Today we’re breaking down a riff inspired by Jack White’s signature rock style. This riff is super fun to play, combining single notes, pull-offs, and power chord strums. Plus, it’s a great chance to experiment with your tone by adding fuzz and pitch octave effects. If you want to dive deeper into Jack White’s style, check out the full artist study here.
To start, let’s talk tone. For that Jack White vibe, crank up a fuzz pedal for extra sustain and gain, and use an octave effect to blend in higher octaves. You can hear this on the open A string where the upper octave adds some punch.
The riff begins with a pick on the open A string, then moves to the fifth fret of the B string (E note) and the seventh fret of the G string. From there, you’ll pull off to the fifth fret and then to the open G string. Add a pull-off from the fifth to fourth fret on the G string, then pick the fifth fret of the D string (G note). End this section with a syncopated strum on a C power chord (third fret A string, fifth fret D string).
For variety, the second time through, replace the C power chord with a D power chord (fifth fret A string, seventh fret D string). After repeating the initial riff, finish with a series of power chords, moving between D and C. Add a slight bend on the D chord for texture, pulling the strings toward the floor to avoid losing fretboard space.
When you put it all together, the riff captures Jack White’s dynamic, raw sound.
