writing riffs

[just_me_really]

hey everybody.
i've got to the stage where im starting to feel confident enough to attempt writing my own music as well as doing covers. I'm working on about 3 "songs" at the moment, got 3 chord patterns basically. The thing is that they're all kinda mellow - i'd like to write something a bit rockier or riff-based.

Anybody got any tips on how to write a rock riff? If its successful i'll give you 25% of the profits! (honest)

cheers

just_me

 

[HetfieldRules]

Re: writing riffs

well i jsut started writing last year, and there are a couple ways i find and make riffs. sometimes i'll make something up in my head and try and reproduce it, although to do that you need a decent ear or some good guessing skills. i also jsut fool around and if something sounds cool a work w/ it. but i think the best way i write riffs is messing around w/ scales. the Minor Pentatonic, the Aolian, and then jsut chromatic things. theres no such thing as a wrong note, you jsut have to make it work. i think you best bet is to start messing around w/ the minor pentatonic scale and adding some chromatic notes. also try to stay away from jsut going up the scale, try some interesting patterns and string changes...but thats just my 2 cents

 

[Artie]

Re: writing riffs

I think that the difference between mellow and rock is going to be more in the way you attack the chords, rather than what they actually are.

Just play 'em with attitude.

 

[Erlend_G]

Re: writing riffs

I agree with ArtieToo on that one .

Just try to play it "rockier", with more palm mutes, pinch harmonics and gain