Rock Style Guitar Course: Level 1
Learn to bring the high-energy in Rock Style Course 1! We’ll start you off with power chords and barre chords. Then you’ll be able to apply these chords to rhythmic patterns and start making music. Once you’ve got the rhythmic basics, you’ll learn how to play guitar with ripping solos and soaring riffs. We’ll also show you how to dial in classic rock guitar tones and sounds.
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Chapter: 1: Rock Chords: Open, Barre, and Power
Let's get started with the foundations of Rock rhythm guitar playing. You'll learn to play rock style riffs with open chords, barre chords and power chords. You'll get plenty of opportunity to put these chords to use in practice tunes.
Chapter: 2: Rock Rhythm: The Power of Rock
Continue to expand your knowledge of rhythm guitar techniques. You'll learn and apply rhythmic syncopations, embellishments and subdivisions, anticipations, strumming and arpeggiation patterns.
Chapter: 3: Rock Soloing 101
Let's jump into rock guitar solos! Learn to the major and minor scale as well as the all important pentatonic scale. You'll see how to apply basic soloing techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, bending and vibrato to build basic rock style licks and fills.
Chapter: 4: Riffs, Licks, and Themes
In this chapter you will expand you knowledge and skill in Rock guitar soloing by learning the distinctions between riffs, licks, themes and hooks. You'll can use these soloing concepts in the practice tunes.
Chapter: 5: Amps and Effects: Rock Your Tone
In this chapter you will learn about the basic gear and tones used in rock. You'll learn all about the guitars, amps and effects used to get a legit Rock guitar tone.
Chapter: 6: Born From the Blues
In this chapter you will get more in depth about various Rock styles. You'll learn what distinguishes early 50s rock from the 60s and 70s styles. You'll learn all about the high gain playing of the 80s and how things changed into the 90s and 2000s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning rock guitar can be pretty straightforward if you focus on the basics like power chords and simple riffs. It gets more challenging as you dive into solos and advanced techniques, but it’s totally doable with practice and patience. Especially with programs like Guitar Tricks.
School of Rock is a fine option for learning guitar. Online guitar lesson programs tend to be more preferred with their flexible schedule, affordable price, professional real-world instructors and detailed and vast lesson curriculum.
It depends on your goals and practice routine! You can start playing simple songs in a few months, but becoming confident in more advanced techniques might take a year or more of regular practice.
Rock Band is fun, but it’s not a real learning tool for guitar. However, it can inspire you to pick up a real guitar and start learning for real!
Guitar is often considered the easiest to start with since many rock songs have simple chord progressions that can be played as power chords. That said, every instrument has its challenges as you get better.
This is super subjective, but bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin are often praised for their incredible guitar tones. It’s all about the perfect blend of gear, technique, and creativity.
Standard tuning (EADGBE) is the most common for rock, but drop D tuning is also popular for heavier riffs. Some bands also experiment with other alternate tunings for unique sounds.
The G major chord is a favorite for many because it’s bright and full. Another contender is the D/F# chord, which adds a nice touch of richness and color to songs.
Many would argue that AC/DC has some of the best riffs, thanks to Angus Young’s iconic style. Bands like Led Zeppelin and Metallica are also legendary for their riff-heavy songs.
The “forbidden riff” usually refers to “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin. Guitar stores jokingly ban it because it’s played way too often by customers trying out guitars.
The riff from “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple is probably the most famous. It’s simple, instantly recognizable, and a go-to for beginners learning guitar.
