20 Easy Guitar Riffs

Set off on your journey to mastering 20 easy guitar riffs found in some of the most iconic rock songs ever made.

These are the best guitar riffs to learn for those who don’t have time for hours of lessons but are curious to discover the techniques and styles that have defined rock music over the ages.

Exploring these legendary tracks will immerse you in the world of rock, showcasing a variety of playing styles and technical skills.

In these 20 easy guitar riffs, you’ll find the hard-hitting riffs of Led Zeppelin and their aggressive palm muting and fast-paced picking which became the cornerstone of hard rock in the 70s.

Meanwhile, there’s the straightforward power and rhythm found in AC/DC’s riffs which, if you pay close attention, offer a sturdy foundation in timing and chord transitions, making them ideal for beginners and inquisitive intermediates alike.

And for those looking to step it up a notch there’s the dynamic challenge of Ozzy Osbourne’s electrifying riffs on “Crazy Train”.

This guide also includes historic blues numbers.

Chuck Berry’s lively riffs will introduce you to double stops and syncopated rhythms – fundamental elements that have gone on to influence countless rock songs.

Following the blues train, these 20 easy guitar riffs wouldn’t be anything if they didn’t have Eric Clapton, the world’s greatest innovator of blues music or the rousing southern classic “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd’s.

And if you thought that all these riffs were stuck in the old classics, there’s plenty of modern numbers to be found in these 20 easy guitar riffs.

You can get moody with Nirvana, mosh out to Metallica or play the power chords of the Kings of Leon’s anthemic  “Sex Is On Fire” while your mates sing the chorus.

When you have these guitar riffs nailed down, your friends will have you reaching for the guitar every time they’re over. 

Starting with these riffs offers a balanced mix of styles and techniques that cover old and new takes on rock music which are still relevant today.

Not only will you build a solid foundation in how to play by exploring the full breadth of possibilities at your fingertips, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for rock and its impact on the legacy of music.

These are the best guitar riffs to learn if you want to have a well-rounded repertoire that’ll both impress your peers and bring you closer to a style of music that you’ll fall deeper and deeper in love with.

Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love: Van Halen

Lead guitarist of Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, first wrote “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” as a joke. He meant it to be a parody of a punk song but it quickly became a fan favourite, showcasing Van Halen’s innovative guitar techniques and David Lee Roth’s raucous vocals.

Along with the catchy riff, the way the track leaps from electrifying guitar solos to soft breaks before landing on its rallying chorus introduced the world to Van Halen’s dramatic range. 

Back In Black: AC/DC

“Back in Black” was written as a tribute to Bon Scott, the former AC/DC frontman who passed away due to alcohol poisoning in February 1980.

The band tasked Brian Johnson,  the new lead singer, to come up with the lyrics for this tribute, telling him that they mustn’t be dark but celebratory, so that they honoured their great friend. When Johnson came out with lines like “I got nine lives / Cat’s eyes / Abusin’ every one of them and running wild” the band immediately liked it and ran with it.

Back in Black, their album of the same name, became one of the best-selling albums of all time, cementing AC/DC/s legacy in rock music.

Heartbreaker: Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s lead guitarist Jimmy Page recorded the guitar solo to “Heartbreaker”’s separately from the rest of the band, using a unique pull-off technique which creates a quivering or stuttering effect.

This song, which appeared on their 1969 album “Led Zeppelin II” is also a great example of the band’s powerful blend of hard rock and blues influences which have had a lasting impact on the evolution of rock music.

Johnny B. Goode: Chuck Berry

Often hailed as one of the greatest rock and roll songs of all time, Chuck Berry’s partly autobiographical “Johnny B. Goode”, released in 1958, tells of a country boy who dreams of becoming a rock star.

The opening guitar riff is actually borrowed from Louis Jordan’s 1948 jive tune “Ain’t That Just Like A Woman” yet there is no doubt that Berry made it his own with his dynamic playing and incendiary vocals.

Layla: Eric Clapton

Half inspired by a 7th century Persian love story and half inspired by Clapton’s love for Pattie Boyd, the then-wife of his friend George Harrison, “Layla” is a passionate rock ballad that Eric Clapton wrote for his band Derek and the Dominos.

Harrison, who would go on to play for the Beatles, married Boyd in 1966. Clapton eventually had his way and married Boyd two years after she divorced Harrison in 1977.

Whether “Layla” had anything to do with it is unlikely…but it does have some heart wrenching guitar riffs and remains one of Clapton’s most celebrated works.

Norwegian Wood: The Beatles

“Norwegian Wood (The Bird Has Flown)” is known for its pioneering use of the sitar, played by George Harrison.

It is said Harrison grew enamoured with the Indian instrument during the filming of the Beatles film Help! and it was one of the first instances of Indian instruments in Western rock music. “Norwegian Woods” popularity in turn boosted the visibility of Indian music around the world and many other Western pop artists began incorporating non-Western instruments and rhythms into their work.

Paradise City: Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses lead vocalist, Axl Rose, came up with “Paradise City”’s iconic opening line while the band were jamming in the back of a rental van after a gig in San Francisco. Rose sang “Take me down to the Paradise City” before Slash, the lead guitarist, came in with, “Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.”

Slash came up with another more racy alternative but the band agreed on those original lines before Slash finally laid down the riff which drives the song. 

Rebel Rebel: David Bowie

“Rebel Rebel” by David Bowie, from his 1974 album “Diamond Dogs,” is a glam rock anthem and is seen as Bowie’s farewell to the genre. Unusually, Bowie played the guitar riff himself as well as the majority of the guitar on the album.

While it marked the end of Bowie’s stint in glam rock, it had the rebellious and rugged energy of punk. Bowie was constantly reinventing himself and this rebellious track epitomizes that and the way he could so easily influence fashion, music, and pop culture.

Sex On Fire: Kings Of Leon

In a Spin Magazine interview, lead singer of Kings of Leon, Caleb Followill said he originally thought that “Sex Is On Fire” was terrible and that his bandmates talked him into recording it.

A divisive record among day dot Kings of Leon fans, “Sex Is on Fire” nonetheless propelled the band to international fame and showed that they could blend indie sensibility with anthemic intensity, something they continued to pursue in their following albums. 

Smells Like Teen Spirit: Nirvana

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, from their 1991 album “Nevermind,” is often credited with bringing grunge music to the mainstream. Its riotous chorus and Cobain’s hoarse vocals captured the angst of a generation.

Paradoxically, the band (and lead singer Kurt Cobain in particular) grew uncomfortable with this fame, but they couldn’t stop it. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was a defining track of the 1990s and cemented Nirvana’s place in the history of rock, something Cobain loathed.

Still Got The Blues: Gary Moore

“Still Got the Blues” by Gary Moore, from his 1990 album of the same name marked a departure from his hard rock style, embracing a more traditional blues sound.

Moore’s heartfelt playing and the song’s impactful lyrics resonated with fans, earning it critical acclaim. “Still Got the Blues” remains one of Moore’s most loved tracks, showcasing his versatility as a musician.

Sultans of Swing: Dire Straits

“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits, from their 1978 self-titled debut album, includes Mark Knopfler’s distinct fingerpicking style.

The song was inspired by a jazz band that played to a nearly empty pub and Knopfer found the way their gaudy appearance contrasted with the modest surroundings to be funny – and a little inspiring.

Knopfler’s intricate guitar work and observational lyrics set the band apart from their contemporaries. “Sultans of Swing” became a breakthrough hit, establishing Dire Straits as one of the leading bands of the late 70s and early 80s.

Sunshine Of Your Love: Cream

Co-written by Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and lyricist Pete Brown, “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream from their 1967 album “Disraeli Gears” combines elements of rock, blues, and psychedelia.

Bassist Jack Bruce took direct inspiration for the riff from seeing Jimi Hendrix perform live at the Savile Theatre in London in 1967. Clapton admits that the bassline was indebted to Jimi Hendrix and that the band later elaborated on it.

Sweet Home Alabama: Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Sweet Home Alabama” was written as a response to Neil Young’s songs “Southern Man” and “Alabama” which Lynyrd Skynrd found to be too damning of the Southern US States and their support of slavery.

“Sweet Home Alabama” was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s way of restoring pride in the Deep South and while the rest of their music failed to make much of an impression, the opening guitar riff to this tune is one of the most beloved in rock and roll history. 

Albatross: Fleetwood Mac

Albatrosses are believed to bring luck to seafarers. This was the imagery that inspired Peter Green to write the soothing guitar melody for the instrumental tune, “Albatross”.

For the arrangement the band used timpani mallets to soften the drums and help create a serene sea setting.

The track reached number one in the charts and showcased Fleetwood Mac’s artistic vision which would develop significantly over the years.

All Right Now: Free

Andy Fraser said their rock classic “All Right Now” was written after the band played a terrible gig in Durham, walking out to the sound of their own footsteps on stage.

Fraser wrote the song in the dressing room straight after, noticing that the band needed a real “rocking” rock song to close their shows in the future. The song was a commercial breakthrough capturing the essence of 70s rock.

Already Gone: The Eagles

“Already Gone” by The Eagles, from their 1974 album “On the Border,” is an upbeat rock song with a message of empowerment and moving on from a bad relationship.

Written by Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund, the song features Glenn Frey’s energetic vocals and the band’s signature harmonies. “Already Gone” became a fan favourite and a staple of The Eagles’ live performances, highlighting their ability to blend rock with country influences. 

Crazy Train: Ozzy Osbourne

Written by Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, and Bob Daisley, “Crazy Train” from Osbourne’s debut solo album “Blizzard of Ozz,” features one of the most iconic riffs in rock history.

The song addresses the madness of the world and Osbourne’s personal struggles. It features a guitar riff composed by Rhoads who, as the story goes, was partly inspired by a sped up version of Steve Miller Band’s 1977 track “Swingtown”. 

Day Tripper: The Beatles

“Day Tripper” by The Beatles, was released as a double A-side single with “We Can Work It Out” in 1965. Written primarily by John Lennon, with contributions from Paul McCartney, the song’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics allude to an acid trip, an apt theme for the psychedelic rock band of the decade.

Don’t Fear The Reaper: Blue Öyster Cult

Blending rock with existential themes.  “Don’t Fear The Reaper” by Blue Öyster Cult, from their 1976 album “Agents of Fortune,” is one of the band’s most enduring hits.

It was written by lead guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and features a haunting riff and ethereal harmonies.

The track gained additional fame from its prominent use of a cowbell which was used in a popular “Saturday Night Live” sketch played by Will Ferrell and Christopher Walken. 

Enter Sandman: Metallica

“Enter Sandman” was a defining moment for Metallica and helped their eponymous 1991 debut album become one of the best-selling records in history.

The song is loosely based on a child having nightmares, yet it’s the sound of a driving “wall of guitars” that made the track really stand out, earning it a worldwide fan following.

Embarking on this journey to master these 20 easy guitar riffs is not just about learning songs; it’s about immersing yourself in the rich history and diverse techniques that have defined rock music for decades.

Each riff you conquer builds your skills and deepens your understanding of the genre, offering endless hours of enjoyment and personal growth as a musician.

If you want to take your learning even further, check out the “42 Classic Guitar Riffs Tab Book.”

This free downloadable resource is packed with detailed tablature for a wide range of classic riffs.

Plus, it includes three exclusive video lessons that guide you step-by-step through playing three of these legendary riffs.

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this book is an invaluable tool for your guitar-playing journey. Download it today and start rocking out to your favourite tunes! 

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