How to Turn CHORDS Into RIFFS!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching this video and learning how to turn your chord progressions into dope riffs! What do you want to learn next?!

[@t3hgir]

arpeggio inversions? you might have a video on that already though :)

[@michaelmuscato1093]

Outro solo to VH unchained?

[@unluckyman0087]

Floyd rose setup 👌🖤💜💚

[@bradsims7089]

I'm new to long hair and my pony tail/man bun game are a hot mess. Your hair is generally on point. I could use some wisdom.

[@patrikalos5301]

How to make an effective and not mind numbingly boring practice routine

[@CamRebires]

Ben is one of the few guys who kept that feeling of not trying to sell you something through all these years. Sure, money has to be made, but keeping that quality deserves a lot of praise

[@BenEller]

Thanks very much! Yeah I’ve never wanted to get into the billboard business.

[@vethwynwetfeather]

@@BenEller I don't know about that....I mean you was pushing that grunge pedal for a minute. 😋🤘 #SkankBanger

[@MichaelJeffrey]

The greatest salesman are the one's who don't need to sell you anything. You WANT what they're offering... 😊 I'm sure Ben would say "no way. I'm not a salesman!" Unfortunately, that makes him even better in my book. 👍😊

[@chowderwhillis9448]

@@MichaelJeffrey yeah like Rick Beato who his “lessons” aren’t for beginners but people already pretty good understanding of music theory so u gotta buy the Beato Book!! but with Ben’s lessons you just need to know how to hold the guitar and you’ve got it. I’ve learned more from Ben than any other person besides my guitar teacher. I don’t mean to diss another guy tryna make music and money but just seems dishonest to me.

[@miketransporter5638]

Who needs money when u can rock guitar like uncle Ben 😏

[@sagig72]

Hi Ben, great lesson! I also many times am having this challenge of how to solo over chords. I think one thing that can REALLY HELP is if you teach a solo, but not from a note-for-note perspective like many channels, but more from the chord progression perspective. So... for example: if you can do Hotel California and teach the solo but highlight where the chords changes are, why the notes function as they do over these chords, how the solo works out the notes changes during the chord changes ... all of that stuff. This will help dudes like myself tremendously. This is something that's really difficult for me to do and learn. So, I can watch channels that teach this solo, I can even play this solo, but I find it hard to visualize the chords as I play the solo and instead I play the riffs out of memory, but that feels like I don't learn anything and I just memorize stuff, vs. if I could see the chords and understand what changes are taking place then I'd understand the solo a whole lot better. Does that make sense? Do you feel it's something you can (and want to) do? By the way, perhaps you can run a poll asking if people want/don't-want that type of stuff and see what the response is like before you make it in order to be more certain people want it and not just me :) I hope it helps. I love your channel man. I apologize for the long comment. will much appreciate your reply and thought.

[@14219austin]

Hey just curious seeing as you commented this 2 years ago, have you learned anything since then? Or found any good videos you recommend?

[@14219austin]

I’m kinda in the same boat now

[@tejas9353]

Finally your video showed up in my subscriptions tab, I think the issue is resolved now🤘

[@t3hgir]

same

[@BenEller]

Glad to hear that!!!

[@vethwynwetfeather]

Same here as well. 🤘

[@C-G585]

For the record you've been blowing up on mine.

[@CyberDocUSA]

Green Acres is the place to be, homey! So I loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly... Hills, that is (oh wait, I'm mixing metaphors, TV shows, songs, and my corpus callosum just hemispherically combusted as a result of synaptic overload). I like that you're an intelligent and gifted player who's dedicated to helping others without being diminutive or condescending in any way. You're slick and appreciated with your quick, subtle, and often obscure references (no bromo). Plus, you're just a friggin' monster player! Thanks for what ya' do.

[@SuperBrett17]

Geez i’ve been trying to figure out the right video to answer what i couldn’t understand. This nailed it. This unlocked some understanding in my brain that i can’t wait to explore and practice. Thank you

[@andrewmurray9898]

This is a great video for bassists to learn filling. Exactly how I learned and continue to do it.

[@PooNinja]

Do you have a lesson on turning my stupid ass fingers into Paul Gilbert worthy phalanges ? Long time commenter first time viewer.

[@Xplora213]

Stem cell therapy. A lot of it. He’s got fast twitch muscles for days. But check out Ben’s lessons, his lessons on pick slanting gets you a lot closer to that speed than you’d think.

[@leftyzappa]

Yes. First, you need 4 middle fingers on your fret hand. Get back to me when that happens :P

[@facelessandnameless]

😂😂

[@b-sideplank]

Smaller scale guitar

[@EclecticEssentric]

3 notes per string. This will build speed and you'll know every single fret of your neck.

[@voronOsphere]

Your band Arc sounds really cool, Uncle Ben!!!! "Sleep" sounds wild!!!! Great drumming, too!

[@CMFL77]

Dude that Arc riff from Sleep is f'n badass!! I love that kind of stuff. Not to that level of competence but that's exactly how I seem to have always written riffs. Just get a chord progression going and play around with the notes, inflections and positions. Thank you for all these years of free content, great instruction, not just reaffirming that I suck at guitar but telling me WHY (lol) and some killer dad jokes!

[@skylershary8756]

Ben Eller, thank you for all that you do. You’re the best guitar instructor on KZbin in my book. Next to you, Dave Davidson is my all time favorite guitar player, I’ve been listening to Revocation since 2008, got my 7 string Jackson because of him. And my favorite aspect of guitar are making riffs. Thank you, thank you again

[@FortressofShred]

The interesting thing about Crazy Train. that sticks out to me, is how that F#m opening riff bounces from the C#. Which is the 5th of F#, to the D, which is the m6 of F#, but can also be viewed as a D/F# or even just a D Maj with the F# in the bass.

[@ToddGillespie1977]

Man, I almost forgot about chords. I’ve been noodling too much. This is a great lesson!

[@brshreds]

Man, small world. One of my teachers in college also taught and is friends with Dave Davidson. I recently watched a clinic the two of them did talking about combining metal and jazz influences, and it was just killer. I know I'm on the right track when I keep seeing the same good information pop up in different places!

[@donaldmccoy49]

Hey Ben, just wanted to thank you.... for taking the time to show what you've learned, how to apply it to real music, and the patients to deal with 'social media' trolls gracefully. There are a handful of 'people' I watch. Greg Koch, David Brewster, Andy Wood, Shredmaster Scott, Rick Beato, Tom Bukovac, You...Ect. All you guys have opened my mind to theory that NEVER made sense before. How to be aware of what I'm playing, phrasing, harmony ideas. SO THANKS MAN!!! you rawk bud!!!

[@mksounds6326]

I keep my riffs in the pantry next to the Lucky Charms. Thanks for the lesson! All the best from the Bay Area! MK

[@unklstepbilly]

Lightbulb 💡 just went on. Scale to chords illustration. Still catching up what to do with them but that just opened up a world. Thanks Ben

[@neilmartin99]

You had me at Green Acres. 😂 Love that black satin finish on your guitar.

[@Archangel_Michaels]

I've been following you for years... just discovered that I wasn't even officially subscribed, wow trio ! Well I'm SUBSCRIBED for sure now 👍 Thanks Ben !

[@Blandwhistle8]

ive been struggling to learn music theory for guitar specifically chord progressions and how to make them. these youtubers give you this info but never show any rules or how to apply it to playing and its been frustrating. This is the first video ive seen that has made sense and clicked. So now i may not know alot but i know the basics of chord progressions and a few rules and now know how to make those into riffs. This really helps.

[@serdavezilla6494]

Thanks Uncle Ben, this is gunna make me many more creativer👍

[@RchrdNaylor]

Holy crap I remember listening to ARC form a forum post years ago on Harmony Central or something and was just thinking about that band this morning. Can't believe it was you playing guitar! Amazing band!

[@jpgarcia1109]

New subscriber from the Philippines!!!

[@tboyE55]

FINALLY. A how-to on picking up early 2000's college chicks

[@SheepWaveMeByeBye]

Go to a 35+ bar and look for leopard print. Done.

[@GodzillaGoesGaga]

@@SheepWaveMeByeBye They all wear Cougar print where I am!

[@emptyMan0]

@@GodzillaGoesGaga LOL, great comment.

[@andrewgarcia3136]

no that's how to play wonderwall jk it can be both

[@deathofamailman]

I laughed out loud and subscribed when he said that.

[@jazzcat1056]

This is gold. Glad I’m a Patreon to get all the benefits.

[@BenEller]

Thanks, dude!!

[@martynspooner5822]

Yeah you so nailed it, thanks for putting it out there for us bedroom guitar players. Much appreciated.

[@rjcummings8566]

This cleared a lot up for me. Thank you for the clear explanation and breakdown.

[@goku64100]

Thank you so much this has been one of my biggest questions I never knew exactly how to word it but this helped so much

[@michaelsmusic3532]

The original stuff from your old band sounds really good bro, thanks for sharing !

[@davidcastelein2137]

Each time I discover your ideas, I just wanna take my Stratocaster and experience. Thx uncle Ben !!!!

[@tripives1858]

I went to your ARC page. Really good stuff! For whatever reason it reminded me of what Steve Morse said about playing in Kansas... "The one Ithing I learned from playing with Kansas is that I never want lyrics in my music" (hahaha, I love that). Up next... Dixie Dregs.

[@jasonmayse5585]

I would like some insight on lead harmonies.... What would be the best approach to figure out what scales and different harmony positions sounds best.. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding these when I'm trying to pick on a new tune... 🤘🏻

[@kennethnegy9467]

Nice, thanks, Ben! Revocation’s Chaos of Forms sweep picking at the end would be a great riff for a Weekend Wankshop!

[@rob8482]

I love Green Acres, it's the place to be! Outstanding video, as usual, Uncle Ben!

[@Larry-v6j]

Just found your channel. I learned a lot from this lesson. Thanks much.

[@Brad-ye4gs]

So crazy to have this video pop up in feed after being on a Revocation Whitechapel binge. lol. Thanks Uncle Ben!

[@Guithulhu]

That riff around 8:30 was SIKKKKKKKK!!!

[@leebasey2423]

This excellent! I was just trying to figure out how to do this. Ben, you ROCK!

[@ianmcevoy9936]

Cheers,loved your major and minor scale lesson,got me playing again and havin fun doing it,will give this a go later.

[@liamnerson257]

That sleep riff you werer playing really reminded me of the Swedish Prog Metal band Burst.

[@BenEller]

Love that band. I saw them in Knoxville on their final US tour with a little ol band from France called Gojira, and the whole show blew my mind!

[@Impassion]

I have the same MIDI keyboard you have behind you. M-Audio Oxygen49? Just used it for my newest synth track! I love synths, and metal. I used to have a sweet matte black guitar like that too, but I sold it! AAAAUGH!!

[@JMorg2116]

Love the use of strategery

[@mattmovesmountains1443]

Loved this video, definitely going to check out the SoundCloud. It reminded me of Slugdge, purveyors of nasty dark riffs And holy shit Kenny, I was going ask Ben about Revocation. I'm on such a Revocation kick right now. Dave's guitar is amazing, so's the drummer. So, yes.. please get Dave on the channel

[@RobertMurphy-wm3ge]

heading over to your patreon this weekend dude. You have excellent lessons.

[@kennyredgraves1945]

You have very good picking skills Bro 💯🤘🤘

[@GanthardBlack]

Holy shit thank you dude please make a series outta this kinda video i hear use triads and root notes all the time but no one shoes you HOW to use them you have a great way of explaining this kinda info

[@NJP9036]

Thanks Ben. Nice Suhr it sounds awesome.

[@donaldharraka7073]

Thanks Ben!! Excellent vid.

[@CDRHOTON]

Bro your band Arc is dope.

[@canman87]

Dave is a phenomenal player and I've had the pleasure of briefly hanging out with him for a few hours after a show a few years back. He's a solid dude and humble as all get out. I think any Revocation track would be a worthwhile submission for a Weekend Wankshop, whether talking about the riffage or the solos. I suppose Of Unworldly Origin would be mine, simply because that's the one I've most recently learned, lol. It covers a lot of techniques and has some really great phrasing that I think would make it interesting to go over. I can play it relatively well at about 90% speed, but breaking the barrier to 100% has proven challenging.

[@AB-ny7zm]

Awesome content. Thank you Uncle Ben!

[@IstrskaPustinja]

Just learned dokken - dream warrior from you! Looking forward to write some riffs now!

[@vtmusic5173]

Great video Ben!

[@danielsaturnino5715]

Cool. Thanks Uncle Ben

[@karlwiebe3806]

WOW!!! So simple. Mind blown🤯🤯🤯. Excellent lesson....as Always.

[@AnonyMous-rr1rv]

Love ya Uncle Ben!

[@krispynachos9980]

Potential Uncle Ben and Dave Davidson shred collab? Hell yes!

[@nicolasdefombelle8943]

Amazing channell, I learned so much from you thank you

[@BenEller]

Thanks man!!!

[@phillipprice1172]

Awesome info Thank you for the ideas and the very incredibly simple way you explained them helps a lot I feel like I may have learned something today Thanks uncle Ben

[@russellward4624]

Why do I think of a young child sitting on thier daddys lap asking "where do riffs come from daddy?" And Uncle Benn responds "wellI i guess just time for the talk"

[@Erocapi]

Thanks so much for this video 🙏 it came in in perfect time

[@KRayxKodessA]

You should've called this video rut buster, because it may have done just that for me... thanks Uncle Ben!

[@alxw9866]

To me you sir are the better guitar teacher on this app, martymusic, kerry2smooth, justin guitar hell even bernth(austrian metal player dope artist mid teacher) only you explain breakdown thing i can understand as an autistic artist you break through my mind every time..never frickin change man

[@alxw9866]

Even tomofujiato can’t understand his lessons either you are toptier i wish i could subscribe twice

[@richardsmith9615]

You're a legend! Thanks for the video!

[@mhbass]

Thanks for unlocking the chord to riff ideas.

[@yelyel2620]

Great teaching!! Keep doing what you do, God bless you 💛

[@deeznutz491]

Thanks Uncle Ben !

[@michaelsmusic3532]

Cool .... UR lernin' us strategery ! In all seriousness I dig the metaphorically use the cooking with ingredients idea with notes. Thats gettin us lernt gooder

[@xBeto7]

wow i wish i knew about your band back then. thanks you!

[@Rosmarodin]

This one's really great, Ben

[@bradleyhendry8125]

This lesson makes me want to listen to Persistence of Time .. most notably Intro to Reality/belly

[@laurentzduba1298]

Iron Maiden's iconic lydian based mode in Number of the Beast is so influential that a variation of it was used in Anthrax's Intro to Reality / Belly of the Beast and any Lunachicks song that I adore. ❤

[@l6srob990]

Great lesson as always learned some great ideas

[@diegogianoli7696]

Thank you uncle Ben! This will help a lot with my hemorroids

[@emptyMan0]

This riff tutorial is so useful! I wish I knew that when I was still doing music.

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

Another fine bit of information. Thanks again man!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching!

[@adamdelarozza1985]

Thanks Ben luv your tutorials and your rice.😃

[@GINeric_]

Long time fan, your "this is why you suck" videos helped out a lot when I began playing years ago. I checked out Sleep, it says from 10 years ago. How long have you been playing guitar?

[@francocerasuolo1200]

Nice editing. I'm gonna miss the Ole dry erase board.

[@sakatuni]

Can you do a video on what to practice for the Chickin Pickin technique?

[@johnsalaman503]

Who the heck can give this a thumbs down,,great lesson,thanks for the download

[@jmiddlefinger]

Revocation is amazeballs. “The Grip Tightens” video is incredible. As I recall, Dave Davidson is a Berklee grad! I would love to see a breakdown of the solo from “The Grip Tightens”

[@MikeHPrice]

He had a really good interview on Riffhard Podcast earlier in the year that went into his Berklee experience quite a bit

[@jmiddlefinger]

@@MikeHPrice Thanks, Mike. I’m going to check that out tonight!

[@deepakrebentisch9173]

excellent lesson sir GBY

[@misenheimer]

this is really useful. thank you UB

[@minderDOTorg]

6:20 - Uncle Ben, you gave me a serious case of the 'eebie-jeebies at this point ... dog gone it, that was scary! :D

[@adamsreport]

Awesome!! Uncle ben i love it....

[@phito7051]

Thxs so much I’ve got a much better understand I literally created my first real riff after watching this video thx again

[@metaldownm]

Awesome , thanks for another great lesson.

[@malhooper4198]

I didnt know you played in ARK!! That little lick that starts burn the sun is soooooooo good. Can you show how to play that lick?

[@BenEller]

Not Ark, ARC. Different band.

[@malhooper4198]

@@BenEller oh welp. Now I have a new band to go check out lol

[@Johnny1.0]

How is it that I've subscribed 3 times but never unsubsidized once!! Its prob my step-dad Lamar doing it cuz he is jealous of my skills now that I can melt face! Have fun finding your pedal train power cord! Lol

[@allboutthemojo]

It's just amazing to see a formula turn into a creative melody. 🙌 I cannot believe the 1 dislike to this video. Ben, did you piss off customer service or something? 🤣

[@johnmcclellan555]

Break Down the intro to Rock Your Baby; George McCrae-Love me some Pam Grier-listen to the ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL INTRO-BTW-I was hooked on Green Acres!

[@xanderfilms8820]

I came up with a real nice chord progression but want a riff before it so this helps👍

[@zzodysseuszz]

This is exactly what I was looking for

[@josephpessano]

Thank you uncle Ben

[@satchrules101]

Great teacher!

[@junoroby5413]

Amazingly good explanation

[@EclecticEssentric]

Thanks, that was some useful tips.

[@jvsings9146]

What about that country riff you played, that was badass. Can we get some country riffage lessons?

[@xsox6465]

Ben, what make is that green Tele on the thumbnail?

[@BenEller]

That’s my Suhr Modern T

[@xsox6465]

@@BenEller she’s a beauty!