Drop D riff — syncopation in D
This riff over the D grid (D5d, G5d, E5d) plays with slightly off-beat hits rather than strictly even eighth notes: it's the rhythm, more than the number of chords, that gives the riff its groove.
Tips
Count out loud while playing very slowly to really feel where the offbeats land, before bringing it up to the final tempo.
Chord progression — D
Bar 1
D5d
Bar 2
G5d
Bar 3
D5d
Bar 4
E5d
Bar 5
G5d
Bar 6
D5d
Bar 7
E5d
Bar 8
D5d
Chords
Related sheets
- Rock in E minor (variant) — syncopated rhythm (Level 4)
- Rock in D minor (variant) — syncopated rhythm (Level 4)
- call and response power riff — B (Level 4)