The opening riff of Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple is the most-learned riff in guitar history. Four notes, four shapes, and it sounds great on day one.
Play along
smoke on the water
The shapes (low two strings)
Use your index finger to barre two strings at each fret. All on the low E and A strings:
e|------------------------
B|------------------------
G|------------------------
D|------------------------
A|--5---7---8--7--5---7--6--
E|--5---7---8--7--5---7--6--
Read that: fret 5 on both strings, then fret 7, fret 8, back to 7, etc.
Strum pattern
Down strokes only. Let each shape ring for a beat. Two strings at a time with the pick.Drill it
Practice metronome
80BPM
Start at 80 BPM. Once it feels comfortable, bump to 100, then 110. Loop the riff. Track your tempo. Aim for one clean pass at 100 BPM by the end of this lesson.
Try it with the play-along
Open the song player above. The chords scroll in time. Set your amp to a clean tone first; once you have the notes right, dial in a little overdrive and you will hear the magic.Next: palm muting. The rock fundamental that makes everything sound bigger.