We are building this Guitar Riffs Tabs Collection because we know that starting your journey on six strings can be a daunting task. Mastering those iconic guitar riffs and tabs we all grew up air-guitarring to is the fastest way to stay motivated. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned player looking to sharpen your fundamentals, these easy-to-follow riffs that will have you jamming in no time.
“Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
There is a reason “Smoke on the Water” is the first thing every guitarist learns. It is instantly recognisable and incredibly satisfying to play. While it is often played incorrectly with standard power chords, the original Ritchie Blackmore riff uses “double stops” (two notes played at once). It’s a great resource for anyone interested in learning guitar fundamentals.
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes
Jack White’s “Seven Nation Army” is the modern-day equivalent of a stadium anthem. Though it sounds like a bass guitar, it’s actually an electric guitar played through an octave pedal. This is a fantastic exercise for practicing your movement across the fretboard on a single string. You can find free tabs for this online, and it’s a perfect warm-up for building left-hand accuracy.
“Iron Man” by Black Sabbath
No Guitar Riffs Tabs Collection is complete without Tony Iommi. “Iron Man” is the ultimate heavy metal primer. Moving between the low E and A strings, this riff teaches you how to slide between power chords with precision. It’s an essential exercise for building finger strength and developing that heavy, driving rhythm that defined a genre.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
This legendary intro by Slash is a bit more advanced, but it’s a masterclass in string skipping and finger independence. Originally written as a technical “warm-up” exercise, it eventually became one of the most famous melodies in rock. Mastering this riff will significantly improve your timing and clean up your alternate picking technique.
“Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream
Eric Clapton’s work in Cream brought a new level of “woman tone” and bluesy phrasing to rock. “Sunshine of Your Love” is a great way to bridge the gap between simple riffs and blues-rock soloing. It helps you practice your syncopation and rhythm, and much like the pioneering work of Alexis Korner, it’s a lesson in how to make a single riff carry an entire song.
“Back in Black” by AC/DC
The riff that launched a million SG sales. Angus and Malcolm Young perfected the art of the rock ‘n’ roll “pocket” here. This riff focuses on the three most important open chords like (E, D, and A) followed by a bluesy lead lick. It’s the ultimate test of your ability to stop and start notes cleanly—essential for that signature AC/DC “snap.” For more like this, check out our beginner riff guide.
By working through these tabs, you’re not just learning songs; you’re building the muscle memory required to become a great guitarist. So grab your guitar and start jamming! Which riffs would you like to see in our next update? Let us know in the comments below.
