Play Like Stone Temple Pilots - Learn This Amazing Triad Riff Inspired by "Plush" (For Beginners)

Play Like Stone Temple Pilots - Learn This Amazing Triad Riff Inspired by "Plush" (For Beginners)

Are you ready to dive into the gritty, psychedelic world of Stone Temple Pilots? In this blog post, we'll break down a triad-based riff inspired by their hit song "Plush." This beginner-friendly guide will help you understand and master this riff, making your guitar journey both fun and educational. Let’s get started!

Understanding Triads

Triads are three-note chords that form the backbone of many rock riffs. They are simple yet powerful tools that can add a lot of texture and movement to your playing. In this riff, we'll focus on triads played on the top three strings of the guitar.

The Key to "Plush"

To capture the essence of the Stone Temple Pilots' sound, we need to understand the use of triads and chord voicing movements. This riff is based around a series of triads, which interlink to create a unique, stylistic progression.

Breaking Down the Riff

As shown in the image, the riff starts with an open G and B string while holding the third fret on the top E string.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. First Triad: Open G and B strings, hold the third fret on the top E string. Play two down strums.
2. Second Triad: First fret on the B string, keep the top E string at the third fret, strum once.
3. Third Triad: Shape resembles a D7 chord. Play the third fret on the G string, second fret on the B string, and third fret on the top E string.
4. Fourth Triad: Second fret on the G string, first fret on the B string, and third fret on the top E string.

Practicing the Riff

When practicing this riff, remember to keep your third finger fixed on the third fret of the top E string throughout all the triads. This stability is crucial for maintaining the riff’s fluidity. Control your picking hand to ensure you only strike the top three strings, and avoid muting any strings to allow each note to ring clearly.

Tips for Mastering Triads

• Consistency: Practice the riff slowly at first, focusing on clean transitions between triads.
• Control: Ensure every note rings out clearly by managing your finger pressure and picking technique.
• Interactive Learning: Use the Gibson app’s interactive lessons to practice this riff. The app’s loop functionality and custom reduced-speed settings will help you master each triad transition smoothly.

Why Triads Matter

Understanding and mastering triads is essential as they form the foundation of many rock and grunge riffs. This will not only help you play songs like "Plush" but also enhance your overall guitar-playing skills.

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• Interactive lessons for hands-on learning.
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• Play-as-you-go feature for immediate feedback.
• Competitive leagues to challenge yourself and track your progress.

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