13 Must-Know Riffs with Droning Strings

👇 Links to all tutorials I reference are available below!
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
• How to play "Sweet Car...
All Apologies by Nirvana
• 🎸 All Apologies • Intr...
1979 by Smashing Pumpkins
• 1979 • Smashing Pumpki...
Moonshadow by Cat Stevens
• Moonshadow by Cat Stev...
Copperhead Road by Steve Earle
• 🎸 Copperhead Road • St...
Welcome to Paradise by Green Day (in the style of Tyler Childers)
• "Welcome to Paradise" ...
She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes
• She Talks to Angels • ...
Malaguena (traditional Spanish fingerstyle)
• First Steps with "Mala...
Gone Till November by Wyclef Jean
• 🎸 Gone Till November •...
Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam
• Yellow Ledbetter by Pe...
Angel Flight by Rodney Foster
• Angel Flight • Radney ...
Blackbird by The Beatles
• 🎸 Blackbird • Guitar l...
Two Finger Chords in the Key of C
• 2-finger chords in key...
Fingerpicking in the Style of "Goodtime Charlie's Got the Blues" by Danny O'Keefe
• Adding Melodic Licks &...
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In today's video I'd like to share a collection of 13 songs I’ve taught previously - all of which utilize DRONING STRINGS as part of the main riff. This isn't something you'll find in all songs - but when used well, it can really elevate a riff to a whole new level.
By "droning strings" I'm simply referring to one string, usually open (un-fretted), which is played constantly. While this is happening, a melodic riff is played on other strings. When the droning string is combined with a melodic riff, it creates a sound that is bigger & more full - while also adding some harmonious layering to things. Over some notes this droning string may create tension, but over other notes it may create a sense of satisfying resolution.
Here's some timestamps for each song I discuss - and links to each of my full lessons (teaching all these) can be found up above, or by searching at songnotes.net. Thanks and enjoy!
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:51 Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
- 1:51 All Apologies by Nirvana
- 2:35 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins
- 3:37 Moonshadow by Cat Stevens
- 4:02 Copperhead Road by Steve Earle
- 4:52 Welcome to Paradise by Green Day (in the style of Tyler Childers)
- 5:38 She Talks to Angels by The Black Crowes
- 6:54 Malaguena (traditional Spanish fingerstyle)
- 8:13 Gone Till November by Wyclef Jean
- 9:18 Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam
- 10:37 Angel Flight by Rodney Foster
- 11:26 Blackbird by The Beatles
- 12:20 Two Finger Chords in the Key of C
- 13:12 Goodtime Charlie's Got the Blues by Danny O'Keefe
- 14:21 Farewell & Final Thoughts

[@Fergal57]

Really enjoyed this summary. Will go back and look again at some of the songs that I've skipped over.

[@scottsnouffer7706]

Hi David I’m so glad I’m a member, great guitarist & teacher, been following you for years. Anyway you could teach Joni’s a case of you my daughter’s favorite song. Thanks !

[@danbaron5291]

Is that a mini gs

[@WahrheitMachtFrei.]

You really should credit Angel Flight to its writer (and original performer): the inestimable Darden Smith.

[@michaelquigley9619]

Nice video…but your guitar audio sounds terribly muddled. Vocal audio is fine.