(00695929)
From All About Guitar
(00695929)
Triads are three-note chords and form the basis for many of rock’s classic riffs. Usually voiced on either the top
three strings or the D/G/B string set (see the following figure), these three-note chords are often mated with low
E-, A-, or D-string pedal tones (repeatedly sounded note). You’ll hear pedal-tone/triad riffs in songs such as
“Crazy Train,” by Ozzy Osbourne; “Substitute,” by the Who; “Run Like Hell,” by Pink Floyd; “The Song
Remains the Same,” by Led Zeppelin; “Running On Empty,” by Jackson Browne; “All Right Now,” by Free;
“Running With the Devil,” by Van Halen; “Brown Sugar,” by the Rolling Stones; and “Rock and Roll All Nite,”
by Kiss; just to name a few.
6fr5fr
16: 19
31
Em(add2)
x
31
Cadd2
x
4
32
Cadd9
x
3
4
21
Cadd9
xx
3114
Am(add9)
x
43
1
Cadd4
x
312
Dadd
xx
4
3
21
E7˜ 9
2
4
TRIADS & PEDAL-TONES
The Building Blocks for Great Guitar Riffs
by Tom Kolb
Triads are three-note chords and form the basis for many of rock’s classic riffs. Usually voiced on either the top three strings or the D/G/B
string set (see the following figure), these three-note chords are often mated with low E-, A-, or D-string pedal tones (repeatedly sounded
note). You’ll hear pedal-tone/triad riffs in songs such as “Crazy Train,” by Ozzy Osbourne; “Substitute,” by the Who; “Run Like Hell,” by Pink
Floyd; “The Song Remains the Same,” by Led Zeppelin; “Running On Empty,” by Jackson Browne; “All Right Now,” by Free; “Running With
the Devil,” by Van Halen; “Brown Sugar,” by the Rolling Stones; and “Rock and Roll All Nite,” by Kiss; just to name a few.
TRIADS & PEDAL-TONES
ROCK
BY TOM KOLB
The Building Blocks for Great Guitar Riffs
6fr5fr
16: 19
31
Em(add2)
x
31
Cadd2
x
4
32
Cadd9
x
3
4
21
Cadd9
xx
31
14
Am(add9)
x
43
1
Cadd4
x
312
Dadd
xx
4
3
21
E7˜ 9
xxx xxx xxx x x x
Major triads
xx x xx x
2;
4
16: 21
xxx
1
43
xxx
32
1
16: 21
143
x xx
32
1
xxx
x xx
21
3
xxx
23
1
xxx
121
xx x
21
3
xx x
Major triads
Minor triads
121
21
3
x xx x x x
1
31
Minor triads
xx x
111
xx x
12
3
111
xx x
12
3
xx x
x xx
xx x
1
23
xx x
3
21
Here are a couple of riffs that incorporate some of the above triads. The first example places whole-note B¯,
C, and Dm triads on the top three strings, and fortifies them with an open D–string pedal tone. Be sure to let the
triads ring as you pedal the D string. The second example features A, E, and D triads on the D/G/B string set, all
sandwiched between an open A–string pedal pattern.
The rhythms in this example are pretty tricky. You may want to listen to the examples before attempting it.
7fr 8fr
C major
pentatonic
C minor
pentatonic
21
3
231
1
1
1
1
23
1
31
5fr
D major
pentatonic
12fr 15fr
E minor-pentatonic boxes
3
21
&b44www B¯/Doe oeoeoeoeoeoe
let ring throughout
1
3
3
0
≥
0
≥
0
≥
0
≥
0
≥
0
≥
0
≥ ≥ ≥≥≥≥≥≥ ≥
www C/D
oe oeoeoeoeoeoe
3
5
5
0 000000
www Dm
w
5
6
7
0
&
###44 OE j oeoeoe ‰ ‰ j oeoeoe OE A E/A
Joe oe Joe oe oe oe
≥≥ ≥ ≥ ≥≥
≥≥
T
A
B
Here are a couple of riffs that incorporate some of the above triads. The first example places whole-note B, C, and Dm triads on the top
three strings, and fortifies them with an open D–string pedal tone. Be sure to let the triads ring as you pedal the D string. The second example features A, E, and D triads on the D/G/B string set, all sandwiched between an open A–string pedal pattern.
The rhythms in this example are pretty tricky. You may want to go online to listen to the examples before attempting it.
7fr 8fr
C major;
pentatonic
C minor;
pentatonic
5fr
D major;
pentatonic
12fr 15fr
E minor-pentatonic boxes
Fig. 1
T
A
B
5
6
7
≥
0
3fr
5
4
6
≥
3
2
4
≥
2
2
2
≥
0
0
0
00
0
0
Substitute
Click here to head to
premierguitar.com/dec2010
to hear sounds clips.
3fr
90 PREMIER GUITAR DECEMBER 2010 &## 4 4..
j oeoeoe ‰ D
oe
joeoeoe ‰ ...oeoeoe A/D oe oe oe
j oeoeoe G/D oe oe ‰oe
joeoeoe ‰ oe oe
joe oeoe
Dsus2
www.premierguitar.com.. oeoeoe OE
D
oe oeoe
Words and Music by
Peter Townshend
