Song Title: Keep Rolling On
Genre: Vintage Rock
Tempo: 110
Key: A#
Rock Techniques: Root 5 & 6 power chords, Rhythm Guitar muting and lead improvisation (optional)
'Keep Rolling On' is a vintage rock track in the style of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Creedence Clearwater Revival. This song mixes root 5 and root 6 power chords and will test your technique more than the previous track. The main riff is different to the examples on the previous page to make the song more interesting. The text below describes how to improvise a basic guitar solo over this track, which is optional.
Jam Track interactive TAB
This course now includes interactive TAB which is synced to video. Jam along with Andy and see TAB and fretboard visualisations brought to life in real time!
Adjust the settings on the interactive TAB above to loop sections, slow down the tempo and add fretboard visualisations!
Jam Track Walkthrough
Main Riff (Bars 3-18) This main riff is based on three power chords. The first (A#5) is a root 6, the others (C# and D#) are root 5. Again, I’ve added a mute in the riff to give you time to change chords, which is to the same rhythm as the previous track. The riff on the top line is written 4 times. Then, the repeat marks show to play the entire riff again another 4 times. The bass line and drums on the audio track change to signify you are on the 2nd repetition.
End (Bar 19) Simply strum the A# power chord once to finish the song. There is a drum fill in the audio track to signal that this ending is coming.
Improvise a Guitar SOLO! (Optional) ‘Improvising’ is the act of playing a lead guitar part over a track which is somewhat spontaneous and made up in the moment. This is scary when first starting out, but an essential skill to begin learning as an improving guitarist. The key of this song is A#. Because it is a rock song, the A# minor pentatonic scale should be used to improvise over this. Begin by walking up and down the scale, then add pauses. Once you can play the rhythm part (from the TAB) you want to be able to walk up and down this A# Minor Pentatonic scale for the entire track. This scale is shown on the website, you can search for it using the search box on the site. The initial goal is to get over the fear of improvising, and for you to understand what it is.
For a complete guide on getting started with lead guitar playing, check out my Rock Lead Guitar Course here.
Recommended song tutorials
Rock songs are not the only songs to use power chords. The original versions of I’m Yours by Jason Mraz and Rolling In The Deep by Adele use power chords on acoustic guitar, both of which have tutorials at those links.
Classic power chord based riffs to have a go at include;
All of these have video tutorials on my website and are well worth learning. Songs in the Rock genre tend to combine power chords with open chords and single note playing techniques, such as Minor Pentatonic scale based riffs or picking single notes out of chords (arpeggios). It can be the combination of these things or the quick changes that make them difficult. Taking the time to master these techniques separately is the key to success
If you have a real passion for this style of Rock Rhythm playing, then my Rock Rhythm course would be a great choice after completing this course.
Learn more about my Rock Rhythm course here
