How to Write a Riff Like Polyphia/Tim Henson (My Approach)

In this video I go over How to Write a Riff Like Polyphia/Tim Henson and my approach to doing this. Polyphia are known for their unique style of guitar playing and guitar tones. Their songwriting skills are super impressive as tracks off of new levels new devils such as goat, od and saucy will prove. When writing the riff in this video I was very inspired by Tim Henson's track Blood Moon as well as The Worst off of The Most Hated Ep by Polyphia. This video covers how to begin writing a polyphia inspired riff, the importance of melody in polyphia and Tim Hensons riffs, keeping the listener interested in your riff and the importance of triplets in Polyphia's music. Polyphia are inspired by a lot of trap and hiphop music and often create beats for their music which has influenced their guitar playing in a super interesting way.
All guitar tones in this video are from Neural DSP Archetype Tim Henson
Get the backing track and tabs for the riff in this video here: payhip.com/b/z...
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You can follow and support me on these platforms:
KZbin - / jackrollinsonmusic
INSTAGRAM - / jack_rollinson_

[@brandobread7309]

The riff that you wrote sounds exactly like something polyphia would play, love it

[@BrittanyMorrison-lh2vd]

Sooooo fr

[@lethompson]

The riff sounds like The Worst if it was written for NLND instead of The Most Hated. Great video as well!

[@wyattfreihon4048]

I noticed something when practicing Polyphia tracks and I haven’t heard people mention it before. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think they use harmonic minor scales and trills a lot in their songs. I just notice they’ll use a sharp 7 and maybe slip into a blues scale. I swear I can hear that but maybe I’m crazy.

[@JaydenLayne_]

In dark sounds they sometimes use the phrygian dominant scale

[@rhythmicstu]

yes they defo are using more of the harmonic minor in their more recent stuff. But go back to their earlier stuff, and loads of their stuff was based on major and minor pentatonics

[@alexamderhamiltom5238]

what do you mean by "trills"

[@rhythmicstu]

@@alexamderhamiltom5238 trills are rapid hammer on / pull-offs between two notes. I would say they are more known for their glissando however (rapid sliding between notes)

[@prodbyaye8751]

@@JaydenLayne_ Thats what he said harmonic minor

[@Liquidgrin]

This is good. I’m an old head, grew up on lots of different styles of music and I’m always amazed at the diversity and creativity of each new generation. Rock on!

[@akaiisa9300]

Underated video right here, as someone who also doesn't do a lot of music theory the way you explain it was clear and precise, it was easy to understand and follow and incredibly helpful thank you, you have got yourself another well deserved subscriber

[@angelogrotti]

Incredibly underrated riff in the beginning. That needs to be heard.

[@jackromero9225]

Dude much appreciated!! Watched this, sat down w the guitar, and within 15-20 minutes I came up w a kickass riff that I would’ve never been able to do without the help of this vid. Thank you brotha. Guitar just became interesting again ….

[@joshgrillo6115]

That riff is sick bro!

[@unreleasedpolyphia]

Such an incredible job. Gonna buy tabs and analyse that more closely. You should do "how to build bass & drums lines around guitar" or some kind stuff, backing track is hot tho, it would be very interesting.

[@TKD187]

Dude you just blew my mind mainly because I understand everything you're doing and I thought at the beginning of this video I was probably going to turn it off halfway cuz there's no way I could play some stuff like that but I'm starting to think it's not that hard, I really like the way you break everything down it makes it way easier to comprehend .nice job🤘🏻

[@evetheemo5017]

This was a great video, ty for making this, it really helped with my writing, can't wait to see more👍

[@aiRxShop]

Your double jointed ring finger freaked me out for a second. I bet that helps with some chords, tho! Kinda jealous lol. I broke my ring finger in HS and it’s stuff as a board at the last joint now lol

[@griddxi]

thats rough lol

[@JansleyMusic]

Jesus this is really good! You deserve more subs my man!

[@AlejandroMarrero-qf4ko]

My guy youre a genius, thank you for this blueprint

[@TobySussex]

Really great breakdown!

[@donpetrossi]

Appreciate the work that went into this, thank you

[@CHOEYGMUSIC]

Thanks man this is an awesome vid

[@choosableone8720]

Abasi thumb definitely helps. Good job!

[@jerryjohnson2421]

great..... I neen playing a long timr yet a fresh new approach A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ AWESomeeee

[@youssfhazem7310]

I've subscribed , I like your contnet and i'm a person that is very picky! Keep it up jack !!!!

[@jakec.809]

Nice video. Liked that it was not over complicated with theory.

[@flannel_punk]

Very helpful video! Keep up the good work man

[@jdebney]

Really informative lesson. You should have way more subs and views!

[@spielegoetter-music]

it sounds like a real song from polyphia! you are good

[@jaikmiller4490]

Smart guy. He broke it down really well. Good info

[@mynameisNeo369]

Thank you for this, beautiful riff by the way man 💪 new sub

[@cristianwithnoh2951]

The intro song was incredible jesus

[@qmusic7640]

Really awesome breakdown of their style!

[@rererere96]

how long do you take to write a riff using this techniques? i find hard to keep writing and making it interesting, that kinda unmotivates me

[@JackRollinsonMusic]

For me, it can take a few days to write a riff in this style. If I come up with an idea that I like I'll often leave it for a while and then re-visit it later so I can approach re-writing parts or finishing it with a fresh perspective. I think that's the key to making a riff that I'm happy with. I've found that if you try and write something and finish it in the same day, it's hard to stay motivated and creative with what you are doing.

[@dieToteninsel]

Damn duuuuude that’s sick I love it

[@Tomas.visk123]

This is amazing thank you for this video

[@BlackHeartMarlo]

Great tips bro. U kno theory my man, u jus dont think u do🪬🤙🏽

[@kamazi6448]

You just have beautiful hands :)

[@langer_mo9790]

you nailed this sound

[@BigBrandoGAMES]

This is amazing 👌

[@reltheartist-topic801]

That's sick!!!! I love it

[@jadomarwignal4183]

Sure thought pattern this is what I need

[@user-sl4sx6dp4c]

great video

[@pjrodz]

Thanks for this man!

[@MrNumber1gator]

New subscriber sir thank you!!!!

[@SomethingsoniQ]

Hey man, great video! Could you explain how you construct the backing track?

[@TheObserverDMZ]

How to write a polyphia riff: Step 1 get a chord progression going Step 2 be creative

[@mynameisNeo369]

Yes

[@Iv6ryv]

Tone tut? I have an idea for a riff that would be pretty nice with that tone

[@rererere96]

will i finally learn? i'm hitting play right now

[@rererere96]

already liked of course

[@dompepz8074]

Awesome....

[@g6meboi725]

Nice! Super helpful

[@tripzi864]

idk if it was mentioned or i missed it. what are the modes and scales mainly used for this dark sound?

[@luryas626]

He said he isnt much about music theory, but the Dorian mode is great, since it is the "least dark" minor mode, and harmonic minor and phrygian are great too, phrygian expecially for his new stuff like batch

[@ApacheX11]

​@@luryas626 na my nigga. go even further. use the harmonic minor as your ionian and go from there.

[@Blessed_dna]

Fun fact: This video was uploaded on Tim's birthday.

[@BRAAAIS]

0:10 wtf is happening with you pick thumb??

[@moraltales-g4z]

Can you make a tutorial on how to make the backing track as well?

[@starkz777]

Question: during lead playing, what harmony intervals do Scott and Tim use. 3rd intervals in most songs?

[@GreekSolos]

FCKING INSANE WTFFF

[@starkz777]

Question: what harmony interval do Scott and Tim use. 3rd intervals in most songs?

[@menardencarnacion5202]

Mad lad. Thanks for the breakdown

[@SteffStover]

awesome!!

[@istillsuckatguitar]

Awesome. Thanks. Great video.

[@krankerapfel]

Hi ! Thank you for this video ! I would like to know what's the name of the technic where you touch the string a little bit to make it sounds highly clear ? I need to practice that

[@neverknowsbest1717]

Harmonics?

[@lucarav]

brilliant! Thanks @jack

[@abrahamkwame1476]

This is real great! can you do a more extensive like in-depth tutorial this type of style? Will be really extra helpful

[@robertpetre9378]

Sounds like what they are doing in jazz when they use phrasing to go in between different chords with arpeggios.

[@stephencraig8578]

Very clean. Are there specific amp settings/effects for this piece? thx

[@JackRollinsonMusic]

Loads of compression and a little bit of chorus helps

[@bethaneydunne9682]

Wow how old are you have you been playing a while

[@cristianwithnoh2951]

Dude you're a crazy guitar player how old are you???

[@BrittanyMorrison-lh2vd]

Legend! But I wish the tabs were free😅

[@finnsunflower606]

Thankk you so much!!!

[@rangersapprentice4985]

that earned a sub

[@daniarmoa_oficial]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@andychongks]

Do you have like a phaser or some sort effect on the guitar sound ?

[@JackRollinsonMusic]

There is some chorus blended in

[@andychongks]

@@JackRollinsonMusic thank you Jack

[@ryansexton2499]

“Harmonic minor scales are dope bruh” -Science

[@onefm1]

I'd love to see how something like this would sound over a basic 4/4 EDM beat.

[@CLOAKBEATS.]

I want to jam now frfr lol

[@grantgames4637]

why unlisted?

[@anonymouskl3183]

The riff at the beginning takes majority of it from “The Worst”

[@088Noir]

Yea there’s a bit of salsa in there

[@razorzee7255]

Releas full song plissss

[@kishlayverma6622]

does learning polyphia songs help coming up with similar ideas?

[@SimonHylander]

Yes imo

[@bagofrazors2934]

For me that works with a lot of bands, I was a huge Marilyn Manson fan for awhile and I learned every song that Daisy Berkowitz was on (so spooky kids era up to Antichrist superstar) and after learning a few tracks I learned a lot of his habits and a lot of my original riffs I accidentally write things I find to be similar to Marilyn Manson and the spooky kids riffs (btw if you aren’t a Marilyn Manson fan I still recommend the spooky kids, completely different sound.)

[@Flqmmable]

your a newzealander? right

[@Heartchickennuggs]

where the hell did you find those drums!?

[@jabez-50]

what camera are you using?

[@jdoxmgmt]

Are you making the backing tracks your self too?

[@JackRollinsonMusic]

Yes

[@jdoxmgmt]

@@JackRollinsonMusic Damn man! They absolutely slap. Would love to see more videos on that approach, plugins, vsts, sounds and producing etc.

[@JackRollinsonMusic]

@@jdoxmgmt Thank you bro. I do a lot more producing these days and have thought about maybe posting up some session breakdowns. Might be a bit of a change for the channel though

[@jdoxmgmt]

@@JackRollinsonMusic could be worthwhile as I can tell you now alot of us out here have polyphia style riffs but we have no idea how to make the tracks to put them to so you could make that one magic video that everyone references haha! I'd just love to see choice of vsts, programs, kits and other plugins that go into it.

[@digital360]

This guy is way too good for a 12 year old.

[@Overgis4058]

0:09

[@sazadimli]

TABS???? pls

[@mihailwarsavski8849]

How old are you?

[@copycatlyn]

man you need to quit making polyphia vids and make JACK ROLLINSON VIDS! YOU'RE A BEAST AND YOU CAN DO IT!

[@dilloncranford7087]

you wanna work together?

[@adrianbanegas8069]

This is modern tango electric.

[@SottoLwrence]

Give the tabs for free

[@huskkyy]

The riff is there, just not the mixing

[@vivarantx]

step 1: Be me or Tim Henson step 2: Repeat

[@UNKNOWN-bp8it]

Could you combine some Polyphia with something like this (kzbin.info/www/bejne/f2mViniBq9KJfKs)? I feel it needs some bright trap beats and a Polyphia-esque guitar part. I was listening to both and didnt realize it would fit SO WELL. Please and thank you. Stay safe!

[@dieToteninsel]

How fckn much should I practice to get that lvl??????

[@mynameisNeo369]

Everyday as long as you can

[@winstonc.9361]

I think the bells at the beginning are unnecessary and make it sound too much like G.O.A.T. Just the bells alone made it feel like a copy of G.O.A.T., even though your composition is very original and cool. Maybe another sound would be better suited.

[@copycatlyn]

bro says "the chord progression is super simple, but then effortlessly does a B chord with no issue.... THATS LIKE ONE OF THE HARDEST CHORDS TO EVEN DO NORMALLY