Ready to rock? These 30 beginner-friendly guitar riffs are legendary, fun to play, and perfect for building your skills. Whether you’re just picking up the guitar or looking to expand your classic rock vocabulary, this list is your launchpad.
🎵 The Riffs:
- Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes
2. Beat It – Michael Jackson
3. Smoke On The Water – Deep Purple
4. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
5. Come As You Are – Nirvana
6. Sunshine Of Your Love – Cream
7. You Really Got Me – The Kinks
8. Day Tripper – The Beatles
9. Redemption Song – Bob Marley
10. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
11. Iron Man – Black Sabbath
12. Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
13. Heart Of Gold – Neil Young
14. Enter Sandman – Metallica
15. Back In Black – AC/DC
16. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
17. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana
18. Walk This Way – Aerosmith
19. Rebel Rebel – David Bowie
20. Purple Haze – Jimi Hendrix
21. Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns ‘N’ Roses
22. ‘Layla’ – Eric Clapton
23. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
24. ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’ – Jimi Hendrix
25. Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin
26. Paranoid Android – Radiohead
27. This Charming Man – The Smiths
28. Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love – Van Halen
29. Money For Nothing – Dire Straits
30. Hotel California – The Eagles
🎯 Why Learn These?
- 🔹 Iconic and Recognizable – These riffs are crowd-pleasers at any jam session.
- 🔹 Technique Builders – Improve picking, timing, and transitions while having fun.
- 🔹 Confidence Boosters – Each riff learned brings you closer to full songs and solos.
🛠️ Quick Tips:
- Practice slowly and increase speed over time.
- Use a metronome or backing tracks.
- Don’t just memorize — understand the rhythm and feel of each riff.
- Play them clean first, then add distortion or effects.