Ive been messing around trying to put the theory to the test!! I looked at the pentatonic scales and used the 5 notes as power chords to make little tunes! what d'ya know the first scale i picked was what a guns n roses song was based on, "back off bitch", anyway, the main point, how do you invent origonal riffs? do you pick a couple of chords n mess around with them or just shred!
I taped myself shredding to "knockin on heavens door" by guns n roses and discovered a couple of small riffs i accidently did!
Joe Perry from aerosmith jams and sometimes doesnt notice of he pulls off something really good. Steve tyler n brad whitford often have to point it out.
So is it really only while in a band with the other instruments playing that you can make good riffs.

later AXL

PS. you guys will be proud to hear i learnt all about the roman numeral system!