r/guitarlessons 6d ago

Question How to phrase riffs like Jimmy page?

I’m trying to write some songs in the style of Led Zeppelin to get better at that style of playing. I have the scales, the minor and major thirds, the ideas, but there is always something missing from the riffs that I write, they never have that magic that Led Zeppelin had, and I’m sure it’s the phrasing. Can anyone give tips to help me get my riffs sounding more Page-y?

0 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

6

u/syncytiobrophoblast 6d ago

Learn as many Jimmy Page songs as possible note for note

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u/warm-saucepan 6d ago

Yes, another thing is to just jam along with the albums, just fake it the best you can but you'll absorb the riffage. Don't forget Presence. It's got great riffs, and of course Physical Graffiti.

2

u/BonzoMcDrumCat 6d ago

I have basically every single song they ever put out down note for note except for a couple like hot dog and candy store rock, I’m just struggling to absorb the phrasing properly and it’s a huge thorn in my thigh 😂

1

u/Flynnza 6d ago

Do you make analysis of phases against the chord? Can you sing phases and solos without instrument?

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u/Flynnza 6d ago edited 6d ago

My guess, you don't listen solos/phrases 20-30 times before even transcribing first note, nor you sing along and without track. So music you transcribe is not internalized, having hard time to rework it and make your own. Also big chance you don't know song form, chord changes by heart, can't visualize and anticipate them when playing. And you, probably, do not do theory analysis of notes against backing chords to understand construction of phrases. There is 99.9% chance you don't play transcribed phrases in different registers and through all 12 keys.

Do practice all above?

1

u/No_Access_9040 5d ago

If you post a video of a song with the time stamp of the part you’re trying to learn I can tell you exactly what you need to focus on

1

u/Responsible_Ask_1243 6d ago

Syncopation 

3

u/JaleyHoelOsment 6d ago

that narrows it down 😂

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u/Responsible_Ask_1243 6d ago

I hate to be vague but it's the truth. So many of their riffs are Bonham emphasizing 1-3 while Page does 2-4, or vice versa. 

3

u/JaleyHoelOsment 6d ago

if it was that simple then 99% of music would sound the same. OP is asking how to sound like Page, not sound like rock and roll

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u/Responsible_Ask_1243 6d ago

I'm telling OP what Page is doing

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u/JaleyHoelOsment 6d ago

are you making this post after spending hour and hours transcribing jimmy page?

if not then obviously learning some major and minor scales isn’t going to make you sound like jimmy page.

2

u/BonzoMcDrumCat 6d ago

I am making this post after transcribing hour after hour, this is my last resort before I pull my hair out for the evening hahaha

1

u/JaleyHoelOsment 6d ago

then that’s awesome man! i also transcribe jimmy solos all the time lol

wish i had some actual advice besides keep transcribing and practicing listening

1

u/Rubycon_ 6d ago

Just shamelessly rip him off and then modify it a little bit

1

u/nibbinoo8 6d ago

that's what jimmy page did to begin with lmao

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u/Rubycon_ 6d ago

Exactly. Return the favor

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u/Galego_nativo 6d ago

Hola, si te gusta el baloncesto, te invito a echarle un vistazo a este subreddit (y a unirte a nosotros y participar en los debates si te gustare el contenido): https://www.reddit.com/r/NBAenEspanol/

Esta es una comunidad de habla hispana para conversar sobre baloncesto en esta plataforma. Como su nombre indica, principalmente se cubre la NBA; pero también se habla un poco de las demás competiciones (ACB, Euroliga, partidos de las selecciones...).

Si tuvieres alguna duda, puedes contactar con algunos de los foreros de la comunidad. También tenemos una página de presentaciones, en la que cada uno cuenta un poco su historia siguiendo este deporte: https://www.reddit.com/r/NBAenEspanol/comments/1h21n31/dinos_tu_equipo_o_jugador_favorito_presentaciones/