Micro Lesson 170: "A Major" Pop-Rock Riff
This Micro Lesson Breaks down a Pop-Rock Riff in the key of "A Major."
The riff is based off of an open "A" string and operates in two sections. The first section is a two-bar phrase that applies double-stops off of the 4th and 3rd guitar strings. The two-note harmonies produce ideas of "A, E and D" harmony concepts. A turnaround line takes the phrase back to the top so the phrase loops.
In the second half of the riff, we start with a modal interchange chord of, "G Major." The harmony for this chord appears as an arpeggiated idea and drops into an inversion of a "D Major" chord with it's Major 3rd (F#) in the bass.
The turnaround for this section comes off of an, "E Chord" and applies some Pentatonic Scale to highlight a lick for the loop.
Overall, the riff is fairly straight-forward and won't require a ton of work to develop. Memorize the fretting locations and use a metronome or drum machine to build speed. Enjoy!
Micro Lesson 170: "A Major" Pop-Rock Riff
Categories:
