RIFF WARS 3 | My Approach To Heavy Riffs

in this video I wanted to share my approach to coming up with riffs. Breaking down the riff wars 3 riffs, and writing a riff on the spot in the video to demonstrate the process.
let me know if it was useful!
#howtowriteriffs #rabeaafro #riffwars3
Video edited by John Hollingworth
⬇️⬇️⬇️ Feel free to read this ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Hey guys, I’m Rabea. I'm the lead guitarist in Toska, Frog Leap & Dorje where I write music, make songs and have a great time with my mates. I also have my own line of guitars with Chapman Guitars, and I’ve designed numerous products with some really cool companies, such as the Victory Amps VX Kraken. Anyway, i hope you enjoy my videos, thank you for watching!
------------------// MY MUSIC \\-------------------------
Rabea Massaad - Grinding Gears EP
Bandcamp - bit.ly/2E9FeLu
Spotify - spoti.fi/2nTv86v
iTunes/AppleMusic - apple.co/2E7e3k7
Amazon Music - amzn.to/2E8oFQ1
Google Play - bit.ly/2E7kQq8
Toska - www.toska.tv
Frog Leap - www.frogleapst...
Dorje - www.dorje.tv
------------------// FOLLOW ME \\-------------------------
KZbin - bit.ly/29M2DC6
Facebook - bit.ly/2bImlyW
Instagram - bit.ly/2bhVpc7
Twitter - bit.ly/2bRfxOU
------------------// LEARN GUITAR \\-------------------------
I've created a complete online guitar course with Musicisum - Sign up here: bit.ly/learnfro...
Peace & Love

[@RabeaMassaad]

Hey guys, I just wanna say a big thanks for all the positive words about this video. I will definitely take a look at creating more content like this. If you could chuck some replies to this comment with anything you’d love to see, please do! Much love Rabea

[@awonderingoneil206]

Rabea, quick question, awesome vid by the way it was cool to see your take on riff writing. Do you like whammy bar equipped guitars and have you ever owned one?

[@jamatheo]

Yeah, riff #2 from Riff Wars. Seriously. You know, the one used in Siggy Pop. I beg you. [edit] also, I was always amazed by your clean ambient chords and melodies. Maybe do a video on that.

[@pratinavchandra9998]

Some videos on Drum programming and how to produce complete songs independently, as a guitarist maybe? Love your videos Bea! Keep the great content coming! :)

[@theflyingpigofthenorth5942]

@@awonderingoneil206 he has a strat and his original signature guitar had a floyd rose

[@frederikthaysen6931]

I loved the video, Bea!! Could you perhaps as a follow up to this video make another video sometime soon, where you introduce beginners in the metal genre (like myself) to how you incorporate rhythmic patterns into your playing? For example when you’re palm muting the lowest strings and you make an insane and interesting rhythm. And perhaps also a few words about the tunings you use, and your chord voicings when writing riffs.

[@jayblack5231]

“Let me come up with something real quick” “Oh ok, so it’s in 7/8” BRO

[@tzvitombak5671]

Incredible how every note in your chords are audible despite the heavy gain

[@Oliver-ex3cs]

You had me at riff wars 3

[@normandundas1005]

Great stuff Bea!.I am a big fan of yours but im not really into all the really heavy stuff but i love your prog style.Being a bit older i try to broaden my horizons and listen to as much as possible.My favourite band ever is The Church and i urge you to listen to the sublime guitar work by Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper,I think you will be pleasently surprised. Cheers,Norm Dundas

[@bikesnbeerz]

@@normandundas1005 Ah man, thanks! Had no idea they did "Under The Milky Way" kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3KYZYF4qbV-mqs

[@Adam_Pagan]

Great riff, thanks Rabea. For those wondering, I'm thinking DROP C tuning Part 1) 0 5 4 7 x x, 0 7 5 5 8 x, 0 8 x x 10 x, 0 10 x x 11 x, 8 x 0 7 10 x Part 2) 0 5 4 7 x x, 10 10 10 12 x x, 8 8 12 10 8 8

[@dannyalaniz7387]

Thanks bro 🤘🏼

[@dobby240]

Doing gods work! Thanks so much for these!!

[@Imbouttobuss]

thank you soo match brooo

[@nathanielmartinez8599]

thank you so much boss

[@LukeBass1000]

One thing I'd like to point out: in the last section, Bea remembers exactly what he has just played, is able to accurately evaluate the riff and change it according to what he wants to hear. A great skill that will save SO much time when writing music on your own. Killer vid as always! MOAR PLIZ

[@craigjames1082]

So true. Once I was able to do this writing riffs became so much easier

[@noobmusic1864]

Little known fact: The relationship between Rabea's jaw and his hands is the same as between a ventriloquist and his puppet.

[@richardharrold9736]

I've always described Rabea's riffs as chewy, but I'd never noticed that before.

[@mennovos5973]

I'm dealing with a 24/7 chronic hedace due to broxism , you killed me with this one . I also play guitar with the jawww😂

[@gohamm8629]

That’s his secret. That’s not actually an amp and guitar making those sounds, he’s just singing. That’s why no one else can match his insane tone.

[@pawelos4]

Bea's powercords sound heavier than 10 godzillas jumping at the same time

[@remy7092]

I liked the fist riff he played in the riffs wars video... the dissonance was disgustingly stellar.

[@dobby240]

IM SO GLAD YOU MADE THIS. That riff has been haunting my guitar playing for ages. I spent a solid week trying to play it. I love it so much. Please make it on the next grinding gears EP I would fucking love that.

[@SBMoto24]

dobby240 I know exactly how you feel! Been pausing Riff Wars 3 a lot to see where his damn fingers were lol

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

@@SBMoto24 i know these comments are old but youtube has feature to slow down the video on the gear button in the bottom right of the video (only on PC so far)

[@nathanaelfredericko2507]

bea absolutely kill fluff in those wars XD

[@gadielfarrel4552]

Yea lol

[@AnupRahman]

After playing those pinch on 17:56 Rabea : (with Satisfying Smile) oh yeah, that's what I was missing... XD

[@neilweir-smith8228]

This video makes me sad. You just wrote a riff in two minutes that is massively better than anything I have ever written no matter how long I have spent working on it. Amazing playing as always, but today it makes me want to cry a little.

[@patrix_guitar]

Please make a how to dial in your tone/amp/ir. What are you looking for in bass/mid/treble presence eg.

[@screambluemurder101]

Riffs Guitar & Gin yes!!!

[@willowsparks4576]

he's said before he uses not much bass, a lot of mids, and some highs with a fair bit of presence but he didn't say what exact settings were

[@EmbarrassedComposer]

Man your new pickup sounds so sick! Seems to have a great balance of articulation and fatness 🤘

[@RabeaMassaad]

Glyn Humphreys thanks man, yeah I’m really happy with how they’re sounding!

[@jukesters123]

thats what i was thinking,what amp,what pups.

[@AveryGreen]

@@jukesters123 Well it's Rabea so likely a Super Kraken and Bareknuckles

[@beedubz1322]

I discovered you a few years back through Chappers. Both of you are awesome. I became a fan because of your talent (which is undeniable). I love all the Andertons stuff. I've learned so much. However, You shine through as the one I'm learning the most from. I just want to say thank you.

[@jamatheo]

God dammit, just a few hours ago I was re-visiting Riff Wars just to hear those riffs again. And here we are. It's so random it's almost spooky. Thank you Rabea.

[@KsiazeIgor]

Been there, done that yesterday. Since I saw the episode#3 for the first time, I can't get rid of THAT RIFF from me head.

[@adriansoul7223]

You had me at "alright guys how you doin it's rabea"

[@christophertrollan1188]

I'd love to hear that riff on a full length song at some point Bea!

[@musicjrb4119]

Me too

[@monsterk7603]

Me three. GROOVE!

[@AnthonySmith-sc4zs]

Oh my god yes please

[@markwflyge]

That riff wars riff has been melting my face since you did it. I love your playing. Karnivool and Sikth are some of my favorites also so , go figure.

[@shanewallace6940]

Rabea has been my favourite you tuber for many years now. I have purchased all his albums and li just love his sound and equally, I love how genuine he is. Nothing but love from Vancouver, Canada 😎

[@DermoniS]

Make this a series ! Approach To Writing Heavy Riffs #2. Love your playing style

[@taterfight]

Riff Wars 3 is how I first discovered you. I was blown away by your playing and still am. You have changed my playing in the best ways. Thanks man!

[@rocketPower047]

Pretty much same here. Right when I was getting back into guitar after moving to Japan. Huge inspiration

[@BPatient1]

Finally! That riff has haunted me since riff wars came out - so juicy!

[@TheAxshredder]

This is also my go-to approach not just for riffing but also for songwriting. Start with a bass/chord progression and keep adding layers of colours and subtle differences with major/minor chords, arpeggios or just notes that adjust to the rythmic pattern of the song. Thank you for uploading this Bea!!

[@SlickD217]

I really really want to hear that riff made into a full song!!!!

[@lorenzo3987]

I second that!

[@ding210]

Thanks Rabea. It's really cool to watch you work. It reinforces the need for us to really get more comfortable with our theory chops.

[@brackenquinton2955]

When a 20 minute video feels like 5 minutes you know it’s a good one! Great work and as many others have mentioned, sick tone!!!

[@johnw5734]

Thank you so much for showing us this approach to writing on guitar. To me this is a very fresh new technique........and the sound, like nothing I've heard before.

[@JoshCastleTCM]

I swear in the current music scene. You’re on the top of absolute monster riffs. Your riffs have such a unique touch to them and don’t think there’s anyone else out there like it.

[@Soulpiercerofficial]

Second riff goes hard and your playing is so dope dude 🤘

[@19Stride]

17:55 that look when the pinch harmonic sounds even better than you thought

[@gyrosphinx]

I loved the video! Watching the process was fantastic, very inspiring to observe your thought process. Also, goodness, that tone is awesome!

[@andrewcrow-roberts5286]

Thanks Rabea! I’m new to guitarist and this was extremely helpful in leading me to writing my own riffs. The combo of heavy and melodic was well balanced in their structure. And the fact that you kept it to just a few bars made it extremely easy to follow. Maybe a reverse of this with more melodic progressive structures would be helpful too. Allowing the whole progression to open up. Again, this was extremely helpful. All your videos tend to do that. Your mindset to not just putting out the same type of video as other guitarist is probably your greatest trait and best part of tuning into your channels. I’m very grateful.

[@jaredt3985]

Another fantastic video, I absolutely love this approach to riff writing. Thanks Bea

[@renaudnavarro1596]

Rebea a véritablement une sensibilité et une profondeur qui font de lui un véritable artiste créateur. Je suis émerveillé à chacune de ses oeuvres. Elles m'arrachent du coeur ce que je ne sais pas exprimer avec ma gratte ....

[@basswolf86]

This has given me some great ideas for expanding on riffs, so they become less static. I think this as a series would be cool! Keep it going bro!

[@molokaiiuhane]

YEah MAn, VEry helpful. You have a great way of explaining things.

[@danielkreft]

I love this style of video. It is very informative and inspires me to try new things!

[@kivitelezo]

Thank you for the huge inspiration, Bea! I'm 40 this year and I lost my "mojo" long long ago upuntill I heard the first Toska album. You and your music gave me so much inspiration that time I started to write music again and started to enjoy playing the guitar again. Thank you, Rabea!

[@brianlight2196]

That's one of my favorite metal riffs I've ever heard, great job.

[@R.Nashoba]

Everyone has a different approach which is the beautiful thing about music,.. totally loved this 👊🏽

[@garrethernando1821]

Major major help. I was really stuck in making riffs. Thanks Bea!

[@Arkham_UK]

Love watching the creative process. A series would be awesome! Very helpful and interesting

[@ethanwelles]

Man that rig sounds so fucking good. I'm just beside myself hearing it. Cannot fucking wait to get my Kraken! Oh, and YES to more of this content!!! I've been playing for 28 years and have been around the writer's block so many times. This kind of candid content is always helpful!

[@Italian_Spiderman]

Good golly Miss Molly it’s The Riff! Thanks for showing us how this masterpiece works

[@eatfoss]

I'm at that point where I've been playing for a long time but have always been self taught and not as "serious" as I could/should have been. I've been teaching myself music theory (again not seriously, just on and off) for a couple of years because I enjoy theory, but wasn't exactly sure how I could properly apply it to my writing. This video has just opened my eyes to it all. Your explanation has helped me see it like a keyboard, where the notes are right there in front of me and I just need to know which ones to pick. I know that's essentially the same as a fret-board, but my brain doesn't work that way, Just know that your description has made it click, in my head, where it didn't before. Thank you Bea, you absolute legend.

[@eatfoss]

And now, having finished watching the whole thing, I want to thank you again. From now on, this is THE video to watch for inspiration in riff writing.

[@shogunc7718]

What a mad man. He actually did it and answered the people haha. Rabea is the best. Really digging this video, I'll be coming back to this vid multiple times I'm sure.

[@Loonaticx]

Definitely worth the watch. It's like learning with him

[@Misanthropic-King]

dude im so grateful you made this video, this riff is absolutely dope

[@jadenrrose]

14:35 The way you picked those chord extensions out on the spot in that turnaround phrase is amazing! This is the skill I need to hone. Also, that might be the best bridge pickup I've ever heard.

[@JackMuskrat]

I love the little smile Rabea has at the end when playing the riff for the last time. That lil knowing "oh yeah, that's the good stuff" :) great insight into your writing process.

[@ToneDead666]

Awesome to see a genius at work! 🤘🏼🔥🤘🏼

[@martinhagen2913]

I must say i was happy to find this vid Rabea, i listened to the riff wars episode and it really stuck to me. Managed to find out how it was played, but getting the whole thing explained made such a difference. Thanks man, yeh this is def content i'd want to see more of.

[@federicogarufi479]

Oh Rabea, I would freaking love a series like this. And can you please do a tutorial/explaining video on how you program drums and how you decide what are the grooves and the drum kit parts that fit better the riff/song?

[@grantsly9548]

Could you do FULL Dorje and Toska guitar lessons in the future

[@mikevendetti7604]

I saw that riff wars video about a year ago and still have it saved! I still watch it even. The 3rd riff of yours has been my favorite riff ever since. I’m so glad you did a video on the process on which it was built. It doesn’t surprise me at all everyone wanted a video on how to play it. Just a beautiful riff and amazing video and playing as always. Cheers!

[@brenjaminpoet7252]

ITS LIKE YOU FUCKING READ MY MIND THESE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RIFFS I’VE HEARD YOU PLAY

[@esdrassilva5121]

I love yours riffs Bea. Thanks for this video.

[@s.s.o.georgia7034]

I'm so incredibly happy to see you make this video! Not only do you gift us the secret sauce for righting better riffs (in context), but we've all been trying our damnedest to deconstruct THAT RIFF! Dude... You're a genius.

[@ArchieDeMark]

mannn apparently you have been my teacher and mentor for a year at least ! keep on going with this staff of course !!!!!!! love you ,you are the BEST!

[@freeelectron8261]

Great stuff Rabea. More vids like this one, thanks!

[@Vortexafternoon]

Very helpful! Just cool to see how someone else explores new riff ideas.

[@irrsinnrainer]

Awesome Video! Thank you for the insight and inspiration!

[@thelionhearted6824]

This is such a brilliant video. You rarely get to see the mental and physical process of actually writing a riff from the ground up, nor the dissection of the steps that go into it. As a rhythm player, this might be my single favorite video on KZbin about playing and creating. Cheers.

[@mortenlune8308]

Very cool and extremely helpful. Learning new ways of writing riffs is so easy when you dive into the topic. Thanks Rabea!

[@KsiazeIgor]

Grab some diatonic thirds (or sixths), squeeze in a drop of melancholy, add some off-beat rhythms and bang! you have it. Oh, almost forgot. Be Rabea at the same time. With no regret whatsoever I'd claim it for YTers: we have been waiting for this riff to be revealed in pieces for way too long. Thank you so much man, this was boss!

[@ChinqMiau1]

What a tone! Thick, full and chewy yet well defined. So good.

[@felixmorvan1573]

Literally blown away with the definition and the clarity of this proto sig pickup

[@maxschmidt100]

More of this, please! I am a huge fan of your style of playing and would be very happy if you would continue this series no matter in which direction it goes. I play guitar myself and have often tried to copy Toska stylistically, but if you explain how you approach your riffs, it's a thousand times better. Thanks a lot!

[@r3dh34d32]

Definitely a format of video that I would really love to see more often, because I find myself hooked and bound to watch and unable to turn away here. A thing I have to admit I do often during gear demos and stuff..... maybe you can like, do something like this for different kinds of riffs (diving deeper, like in the same genre but different kind of riff) or like some videos you've already done (my approach to...) but more detailed like here... ? just brainstorming but really gotta say that the pacing and the "Chapters" in this video are perfect for me to watch this whole thing very happily and attentively through!

[@packinstinct8608]

I'm literally sweating after trying to learn how to play this song tonight. Funny thing is I've been trying to learn that riff for the past 2 days since your last Ask The Fro video just watching and listening but I had it so wrong lol. Thanks Bea!

[@MRxr400]

nice tone that lets those more complex chords have clarity. driven reasonably hard, though sounds heavier with the add2's etc. love your feel and mutant chord choices.

[@mikehulsey4813]

Another one to keep pushing me through the rut. Thanks for all the sounds you leave with us man!

[@noodle845]

Nice video Rabea. Only just seen this. Love that combination of groove chuggy riffage, with the spicy chords for seasoning. I need to do some of that 👍

[@planzed463]

Great video, brilliant advice... such a great riff! I’ve been writing different kindsa music for about 35yrs, the best riffs usually start out as nice chord progressions that lock into the rhythm section. You have a great ear for progressions, thanks for sharing

[@luboetr]

Make more videos like those...they are very helpful. :) Thanks man!

[@062_kushalpandit4]

That was the video from where i came to know Rabea and soon became a fan of his immense riffing and soloing!

[@thewalrus1968]

Writes riff off top of head . Probs best riff i could ever dream to write ...ever .. sooo good

[@baratonianmetalboys4480]

Right proper video Rebea! I would watch this series regardless of the genre, but a prog metal one would be killer!

[@alex_the.mallett]

It was definitely awesome and inspiring to watch you write a riff on the spot. I know for me, it’s easy to listen to the riffs people like you write and think it just comes to you the way it’s recorded, but to watch you start from scratch and end up with a monster riff definitely builds up some confidence. Would love to see a continuation of the series!

[@JoshHarrelson]

One of my favorite videos of yours yet!

[@Ka1hal]

Amazing vid, very useful. I just hoped you'd break down riff #2 at the end, so filthy and sick. Maybe it can be interesting to analyse a whole song like "does it djent?", in my opinion it is one of the most complete pieces you have written. Riff, chord progression, percussive style, clean chords and arpeggios, tons of melodic content.

[@JJYacco]

That smile on the last pinch. Bliss

[@JJYacco]

This was sick per usual. Loved it. Very helpful.

[@dptyd]

Awesome man!! My V4 Kraken came home with me on Tuesday and the raw power of that Gain 2 tone caused a smile from ear to ear; I will be playing with some of your suggestions tonight! Respect and many thanks!!

[@jules7181]

Your approach and use of chords is really unique. Such a great symbiosis of ferocious heavyness and layered big and haunting chords. You are a true inspiration for guitarists of many genres and for musicians in general! Keep up riffing and this styleanalysis series! Cheers and thank you!

[@monsterk7603]

Love watching the genius unfold with riff on the spot. Great great info, Bea. More videos like this would be great!!!!

[@sennata7221]

This was actually tremendously helpful to me and my personal writing style will gain from this!

[@yaguitar]

Genuinely an inspirational guitarist - so few concentrates on how chords can be used like this!

[@KeenenBlockson]

That on the spot riff was killer all the way through

[@AlessandroSpenga]

Awesome video! I always loved your first riff from riff wars 3

[@angeloxboss]

watched some of this and turned around started playing in drop c# and came up with 3 songs on the spot, thanks Rabea!!!

[@titihola3012]

Thanks a lot for this video, i wanted to Learn it first time i saw it on the riff war, really cool :)

[@stevegaede17]

RM you my new FLAVORITE !!! tasty fire riffs! good coaching jovial attitude I'm a fan just subscribed !!

[@rjwagz]

It would be really fun to see a series of these videos!

[@clearviewpodcast1981]

This is a really interesting and insightful video on how you approach your riffs! Sounds awesome too. Thanks

[@aacgoudie3642]

Definitely do more of these videos!!! This was one of the most informative and interesting videos I've seen as far as composition goes. More genres for sure! Some hard rock, prog, classic rock, etc.

[@DevilsAdvocate92]

Those signature Bareknuckles sound really beastly, in a good way of course. Could you do a video where you explain your hybrid picking technique, featuring some ambient stuff maybe?! Cheers!

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome video and thanks for sharing your tips 👍

[@meowmersosorio3262]

I'VE WAITED FOR THIS SO LONG OMG I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

[@meowmersosorio3262]

now I have to wait for it to become a song, it would be so nice

[@meowmersosorio3262]

I'm fangirling so much I want to be like you Rabea

[@dbo4506]

I love the way you use chords!!! 🙌