an "F#."  

The next measure contains a lick that highlights the tones of the IV and V chords of, "G and A," Major. This is done using targeted chord tones that pull in the Root, 3rd and 5th of each chord. 

After a return to the initial riff over our Root chord of "D," we wrap things up with one more lick. The final measures lick targets the Root and the 5th of the "G and A" chords. It behaves well to turn the progression around back to the top for a loop of the changes once again. Enjoy!

Micro Lesson 143: "D Major" 1950's Doo-Wop Guitar Riff