The Beatles: Lead Riff Lesson

The Beatles:
Back In The USSR Lead Riff Lesson

So let’s get started with this essential Technique, a Lead Riff and a Jam Session with the Band!

As you will see below we’ve broken this down into a number of resources to take you carefully step by step through this Lead Riff. First off we’ll be learning and practicing the technique of Pull-offs to get your fingers warmed up and ready.

I’ll then show you the Riff, and also teach it in detail to you. Then once you’ve got it nailed, you can play along with the band – and have some fun!

And as an additional resource I’ve also included the song structure, chord diagrams and tab for all the riffs and solo – so you can learn the whole song. With each of these teaching sessions I’ll be adding new and different techniques and resources to help to really get a feel for what BandJammer is all about, and to really progress your guitar playing.

Have fun! Regards, Andy

PS: Please leave me a comment at the bottom of this page to let me know what you think of this session.




Video1. Lead Guitar Techniques; Hammer-Ons

Video 2. Back In The USSR Lead Riff Lesson

Video 3. The Band Playing The Full Song

Resource Downloads
You can download the following pdf documents to help you with learning this Riff.

song_structure

chord_diagrams

solo_tabs


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Leave A Reply (1,092 comments So Far)


  1. mario
    108 days ago

    hoi ik ben mario speel zelf ook gitaar heb er 5 en vind de video kei tof uit gelegt en goe om te volgen heb twee elektroniche gitaren een ibanez en hudson en dan een acoustice en acoustice elektronice en klasieke


  2. John harriman
    110 days ago

    very good, good quality sound.


  3. dusty
    116 days ago

    just open my emails new to you new to the
    guitar and having a ball with this thanks cant wait to try more


  4. John
    127 days ago

    Andy that was awesome. Been away for a while and only catching up with my e-mails. I’m sorry I was away. The lessons would have been worth staying home. Thank You.


  5. Gasry Knight
    179 days ago

    Seen lots of these things but yours is COOL nice and easy to follow will pass on the word.


  6. kyle
    214 days ago

    thanks andy the first lesson was good thanks a lot


  7. pinkjimiphoton
    260 days ago

    hey mate, nice job on the lessons etc….don’t need ‘em myself, but glad to pass the word along…namaste
    pjp


  8. George
    260 days ago

    Hi Andy brilliant i got a long way to go yet.


  9. keith
    260 days ago

    Wow, That Sg of your sounds so sweet with those p90s in.
    Just got myself a guitar and trying to learn so will stick with this for a bit.


  10. peter stockwell
    261 days ago

    Enjoyed my first lesson with you Andy.lookin foward 2 more.thanks heaps.pete..


  11. ARCHIE
    270 days ago

    This is pretty impressive. You explain so clearly and then put it into action. You can actually see it how it is apllied.
    A million thanks.


  12. Ben Otten
    272 days ago

    Hi Andy,

    I like your style of teaching the important items on guitarplaying.

    Ben


  13. Alex Scott
    276 days ago

    Nicely done – good stuff


  14. J Chinkhandwe
    285 days ago

    Andy,

    This is pretty good,I love it.


  15. Dave Kemper
    286 days ago

    Tired of drinking milk, and getting frustrated, thanks for the meat….finally something I can do that sounds sooo cool and learn a technique to boot. Thanks Andy


  16. Peter
    304 days ago

    Now THIS is Fun…..way to go….Thank you.


  17. jb
    310 days ago

    thanx andy…you have just opened a new world for me…jb


  18. chris
    312 days ago

    like the material you send great thank


  19. teck looi
    322 days ago

    Andy, great work. You have given this absolute beginner hope
    Thx


  20. tee
    322 days ago

    thanks


  21. John J
    337 days ago

    Smashed it, I never knew learning could be so easy. played second verse in a matter of minutes. Keep up the good work Andy


  22. jim
    346 days ago

    Andy,

    Out…….standing! This is better than Mike Herberts.


  23. ERROL CARROLL
    358 days ago

    ANDY THANKS FOR THE CHALLENGE I AM VERRY IMPRESSED MY WORRY IS HOW AM I GOEING TO HANDLE LESSON 10 REGARDS ERROL


  24. steve
    377 days ago

    Hi , just to let you know that its easy to understand ,well shot and good tab support.Iyts an encouraging start.


  25. diego
    379 days ago

    think everything in these lessons is perfect, just two suggestions:
    1 would be nice to see you playing rythm guitar part
    2 chord diagrams would be clearer and easier to print with black dots (instead of red ones) on white background.
    thanks


  26. Andy
    381 days ago

    Hi Andy, I’ve enjoyed your lessons very much and like your approach to teaching novices like myself on how to play the guitar, your stage-by-stage and concise lessons are simply unforgettable, I’ll look forward to further lessons from you and I’d like to wish you and your band all the best. Please keep up the great work you do.


  27. Bill Broadbent
    401 days ago

    Hi Andy, just signed on to the first free lesson on your site. Have been wandering around in the musical desert for several months. Very new to guitar so everything seems so fast to me. I will be trying Lesson 1, and I already like being able to save some of the info to my computer, i.e. pdf files. Can play at my speed. Will continue to follow your lessons.
    Thanks, Bill B.


  28. Daron
    421 days ago

    thanks got email today going to get started on it hope to be jammin with you soon


  29. admin
    447 days ago

    Hi Michael, thanks for the comment. Just a coincidence on the name front ;) Andy


  30. Bhuvan Malik
    447 days ago

    The Lesson Given Was awesome…
    Thanx…


  31. Michael Cook
    451 days ago

    Hi Andy,
    I love a band called XTC, they had a dominant member with the same name as you. Are you and he the same Andy Partridge? If so I’m blown away.


  32. Brian
    472 days ago

    Andy,

    I really enjoyed your approch because you explain not only the string but the name of the notes as well.

    Do you have any Travis picking songs or hybrid picking in your arsonal?


  33. Mike
    481 days ago

    Echo that Tim H

    First time visiting your site, your material seems to be put together very nicely.

    Andy, this is well organized. I would like to see the details on the rhythm pattern you use. For playing this song. You have given the chords (thats great). It would be helpful to see the rhythm pattern that you use and a video (like the riff video) showing how to play the rhythm for this song. Thanks!!


  34. john
    482 days ago

    Exellant well thought out and the videos clear to see and easy to follow.I will certainly be back for the next lesson.
    John fron the u.k.


  35. sarah ollerenshaw
    482 days ago

    only just got into it as my laptops been playing up, just done first lesson and of to do the other 3, love it learn some basics, learn a riff, play with the band brilliant idea.


  36. Mike
    484 days ago

    Have played acoustic guitar on and off for a couple of years now.(more off than on though). Now have picked up an electric guitar and using my basic chord knowledge and your videos have been practicing transitions and some solo effects too.
    Thank you


  37. Mick
    484 days ago

    Hi Andy thanks for making a young 54 year old sound like he should, after 45 years of hacking away. I enjoy the choice of riffs & look forward to next ones. My 2 Sons are gobsmacked by their Pop giving it some stick. Cheers & show us all.


  38. FRANK
    486 days ago

    great lesson Andy thanks i want learn more right now !


  39. mozee
    486 days ago

    Great lesson it has been planned out very well .. Good job


  40. Matt
    491 days ago

    Thanks, just had a quick look for now. Will try it out later but shouldnt be too much of a problem


  41. Dennis
    493 days ago

    Hi Andy,
    What can one say!!It very good you have not left any thing out
    what more could one ask for It very good thank you From Mosco


  42. Grant
    493 days ago

    This is a great tool. i am looking forward to the next installment.
    Thanks

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Sad news................"The Father of Loud" Jim Marshall, the founder of Marshall amps, died today aged 88. Slash tweeted "The news of Jim Marshall passing is deeply saddening. R & R will never be the same w/out him. But, his amps will live on FOREVER!"

I say, set up yer stack and rock heaven 'till it shakes.

That man defined the heavy rock guitar sound.

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