Top 5 Drop D Riffs: From Muse to Led Zeppelin
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Are you looking for a new set of riffs? Something heavy that isn’t just another open-string fad? The Drop D tuning has you covered. Providing harsh low-end grunt and opening a new dimension for your playing. Check out these top 5 Drop D riffs.
Top 5 Drop D Riffs: From Muse to Led Zeppelin
Alternate tunings have been enticing audiences for years. Standard tuning is perfectly adequate, but let’s say we want to hear something thicker with more of an edge. Typically, Drop D riffs feature in genres such as heavy rock, punk and grunge. Although, some of the most clean-cut timeless classics use this tuning; Dear Prudence and Never Going Back Again are prime examples.
So, what is the Drop D tuning? Instead of tuning a guitar to E,A,D,G,B,E you’d tune the low E string to a lower octave D. Hence, Drop D, as we have dropped the E to a D. We can do this by playing our existing open D string, and lowering the pitch of the low E until they sound the same. Alternatively, grab your preferred guitar tuner.
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Killing in the Name – Rage Against The Machine
Kicking us off in our hunt for the top 5 Drop D riffs is this monster by Rage Against The Machine. Tom Morello‘s Telecaster sounds exquisite, and so can you.
I like this Drop D riff as it repeats throughout the song. You really get your money’s worth! Initially, this riff starts off by playing open 6th D and 5th A strings together, optionally adding the extra 4th D string. Combined, these notes create the perfect start to one of the most controversial rock songs ever recorded.
Followed by a simple riff spanning just 4 frets. Give it a few attempts and you’ll be headbanging in no time.
Killing in the Name: Top 5 Drop D Riffs
Why not check out this signature Tom Morello Stratocaster:
Psycho – Muse
Secondly, a riff that will capture your inner metal head. This is arguably the most beginner-friendly Drop D riff out there. Combining open notes with the 3rd and 5th frets.
On this occasion, we have an intro riff, that varies as it goes on. Here we’re going to look at the first few bars and how it changes to achieve an almighty density.
The riff itself is played initially on just the 6th D string. Matthew Bellamy then plays the same riff, now adding the 5th A and 4th D strings into the mix. Along with some half-step bends, you get this Drop D masterpiece.
Psycho: Top 5 Drop D Riffs
Bellamy’s signature Cort features a P90 and a Humbucker, working in harmony to promote that Drop D sound:
Moby Dick – Led Zeppelin
Although a senior citizen, Moby Dick will potentially stand as a firm favourite amongst guitarists.
With its simplistic approach accompanied by a groovy beat, we have all the ingredients for a top 5 Drop D riff.
Less chat with this one, we know the drill by now.
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Why not add this Fuzz pedal to your pedal board? A faithful replica of a 1966 tone bender, used by Jimmy Page and many others:
Everlong – Foo Fighters: Top 5 Drop D Riffs
You can’t have a list of top 5 Drop D tunings without featuring the Foo Fighters, right? The quintessential Drop D riff?
Everlong has some melancholic Drop D chord shapes in it. With a blend of 5ths and minor 9th chords, this is less of a riff and more of a musical idea.
From their second album, this riff forms the foundation for one of the most recognizable chord patterns in rock history. Played on his 1978 Gibson RD Standard, Dave Grohl gifted us with this riff.
Top 5 Drop D Riffs: Everlong
On a Plain – Nirvana
Finally, we’ve saved peak grunge for our last pick for the top 5 Drop D riffs.
Controversially, Kurt Cobain‘s approach was very laid back and effortless. Despite this, On a Plain has some very powerful Drop D riffs within.
A suitable mix of slides and chords dress this riff beautifully. Helping take you on a melodic journey. If you’re wanting to learn some entry-level Nirvana that isn’t Smells Like Teen Spirt, get this one learnt!
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Gone but never forgotten, you can still grab yourself a Kurt Cobain signature Jaguar. Faithful to the real thing, this one is a left-handed guitar:
Top 5 Drop D Riffs
Well, there we have it. Our pick of some of the most playable and well-known Drop D riffs. Hopefully, you found the TABs useful for your playing experience, and the gear that’ll help you get the sound that you’re after. What are your go-to Drop D riffs?
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4 responses to “Top 5 Drop D Riffs: From Muse to Led Zeppelin”
Shine by Collective Soul!
A great Indie 90s tune!
Some nerve including Muse on this list and choosing Psycho over New Born or Stockholm Syndrome! I’m telling the authorities
Two great suggestions! I doubt most beginners would get to grips with ‘Stockholm Syndrome’. A fantastic riff nonetheless.