5 Famous Country Guitar Riffs Fingerpicking

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Country music and guitar riffs are two things that just go together. From the classic twang of a telecaster to the driving rhythm of a Les Paul, the guitar has always been an essential part of country music. In this article, we will explore five famous country guitar riffs and break down the fingerpicking patterns that make them so memorable.

Riff 1: “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd

One of the most iconic guitar riffs in rock and country music is the opening riff to “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. This riff is played on a telecaster and uses a simple fingerpicking pattern that is easy to learn.

Fingerpicking Pattern:

  • Use your thumb to play the low E string on beats 1 and 3.
  • Use your index finger to play the G string on beat 2.
  • Use your middle finger to play the B string on beat 4.

Riff 2: “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band

Another classic country guitar riff is the fast-paced fingerpicking pattern in “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band. This riff is played on a fiddle, but it can be adapted to the guitar with a few modifications.

Fingerpicking Pattern:

  • Use your thumb to play the low E string on beats 1 and 3.
  • Use your index finger to play the A string on beat 2.
  • Use your middle finger to play the D string on beat 4.
  • Repeat the pattern, but alternate between the A and D strings on beats 2 and 4.

Riff 3: “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks

The opening riff to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks is a simple, yet effective fingerpicking pattern that uses a combination of open chords and hammer-ons. This riff is played on an acoustic guitar and is a great way to warm up before a performance.

Fingerpicking Pattern:

  • Play an open G chord on beats 1 and 3.
  • On beat 2, hammer-on from the open G string to the 3rd fret.
  • On beat 4, hammer-on from the open B string to the 2nd fret.
  • Repeat the pattern, but alternate between the G and D strings on beats 2 and 4.

Riff 4: “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver

The opening riff to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver is a classic country guitar riff that uses a simple fingerpicking pattern. This riff is played on an acoustic guitar and is a great way to practice your fingerpicking technique.

Fingerpicking Pattern:

  • Play an open G chord on beats 1 and 3.
  • On beat 2, hammer-on from the open G string to the 3rd fret.
  • On beat 4, hammer-on from the open B string to the 2nd fret.
  • Repeat the pattern, but alternate between the G and D strings on beats 2 and 4.

Riff 5: “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash

The opening riff to “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash is a driving, rhythmic fingerpicking pattern that uses a combination of open chords and muted strings. This riff is played on an acoustic guitar and is a great way to add some energy to your playing.

Fingerpicking Pattern:

  • Play an open G chord on beats 1 and 3, but mute the strings on beat 3.
  • On beat 2, play the open G string.
  • On beat 4, play the open D string.
  • Repeat the pattern, but alternate between the G and D strings on beats 2 and 4.

Looking to explore more about country guitar playing? Check out our articles on famous slide guitar riffs, country guitar strumming, essential fingerpicking exercises for country guitar, 10 iconic electric guitar solos in country music, and country guitar fuzz pedals for more inspiration and tips to enhance your skills!

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored five famous country guitar riffs and broken down the fingerpicking patterns that make them so memorable. From the classic twang of a telecaster to the driving rhythm of a Les Paul, the guitar has always been an essential part of country music. By learning these riffs and practicing your fingerpicking technique, you can add some classic country flair to your playing and pay homage to the legends of country music.

About the author

Hi there! I’m Jack Little – an avid country music fan with tons of live country performances in the past. I used to play banjo in a country band with my best friend John Peters, who’s a true country harmonica master. Those were great years and I’m still mastering new banjo playing techniques, writing my own country songs and lyrics, and collecting banjos!

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