The 30 Guitar Riffs Everyone Should Know

"What is the one riff every guitarist should know?" I'm asking this question to all my buddies over at the NAMM show!

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Hi, my name is Paul Davids! I am a guitar player, teacher, producer, and overall music enthusiast from the Netherlands! I try to inspire people from all over the world with my videos, here on YouTube.

Thank you for watching!
Paul

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[gtrdoc]

You know you're watching too many guitar tutorial videos when you can instantly recognize every person Paul talked to.

[villamil_]

So surprised no one said "money for nothing". Great video as always Paul

[globaltrekkerexplorer]

Samurai Guitarist
"The point of playing music is to make people happy!" 🎉
Thanks, Paul, for making us happy! 😊

[carlosabellanosa]

Totally agree with Smoked on the water and surprised that (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction was not in the list!

[stormblessed]

The fact that everyone smiles at the chance of being a part of your videos speaks louder than any amount of subscribers or likes. That's what every musician should strive for, being someone who makes everyone around them happier and better. Kudos Paul, u da real mvp

[fleshbhones]

When Pete said "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room" I rolled my eyes and thought of course he'd say that. But his explanation as to why was very touching and well thought out! I'm learning it now.

[kayaboya]

The tone for each song is simply amazing. It is such a pleasure to listen you play those riffs although some of them might be 'overplayed'. Well, you can never get bored of such great playing!

[Cakechicken]

0:21 slow dancing in a burning room
0:41 beat it
1:12 here comes the sun
1:46 sweet home Alabama
2:03 b.b. king phrasing
2:27 schism
2:49 pride and joy
3:27 layla
3:53 nothing else matters
4:26 just got paid
4:51 erotomania
5:08 foxy lady
5:37 highway to hell
6:06 black dog
6:23 shine on you crazy diamond
6:45 smells like teen spirit
7:07 Johnny b Goode
7:28 drive my car
7:47 for the love of money
8:07 lost in Paris
8:29 Mr bright side
9:07 sunshine of your love
9:33 smoke on the water
9:49 sweet child o mine
10:07 stairway to heaven
10:32 classical gas
10:54 van halen

[MidnightXII]

*Disclaimer: difficulty ratings are based on the skill of Paul Davids.

[RCSmiths]

It's a blast seeing the different perspectives of what professionals believe are the best riffs that can enhance a guitarist's journey and ability. SO many different answers that give variety and opportunities. Thanks for this one man

[regularnimnule]

This was not what I expected, and it is all the better for it! I thought it'd be 'just another' top 30, but it was GREAT that you did it like this. Some self-explanatory ones but some lovely 'odd' choices as well. Well done, Paul.

[unacuentadeyoutube]

1.Danish Pete: Slow Dancing... by John Mayer
2.Rabea: Beat It by Steve Lukather (Michael Jackson)
3.Samurai Guitarist: Here Comes The Sun by The Beatles
4.Rhett Shull: Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
5.Tomo Fujita: BB King phrasing
6.Sean Daniel: Schism by Tool
7.Corey Congilio and Mimi Sounds: Pride and Joy by SRV
8.Nathaniel Murphy: Layla by Eric Clapton (Derek and the Dominoes)
9.Pete Thorn: Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
10.Rob Chapman: Just Got Paid by ZZ Top
11.Rudy Ayoub: Erotomania by Dream Theater
12.Rotem Sivan: Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix
13.Brittany Bowman: Hihgway to Hell by AC/DC
14.Trey Xavier: Blackdog by Led Zeppelin
15.Mick Taylor: Shine On by Pink Floyd
16.Mike Bradley: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
17.Cousin B: Johnny B. Good by Chuck Berry
18.Jake Lizzio: Drive My Car by The Beatles
19.Guitaro5000: For the Love of Money by The O'Jays
20.George Collins: Lost in Paris by Tom Misch
21.San Holo: Mr Brightside by The Killers
22.Perfecto de Castro: Sunshine of Your Love by Eric Clapton (Cream)
23.Guitarraviva and Mike Cole: Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
24.Leigh Fuge: Sweet Child... by Guns 'n' Roses
25.Casper Esmann: Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
26.Eddie van der Meer: anything by Tommy Emmanuel
27.Collin Hill: Classical Gas by Tommy Emmanuel
28.Brett Papa: anything by Van Halen

[cyrildia]

Hats off to everyone playing live at NAMM, I would never dare to play in front of SO MANY guitarists ! 😅

[sbpunk]

For me, the intro to Crazy Train-Ozzy(Randy Rhodes). Timeless riff and great for building dexterity with the pinky finger.

[paullapoint]

Great video. I was glad to see that Jake Lizzio is still around, one of the absolute best teachers on YouTube and with no videos for over a year I was a little concerned.

[johnstangland]

More than a feeling by Boston was my favorite album. The harmonies and that special Tom Schultz's unique sound effect is classic!

[rockista]

The riff of Drive my car... completely unexpected. What a pleasant surprise!

[fitnessdoc]

The best mixed video I have yet seen on YouTube. Period.

[eurotwink]

This video is actually perfect. I’m just getting back into guitar after not touching it since high school and I’ve had no idea what to learn, cause I’ve retained enough to be bored playing the basic beginner stuff, but I also need to rebuild my dexterity. This gives me a wide range of stuff to choose from based on what I like, and more importantly, it highlights the skills I’m learning or relearning from each one. Thank you ❤

[jtkane]

Great ZZ Top choice with "Just Got Paid".