How To Write Better Riffs - Variation In Repetition

Write better riffs using the simple idea of variation within repetition.

In this lesson I use two songs as examples of how changing and varying riffs during repeats can help add interest and subsequently make for a better riff.

The two songs I look at are 'Walk' by Pantera and 'Walk With Me In Hell' by Lamb of God.

'Walk' has an iconic riff that plays for the majority of the song, but there's enough small variations in how the riff is utilised in the song that it prevents it from becoming too repetitive and boring.

'Walk With Me In Hell' makes great use of varying riffs in the two verse. The two verse use the same riff ideas, but slightly change them each time. This again creates enough variety to keep it interesting, but familiar enough at the same time.

This is the first lesson video like this I've done so if there's any thing that will help improve future videos let me know below in the comments.

If there's any topics you'd like to know about let me know in the comments as well.

I hope you found this lesson useful!

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Signal Chain;

TSB-1 Tyrant, Noise Gate, Le456 amp sim, LeCab with a combination of God's cab, Marshall and Diezel Impulses, Stereo Tape delay set to 0 delay so that it acts as tape saturation, and finally a bit of subtractive EQ to just tidy up the sound a bit as always.

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You can also check out Shadow Mantra and download my first album as a 'pay what you want' download!

[sethferrin]

I've been binging your channel for a few weeks now, and also playing along with your Gojira tab videos, and I just have to say that you've been the biggest help to me trying to figure out certain Gojira parts as well as becoming a better musician in general. Very thankful you're as obsessed with the French guys as me, as well as your vast knowledge on the genre as a whole. Just wanted to say you're very much appreciated, and your content is helping some guy like me all these years later

[Fafer]

It gave me an idea to try with a simple riff I wrote altough it's not the "Variation In Repetition" You were talking about. Helpfull, pleasent and well made. Hope to see more videos from You ^^

[royalmarine]

Very well put together Could you do some more stuff like this .

[vaemusic]

Something that is common sense but so hard to transfer into tracks. Thanks, great video! Also a killer tone man

[adrianmarshall]

What was the tone setting and gear you used on walk? It sounded fuckin good lmao