Lick Practice Library

Classic licks by difficulty, with theory notes and gear tips.

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Showpiece Classics

Must-play riffs for trying guitars—recognizable, fun, and quick to learn.

25 classics5 categoriesSongsterr pro tabs

Instantly recognizable hooks with serious recall.

Hotel California (Intro)

IntermediateEaglesBm

The #1 guitar shop test—iconic arpeggios over a descending bass line in B minor.

Why it works:Shows fingerstyle control and classic-rock taste.

Practice points

  • ✓Keep the arpeggio steady and even
  • ✓Let the descending bass line sing
  • ✓Smooth chord changes
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 75 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Stairway to Heaven (Intro)

IntermediateLed ZeppelinAm

One of rock's greatest intros—Am arpeggios with chromatic bass.

Why it works:A respectful nod to a rock classic; musical and technical.

Practice points

  • ✓Keep the chromatic bass clear
  • ✓Play the high strings softly for an airy feel
  • ✓Control dynamics
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 72 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Nothing Else Matters (Intro)

BeginnerMetallicaEm

Metallica's most emotional ballad—open-string arpeggios, simple yet beautiful.

Why it works:Simple but moving—shows musical feel over flash.

Practice points

  • ✓Let the open strings ring
  • ✓Create an airy atmosphere
  • ✓Dynamics matter
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 69 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Sweet Child O' Mine (Intro)

IntermediateGuns N' RosesD

Slash's signature riff with wide arpeggiated leaps in D major.

Why it works:Shows timing and pitch accuracy—everyone recognizes it.

Practice points

  • ✓Keep a steady 16th-note feel
  • ✓Connect notes smoothly
  • ✓Clean string changes
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 122 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Smoke on the Water (Main Riff)

BeginnerDeep PurpleGm

The most famous guitar riff ever—every guitarist plays it.

Why it works:A classic—simple but needs the right feel.

Practice points

  • ✓Use double-stops (fourths) instead of power chords
  • ✓Keep the rhythm tight
  • ✓Clean palm muting
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 112 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Seven Nation Army (Main Riff)

BeginnerThe White StripesEm

One of the most recognizable modern riffs—single-string hook.

Why it works:Simple but infectious—the groove is everything.

Practice points

  • ✓Stick to one string and lock the groove
  • ✓Make slides precise
  • ✓Honor the rests
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 124 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Enter Sandman (Main Riff)

IntermediateMetallicaEm

Metal staple with a classic E minor riff.

Why it works:Shows metal chops and tight palm muting.

Practice points

  • ✓Palm mutes must be tight
  • ✓Open notes should be powerful
  • ✓Keep the rhythm compact
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 123 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Back in Black (Intro)

BeginnerAC/DCE

AC/DC's iconic riff—simple and punchy rock essence.

Why it works:Simple but needs that rock groove.

Practice points

  • ✓Keep a steady groove
  • ✓Clean chord changes
  • ✓Use tasteful muting
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 92 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→

Sunshine of Your Love (Main Riff)

IntermediateCreamD

Clapton's blues-rock staple riff.

Why it works:Shows blues-rock vocabulary.

Practice points

  • ✓The chromatic climb is the hook
  • ✓Keep the groove
  • ✓Aim for a thick tone
  • ✓Suggested tempo: 112 BPM
🎸View TAB on Songsterr→
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Technique Practice

Curated YouTube lessons for core guitar techniques.

Pentatonic Basics

BeginnerScales

Learn the five pentatonic positions—the foundation of improvisation

✓Start with position 1
✓Master each position before moving on
✓Practice with a metronome

Bending Technique

BeginnerTechniques

Bends are the soul of blues and rock—hit the target pitch accurately

✓Use ring finger with middle for support
✓Bend all the way to pitch
✓Add vibrato for more flavor

Vibrato Technique

BeginnerTechniques

Vibrato gives notes life—it’s key to expression

✓Use your wrist to drive the motion
✓Keep intonation steady
✓Keep speed and width even

Hammer-ons & Pull-offs

BeginnerTechniques

The core of legato playing for smoother lines

✓Hammer-on with authority
✓Pull-offs should be clean
✓Keep volume even

Blues Licks 101

BeginnerLicks

Learn 10 classic blues licks to build vocabulary

✓Imitate first, create later
✓Watch the rhythm of each lick
✓Practice in multiple positions

Chord Changes

BeginnerChords

Smooth chord transitions are the base of singing and strumming

✓Find shared fingers
✓Prepare the next chord early
✓Slow practice beats fast practice

Fingerpicking Basics

BeginnerTechniques

Learn a basic fingerpicking pattern—no pick needed

✓P-I-M-A fingering
✓Thumb handles bass strings
✓Keep hand shape stable

Palm Muting

BeginnerTechniques

Palm muting is a rock/metal essential for tight rhythms

✓Rest the palm edge near the bridge
✓Pressure controls the mute
✓Practice with downstrokes

Power Chords

BeginnerChords

The backbone of rock—big sound with just two or three notes

✓Root + fifth
✓Movable on the fretboard
✓Even heavier with palm muting

Blues Scale

IntermediateScales

Add the blue note to the pentatonic for tension and color

✓The b5 is the blue note
✓Pass through it, don’t park on it
✓Sounds great with bends

Sliding Technique

IntermediateTechniques

Slides connect notes smoothly for fluid phrasing

✓Maintain finger pressure
✓Land accurately on the target note
✓Practice both up and down slides

Tapping Basics

IntermediateTechniques

A technique pioneered by Eddie Van Halen using the right hand on the fretboard

✓Tap with the right-hand index
✓Combine with hammer-ons and pull-offs
✓Start slow and clean

Related

Fretboard Memory

Find where these licks live on the neck

Progressions

Match these licks to chord progressions

Gear

Dial in tones and pedals that fit

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