Garage rock guitar
Garage rock sounds like a band rehearsing in a garage: three chords, a loud dirty tone and lots of energy. Below are the chords, scale, techniques, a riff and a solo you can hear and slow down.
1960s120–170 BPME–D–Afuzz
What is garage rock
Garage rock appeared in the US in the mid-1960s: teenagers formed bands, played in garages and recorded however they could. There was little technique but plenty of energy. In the 2000s the style came back with bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes.
A garage guitarist relies on simple open chords and rhythm. What matters is not complexity but push: hits slightly ahead of the beat, loud fuzz and a few-note solo with bends, played with attitude.
Signature chords
E, D, A (I, ♭VII, IV) are three open chords every beginner knows. The move from E down a whole step to D sounds cheeky and instantly garage. Strum them hard with the whole hand.
Scale for soloing
E minor pentatonic suits the solos, even over major chords: G over E sounds dirty and bluesy, just right for the style. The solo on this page is played in the 12th position.
Techniques
Open chords
The whole riff is built on three open chords. Ringing open strings with distortion give that thick garage sound. Tap E to hear the chord.
The push
The hits do not fall evenly on the beats but in a 3+3+2 pattern: the second and third arrive earlier than the ear expects. That push is what brings simple chords to life. Listen to the riff below.
Fuzz
The garage sound is fuzz: rough, ripping distortion. The examples here are clean; on your own amp switch on fuzz or a heavy overdrive and do not be afraid of the dirt.
Garage rock riff
One chord per bar, hits in a 3+3+2 pattern, then even downstrokes. The bass drives in eighths and leads into the next chord with two notes. Play loud and confident.
The examples use a clean tone. On records the guitar in this genre is usually distorted - add drive on your own amp or pedal.
Garage rock solo
Short, sharp phrases in the 12th position: a bend from D to E, a run down the pentatonic, B and E double stops in a row and a long E with vibrato. In garage rock a solo wins on attitude, not speed.
Bass part
The bass hits the same 3+3+2 pushes as the guitar and leads into the next chord with two notes at the end of the bar, often in half steps. Play with a pick, loud and a bit dirty: in garage rock the bass is as rough as the guitar.
The guitar plays the genre’s chords quietly underneath: switch it off with the "Guitar" button to hear the bass alone. Bass guitar exercises in the trainer →
The riff opens as a draft: change notes, tempo and tracks however you like.
Open in RiffonicWhat to listen to
Listen to these songs and pay attention to what is described next to each one.
- The Kingsmen - “Louie Louie”. Three chords in a loop and a dirty recording: the song every 60s garage band played.
- The Stooges - “I Wanna Be Your Dog”. A simple three-chord riff, loud fuzz and a rhythm that pounds through the whole song.
- The White Stripes - “Seven Nation Army”. A one-string riff through an effect that drops it an octave, with almost no bass: 2000s garage rock.
Every riff and solo on this page is an original exercise in the style of the genre, not the notes of someone else’s song.
FAQ
What do I need to play garage rock?
Three open chords, a confident strum and distortion. No advanced technique required: the style runs on energy, volume and simple riffs.
How is garage rock different from punk?
Garage rock came earlier, in the 60s, and is closer to rock and roll and blues. 70s punk is faster, more direct and mostly played with power chords.
What distortion does garage rock need?
Fuzz is best: rough, with a ragged attack. Any overdrive turned up high will do too. What matters is a loud, lively sound.