Riff Based on an A Major Chord

This is a typical riff based on a simple A Major chord. You'll find this sound in the music of every major country artist today such as Alan Jackson, Montgomery Gentry, and Martina McBride.



When I take my finger off of the fretboard and play the open strings you'll notice that the A chord is actually moved to a G Major chord for a moment. Keep that in the back of your mind because it will be significant when we talk more about music theory (yes, it exists even in country music!).



Also, notice that I use my fingers to play certain strings. The technical term for what I'm doing is called hybrid picking and we'll definitely dive headfirst into that technique a little later in the course. You can try what I'm doing there, but don't let it keep you from playing this riff. If the picking hand fingers don't want to do this just yet go ahead and play the strings with the pick. It's best to know how to do it both ways.

Andy Gurley
Instructor Andy Gurley
Styles:
Country
Difficulty:
Riff Based on an A Major Chord song notation

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