Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

Quick licks: easy #7

News
By Guitar Techniques published 13 October 2011

Stones rhythm and Muse riffage

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Easy lick one: Keith Richards style rhythm

Easy lick one: Keith Richards style rhythm

Here's a classic Rolling Stones style riff in Richards' favourite DGDGBD tuning. Make sure the pull-off s are clean and even whilst holding the chords down and use a confident strum to give this riff the attitude it needs. Try some classic Fender amp crunch for authenticity, using a bridge single coil.

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
Easy lick two: Muse style riff

Easy lick two: Muse style riff

A super riff in F# minor pentatonic (F#, A, B, C#, E, F#). Crank the gain and pay special attention to the hammer-ons, aiming to keep them smooth and as loud as the picked notes. The last 'A' note requires a bit of fretting hand fourth finger strength to bend the sixth string a little.

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
Guitar Techniques
Read more
The Rolling Stones
Artists “Brian Jones was the first steel slide player I heard”: Keith Richards pays tribute to Stones guitarists past and present
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Human League
Artists Replicate the sonic magic of the Human League’s defining synth-pop anthem
 
 
Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs during the band's St. Anger tour
Guitars “These songs are played a lot. They’re often not played well”: Guitar Center reveal the Top Ten riffs played at their stores
 
 
Mark Morton with his signature Les Paul Modern
Artists Mark Morton on the secret to his crushing Lamb Of God rhythm tone, and why some effects are best left to post-production
 
 
A PRS McCarty 594 on a hard case
Electric Guitars Best electric guitars 2026: Our pick of guitars to suit all budgets
 
 
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Guitar maintenance
Guitars "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard
 
 
Tom Morello
Artists How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
 
 
Close up of a person playing guitar
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
Close up of a person holding an acoustic guitar bathed sunlight
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
 
 
MusicNomad fret tuition
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Can you fix your guitar's frets yourself? We try three innovative approaches from MusicNomad to investigate how they might conquer a major cause of fret buzz
 
 
Latest in News
Close up of Musician Hands Playing Synthesizer Keyboard in Neon Lighting. Artist Producing Music in Home Studio, Recording Audio with Professional Equipment. Creative Arts and Hobby Concept.
Gigs & Festivals Audience member steps in for ailing keyboard player during a live orchestral showing of La La Land
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01:  Photo of COMMODORES; L-R Walter Orange and Ronald La Pread performing on stage  (Photo by Mike Prior/Redferns)
Artists Commodores co-founder and bassist Ronald LaPread has died, aged 75
 
 
Bret Michaels performs during the 2026 Extra Innings Festival at Tempe Beach & Arts Park on February 27, 2026
Gigs & Festivals “More divisive than what I agreed to be a part of”: Bret Michaels excuses himself from the ‘Great American State Fair’
 
 
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 01: Roger Daltrey of The Who Performs At Acrisure Arena at Acrisure Arena on October 01, 2025 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Artists "I mean, it’s extraordinary": Roger Daltrey says that his voice is as strong as ever
 
 
CMAT performs during Radio 1's Big Weekend at Herrington Country Park on May 24, 2026
Singers & Songwriters “Success is increasingly becoming tarnished”: CMAT confronts social media abusers in a candid, emotional post
 
 
US musician and artist Jack White sits on "Sam Phillips Sofa" (2016) as he attends a photocall for the "Jack White: These Thoughts May Disappear" exhibition at Newport Street Gallery on May 28, 2026 in London, England. The exhibition marks the first public presentation of works by the American artist and musician Jack White, featuring his monumental sculpture The Red Tree (2015). (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Guitarists “Working with power tools is therapeutic”: Jack White opens an exhibition of ‘hardware store art’
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...