Awesome Rhythm Guitar Riff in E: Power Chords, Sixths & Sevenths

Here’s a rhythm riff that’ll make you sound like you know what you’re doing. We’re working in E, mixing power chords, major 6ths, and flat 7ths. Simple idea, big sound.

An E power chord is just two notes: E and B. That’s the 1st and the 5th. No third in between. Clean and strong, boys and girls. Now we’re going to add color to it. Add a major 6th. Add a flat 7th. That’s what makes this riff jump.

Mix Your Chord Colors

Hit the 6th and 5th strings twice to lock in your power chord. E power chord. Now throw in a minor 3rd and a major 3rd. Listen to the tension and release. That’s what makes people lean in and listen.

A flat 7th adds this groovy, bluesy flavor. B is your 5th. C# is your major 6th. String those together with your power chord and watch the magic happen. You’re not building one chord. You’re building texture.

Then combine everything with an E drone. Let that drone sit underneath. Move to A and do the same thing. Different starting point, same idea. Your hand moves, but the concept stays put.

The whole thing comes down to this: one riff a day is a good day. Don’t try to learn five things at once. Lock this in. Play it till your fingers know it without thinking. Then move on.

Want more rhythm ideas? Head over to our guitar riffs pillar page. And check out our posts on chordal riffs with inverted thirds and power chord intros to take your rhythm game further.