On riffs

6/28/2007 5:53:00 PM

It's sad that very few guitarists know how to make a good riff these days.
The recipe is simple: Just try to think of something that stays in your head from the moment you hear it. Like these:

Atomic / Blondie

About three notes. Great bassline too.

Butterfly / Grazy Town

Shows what a good pedal (Holy Grail) can do to a guitar. And I know where it came from, a good riff just doesn't count without lyrics.

Hey Mr. Tambourine Man / The Byrds

A landmark sound. Probably the first time the guitar went straight to the board, just through a number of tube compressors. Do try this at home.