How To Write A Killer Riff

[@thorndog100]

Love all yer material Rick. Just bought Economy Picking Pt1 and Hybrid Picking Pt1 , also purchased Legato licks and all your stuff is just brilliant. I recommend buying Rick Grahams Lessons to all guitarists because they are well set out and well worth the money..Peace out people and help Rick by buying his stuff because he works really hard and plays like a demon...

[@RickGraham]

thorndog100 Thanks for the support bro!

[@thorndog100]

No worries man. Dont worry I will be buying all your stuff and i have your latest album on route as well. You are definetly one of the best guitarists/musicians out there in KZbin land and I thank you for all your hard work and commitment . You are a blinding player and I know you have been through a lot and come out stronger on the other side and I totally respect you for it. Cant wait for the album and Hybrid Picking Pt2. Peace for now..

[@citizzencain]

Amen brutha! I purchased Ricks course awhile back and it is awesome. I would recommend to anyone interested in Ricks courses (and you should be!) to brush up on your music theory as these lessons are not for beginners. My head was spinning at first as Rick talks in terms of modes etc. This inspired me to go out and take some courses on theory to keep up! Great work Rick!

[@JunkieMonkey321]

God, every Rick Graham video makes me feel so inadequate

[@cameronnorman291]

JunkieMonkey321 same

[@kennethmanuntag]

Junkie.. thats normal but if you really want something dont rush...because it take time and serious dedication about what you like to achieved... rick graham also took alot of hard word..cheers

[@yjmsrv]

So, in case that didn't really make sense to the audience- Rick is using the V chord in a dominant form to turn the song back around to the beginning key of Bminor- although normally the V chord in a minor key is also minor- if you "substitute" the V7 chord from the parallel major key- it makes a really nice leading tone (the major 7th interval) into the tonic again- in other words- the third of the V7 chord is the 7th of the I chord- which always wants to move up a half step and resolve to the I. It's a very common classical resolution and really well played here too! It makes the song pull back home to B as the tonic. It's borrowed from the major scale's V7 that always wants to take the chord progression back to the I. Hope that helps.

[@suorm-net]

I love the Chopin nocturnes. A few years ago I spent almost 6 months of listening to Chopin every single day. The nocture in E min op. 72 is probably my favorite. Of all the nocturnes, it brings me feelings of wonder and awe for our incredible and amazing universe. Try listening to it the next time you observe the stars. After so many listens, I have no doubt that Chopin was a genius. He had such musical sensibilities and talent, and his death at the early age of 39 was so tragic. During the last years of his life, he produced his op 55 nocturnes. which I can only describe as a gift to humanity. Anyway, I'd dig a new series of killer riffs, that use compositional techniques found in your favorite pieces of music.

[@MindSculpture1]

I've been obsessing over this piece the last few days Rick. Driven 200 miles today, but still managed to stay away long enough tonight to finally crack it! Very addictive sequence once you absorb it. Cheers Rick 🎸👍

[@katharinaranke9495]

Just 53 seconds into the video and already blown away...Boy, this technique and feel is stunning!

[@joshuamichael4312]

Killer tone there man. That Tele rips and sounds fantastic.

[@rhysl3314]

Agreed about the plaigarism! It reminds me of a very apt quote... "The key to originality is knowing how to hide your sources well". Afterall, we're all products of our inspirations. I really, really rate you as a player; one of the most original, melodic, technically proficient players I've heard in a long time. Great job, I'm subscribed :)

[@Grylluslit]

The real secret to writing killer riffs is wearing an adidas tracksuit

[@ZgemboBeterovic]

Gryllus Squatting Slav style? :D

[@THEDRAWINGSTUDIO1]

Gryllus and getting ripped

[@DirtyMcDaniel]

Nah because Korn would've been good

[@brodieondasidewalk]

Hipster Killer get out. Now.

[@anthony777-7]

Great material you are sharing with us man. You just broke it in pieces so we can understand how you created it, anybody do that. And you taught how to change keys. Just awesome. Thankyou.

[@Dompropat]

I've been listening to Nocturne Op.9 No.1 nonstop for a week now. Awesome video!

[@Flyinghelicpterfart]

Great tutorial Rick, thanks for letting us in on your creative process. Super helpful

[@heliobluesrock]

Honestly, one of the most beautiful riffs I've heard! Loved it!

[@JonasTamas]

Love the fresh and yet classical vibe of this one!

[@darkhorseO3]

Thanks Rick. I've been searching for something like this to use as a practice exercise and take my playing to the next level.

[@SixString_J5]

I really appreciate what he is actually showing. He's not showing you how to write a killer riff, he's showing you the mindset of a killer guitarist. You want to play exotic and spicy leads? you have to either be a savant that can create the sound you want by ear and feel or you have to know massive amounts of music theory. Rick knows more music theory than all his subscribers combined. Just astonishing to watch his methods verbalized.

[@Guithulhu]

Simply amazing. Melodically astounding.

[@martinpalmer3575]

Chopin's my all time fave. Love the sound of your prelude Rick. Really nice!

[@bradsims5116]

That is fantastic , rick ! Love those intervalic sounding nuggets.

[@ME-lf7by]

Great idea and very inspiring to see how one can get inspiration from Chopin's genius

[@iwo1621]

It always looks so easy with you. it latches sensational

[@mandarin7728]

I loved your acting and guitar playing on Tyler's channel. Very nice.

[@StevenMartinGuitar]

Love this stuff Rick! More of these awesome harmonic devices/techniques (modulation tricks and substitutes etc) would be great to see!

[@StalwartSpartan298]

You should honestly let someone else have the pick of destiny for a while, you're being selfish.

[@omnomaly7458]

So good it makes ya wanna slap yo mamma

[@omidmahjobian3377]

Hi , Thanks for great tutorial, i also wanted to wish you a swift recovery from your left hand injury. I cant figure out how you play B minor chord with a major 7th interval for the sixth chord , could you please explain it ?

[@MartinBurtonGuitar]

Very useful, thanks Rick!

[@gregdayley4653]

Jesus man. I was lost from the start. But sounded so good I could not stop listening. Very tasty lol. Carry on!

[@omidmahjobian3377]

Learned So Much, Thanks

[@hYpYz]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us man. This is invaluable. Playing this makes me so happy I'm sitting here grinning from ear to ear :). Since I have found this channel I have improved as a guitarist and my motivation is at all time high. Back to practice ! :D

[@danaeverhart6487]

THANKZZZ again Rick!

[@marcfordrey]

Great video! Would love to see some more examples of this.

[@viruscerbero]

What a beautiful intro, man... really beautiful

[@judaderezende1573]

Amazing material, man!👍🏼❤️

[@Gaukler81]

great lessons my friend ! Thanks a lot...have a nice time,

[@JhOtheGuitarist]

Nice lesson !!

[@johnjohnson1191]

Power chord plus string bend plus lick plus classical sinister inspiration= badass riff. Mozart was the metal of the 18th century.

[@alizulkifalahmed9315]

More riff writing videos, please.

[@joe-Inner-Sanctum]

:,D I just watched the video where you just played the lick and thought "I wish he would make a video explaining this in detail", then randomly clicked on this video. Thank you for hearing my prayers, mighty thunderous guitar god !!

[@trangofast9692]

Might be your best sounding guitar!

[@AdrianFarrell]

love the Moira Lympany version of the Nocturnes

[@LinkToon000]

what if i want to write a riff for my psychedelic ska punk band?

[@STRATOHOLICRichman]

Start with the chords, usually power chords, establish a key (each chord will represent either major, minor or diminished) and then you can use pretty much the same method shown here if you want. I'd say just make the intervals simpler... like 5ths and 3rds but you can use any.

[@boostuse]

@ Rick Graham , I wrote a killer riff or I should say song ,one is called (Bleed For Us All That We Shall) on Soundcloud and the other is: (Bird Freak and Hen Dicks ) under : Blacky

[@arminpolsinger6025]

Thank you! Great Suff! :)

[@zomuz3685]

Ready! i learned it!

[@achmadzubairi3383]

your perfect teacher

[@stalker11421]

very nice, i looove nocturnes

[@ShredGuy]

This really helped bud, thank you.

[@beyondlimitsproductions1468]

Now this is what I call music!

[@FedeOttalagano]

awesome!

[@metalvocalistwanted]

Awesome riffage

[@drascusdrewman3032]

Your action looks low af! How low do you have your strings? Oh and a lesson on how you worked on minimizing your left hand movements would be awesome!!!

[@coopertulip]

actually I so f***ing enjoyed this! .. Thanks Mate!

[@theutgardianchannel1952]

finally a tutorial where the guy is not a douche stuck on the 80's just playing power chords and pentatonics, this is actually useful. this is kinda like those tutorials by mark holcomb but with a better and slow paced explanation

[@nizzamp]

HAAAA!! Delayed, psych out the viewer by taking fist off camera then bringin' it back in fist pump. Approved. This is a really unique riff and melody - very creative and unpredictable pattern. Will add to practice routine along with the 2 recently release shred train arp sequences. Thanks again for the FREE materials, creator.

[@svencro]

this would fit perfectly over some djent/meshuggah type riffs

[@Sharpened_Spoon]

So far over my head but beyond entertaining to watch. And the worn rosewood tele....

[@DanBarracuda]

Whew that rff is beautiful! Really like your tone too. Is that a Danelectro?

[@RedFrandany]

Love love this

[@hammeron3056]

Yes! You were right! Bach was a BOSS!!!

[@ContortionistIX]

4:37 "Very tasty" ...Almost spit out my spaghetti

[@MikaTarkela]

Sick intro!!

[@albcal6827]

You are a Real Metal Killer!...Im not such, but... For who prefers...! Thank you in any way. ajc 2017

[@pablouuuu]

rick you use a different tuning? maybe a classic tuning?

[@aaronbergAPB]

Sweet

[@jimmyfavereau]

awEsome teacher also! ty ty ty

[@raymondmarboh7699]

nice melodic

[@joakoz01928374650192]

what if want to write some stuff, but i dont know how to write

[@kyatzz]

How did you write this sentence?

[@Darkrealms46]

kyatzz by typing

[@mjt11860]

ur lucky, i don't know how to read. so don't bother replying :(

[@Afurthyclays]

3 people don't want to write a killer riff.

[@bbel_zz8997]

genius

[@iancarroll3390]

VERY TASTY!

[@gmel1084]

Is that a rosewood fretboard or ebony?

[@jesushardrock1344]

ey rick! there is a band from the UK called malevolence! check their song called Turn to Stone! i think you will like it :)

[@mcnihilation7286]

Thanks man 👍 I'll give you a sub for that.

[@lilsavage79]

very 'castlevania'

[@benjaminnilsson3103]

Good

[@alereske4975]

WOW TAB PLEASE!!

[@alereske4975]

true..... thank you for the amazing riffs and scales

[@adambrandt1858]

that was b e a utiful:}

[@kopashred]

Like a Bach!

[@davejackson88]

Incredible mind get choupin

[@Bmxmusikian]

Im sure the 5th is supposed to be a mixolydian 1

[@290mira]

I'm 1 hour in to this and have just about go the first arpeggio more practice required

[@mikemorgenroth4954]

Is that an ebony fretboard?

[@baldguitar767]

5 out of 595 guitar players don´t like Rick's lessons. Lol

[@dutchman5653]

That souds just like anything that would be in a final fantasy kind of game

[@somekindofdude1130]

It's very clear that you studied economy picking good job dude.

[@JariSatta]

Indeed-a-cus! GrandMasters Chopin, Černý, Liszt.

[@AxelShelleyMusic]

the cleanness of your playing is on par with Paul Gilbert and Guthrie govan, holy shit

[@danaeverhart6487]

My improvisations are totally my ideas , and i play what my soul is crying out to be heard, as I patiently wait for the next movement.

[@GeoffreyRamel]

Rick Bach

[@ThePuertoricanBeastJonathan]

You can riffs?

[@jeanpolcasanova6176]

Chopin is Chopin my friend

[@joseluisfernandez1380]

How to be killer, period

[@TheCharudatta]

Destructor de dulces multisabor Step 1: Buy a gun Step 2: Kill

[@cesarbarrios89]

you sir are amazing, but, can you djent?

[@JamieGuitar]

Has a Fives - Guthrie Govan vibe to it

[@cdamico97]

yaaa

[@ferbalceda]

Subtitulos en español porfaaass

[@RaulSanchez777]

Is there a chord sheet for this anywhere?

[@RaulSanchez777]

jk it's Bminor#7, Amaj7, Gmaj7#4, F#7b9, Eminor#7, Dmaj7, Cmaj7#4, F#7b9. Correct me if I'm wrong please

[@sethymes5984]

have u considered not having the long nail

[@lukesaunders4776]

So you'll be playing some Chopin for our delectation soon...?

[@nightwishlover8913]

A bit of JSBach in there too?

[@elijahw1931]

"Thrice." - Rick Graham