Learn How to Play a Guitar Riff

A riff doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. Sometimes, all it takes are just four notes, repeated in succession to create a catchy riff that burns itself inside your brain. Case in point, Green Day’s “When I Come Around.”

The main riff uses only four notes played on two strings to form the basis for almost the entire song. A shining example of 1990s pop punk, “When I Come Around,” relies on a simple, melodic riff on the lower strings. It can be played on both bass or guitar for a thick, meaty sound. Let’s learn how to play this riff. But first, it’s important to know more about riffs in general.

What is a Riff?

A riff can be made up of notes or chords that form a pattern in a song. Some of the most recognizable riffs are repeated throughout a song. Other riffs can be heard only once in a guitar solo. A riff can form the melody of a song, or provide a steady counter to the song’s vocal melody.

How to Play Green Day’s “When I Come Around”

In under two minutes, you can learn to play the main riff from Green Day’s “When I Come Around.” Released in 1994, the song introduced punk band Green Day to mainstream fans and ushered in a wave of pop punk. Propelled forward by a simple, yet catchy riff, “When I Come Around” has a bottom-heavy bounce to it.

The riff is played with single notes, starting with the second fret of the Low E string. Play the second fret of the low E three times.

Next, jump over to the fourth fret of the next string - the A string. Play that note three times.

Finally, slide your fingers from the fourth fret to the sixth fret of the A string. Play that note twice before sliding your finger back over to the seventh fret of the Low E string and playing that note once.

Practice the finger patterns on your own a few times. Then, watch the video above to play along and get a rhythm for the riff yourself.

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