Black Betty

This 1977 hit single by the American Rock Band Ram Jam has an intro that combines a great rhythm pattern with an emphatic lead solo. The rhythm pattern stands up in its own right and uses a combination of 3 different rhythm patterns based around A5, B5, D5 and E5.
It may take a while to master, so the best way is to break it down into its component parts and learn each one separately before trying to piece it altogether. There is a certain amount of string muting that form part of the strumming patterns that give the rhythm its flavour, so it’s definitely worthwhile practicing diligently to ensure these feature accurately and in the right places.
The rhythm guitar (played on a Gibson Les Paul) although over driven, has quite a mellow setting to clearly set it apart and make it distinguishable from the more trebly sound of the lead. This is something to bear in mind if you are playing live in a band, so that the overall sound is not too messy.
As the timing is imperative in order to make this riff sound authentic, it is definitely best practiced along with the record or, alternatively using a click track or metronome. This is the only real hit Ram Jam had, but what a ripper it is.

Click here for more details…

Each Riff Includes Step By Step Videos, Tabs and Backing Tracks

Learn to play this Riff and Jam with our included backing tracks. And all the teaching and Jam session videos can either be viewed online, or downloaded to your PC.

-

Related posts:

1. Back In Black
2. Beat It

Tags: Andy Partridge, BandJammer, Black Betty, Guitar Riffs, Learn Guitar, Ram Jam