VIDEO LESSON

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Part of the greatness of Kirk’s riff is its harmony, which never quite settles into one key/scale. Early on, it hops between blues scale and Phrygian mode; later between blues scale and Dorian. We’ll end the theory talk here, suffice to say this ambiguity is at the core of the riff’s sound. Despite the complex harmony, it’s an easy riff to play. Just make sure to move up to the 7th fret with your third finger. It’ll keep your first and second fingers in prime position just behind on the 5th and 6th frets.

Appears at: 0:55-1:11

Tempo: 124 bpm

Key/scale: Blues scale / Dorian mode

Main techniques: Powerchords, offbeat timing

TG TIP: Use choppy downstrokes for the previous section, but a more fluid picking style when you reach the main riff.