Author Topic: Riff Suggestions for an 11 year old beginner (Read 7780 times)

Kilby · « **on:** February 07, 2006, 11:22:22 PM »

OK

My 11 year old son has decided that he wants to play guitar. As he suffers from pretty severy dyslexia and has all the coordination problems associated with dyslexia I reckon learning to play a little can only help him

His first riff (on Saturday) was wait Smoke on the Water (surprise), OK so it was one finger and no double stops but it's his first riff none the less.

The next time I get home it will be time for another riff or two (plus using two fingers for playing the current one).

Any suggestions for a few easy riffs to build up his confidence as I don't want to impose my own musical perferences of blues and psych are not really the best choice for an 11 year old.

Thanks

Rob...

sambo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 07, 2006, 11:29:35 PM »

seven nation army by the white stripes- thats a really popular beginners riff.....

indysmith · « **Reply #2 on:** February 07, 2006, 11:35:58 PM »

enter sandman by metallica?
come as you are by nirvana?
Teach the kid a powerchord and he can instantly play all the green day and offspring and whatever else 11 year olds are into?
oo and there's always wild thing!

Muttley · « **Reply #3 on:** February 07, 2006, 11:39:51 PM »

Nirvana - Come as you are?
Metallica - Enter Sandman?

Those can both be simplified and played with one finger to a certain degree.

Oh, and my cousin is pretty severely dyslexic and when he started playing guitar as a youngster he took to it like a duck to water. :)

Muttley

Muttley · « **Reply #4 on:** February 07, 2006, 11:41:57 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

enter sandman by metallica?
come as you are by nirvana?
Teach the kid a powerchord and he can instantly play all the green day and offspring and whatever else 11 year olds are into?
oo and there's always wild thing!

Doh! How did you sneak in like that! ;) :P

Muttley

Kilby · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2006, 01:41:05 AM »

7 Nation army I thought was in a open tuning I had forgotten that he likes the song (hmmm a workmate of mine played on that album coincidence I wonder ?)

Wild thing I had forgotten about :) (the first song I ever learnt)

Come as You Are, is another possibility

His taste seems to run to Hendrix, Floyd and T Rex as opposed to Green Day & Offspring still as long as it dosn't slump as low as April Lavine.

Once he gets his fingers around some chords I suppose TRex will be pretty viable for him.

Still as long as he avoids the DJ shite that my daughter seems to be getting into (I blame the saxophone my wife insisted upon putting her off music)

Thanks for the suggestions

Rob...

Searcher · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2006, 03:02:56 AM »

Sunshine of Your Love, Cream

Peter Gunn Theme, by Henry Mancini

Satisfaction, Rolling Stones

Roadhouse Blues, The Doors

You Really Got Me, The Kinks

Black Night, Deep Purple

sambo · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:19:17 AM »

what about 20th century boy if he likes t rex?

Elliot · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2006, 09:49:56 AM »

Ziggy Stardust - easy peasy and sounds flash

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2006, 10:37:10 AM »

Tune it to drop D, dial in the distortion and learn him 'Fire, Water, Burn' and 'Song 2'. It doesn't get much easier than that and it's alot of fun.

Next, learn him some open chords and do some Creedence and AC/DC stuff.

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2006, 11:44:56 AM »

Link Wray - "Rumble", it's ace. Three chords (one arpegiated) and a bit of tremolo picking and bang, you're there.

Also, "Teenage Kicks" by the Undertones is simple but good.

Kilby · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2006, 05:38:28 PM »

the 20th century boy tab was grabbed this morning just after I mentioned T-Rex
S
Satistaction I had completely forgotten aboput (how the hell could I manage that !)

Drop D is a good option as I left my Wolfgang with him and it has a d-tuna plus he loves Song 2 I guess I had better finish building my own RAT style pedal to complete the Song 2 vibe ;) (Using the original RAT op amp)

Thanks,

Rob...

indysmith · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:02:15 PM »

i think that you shouldn't teach the kid to play with one finger - because then when you tell them they need to start using other fingers they'll be screwed. Whatever is hardest to do at the begginning is usually for the best in the long run, so i'd get them playing stuff with the proper fingering if i were you; no matter how hard it may seem... the problems with keeping motivation there

_tom_ · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2006, 07:24:20 PM »

Maybe try to teach him the chords for a basic song that he can learn and play? 20th century boy would be ideal as its not too hard and very easy to remember!

Gochaz · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2006, 08:50:51 PM »

You can't go wrong with All Day and All Of The Night