Anyone got tabs for Smoke on the Water?

Instruments Guitar and Bass
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Introduction

If you’re looking to nail the iconic riff of Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple, you’re not alone! This classic rock anthem has been a favorite for guitarists for decades. In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of playing this song with some easy tabs and tips for getting that classic sound.

The Main Riff

Here’s the main riff that you’ll want to master first. It’s simple and sounds great!

|-------------------|-------------------|
|-------------------|-------------------|
|-------3--5-5-5---|-------3--6-6-6---|
|-----5------------|-----5-------------|
|--5---------------|--5----------------|
|-------------------|-------------------|

Breakdown of the Tabs

  • Fretting: You’ll primarily use the 3rd, 5th, and 6th frets, which makes this approachable for beginners.
  • Timing: Listen to the original track to get a feel for the timing. It’s all about hitting those notes with confidence!
  • Fingering: Use your index finger for the 3rd fret and your ring finger for the 5th and 6th frets for a smoother transition.

Tips for Playing

  1. Practice Slowly: Start at a slow tempo to ensure you get the notes right before speeding up.
  2. Use a Metronome: This will help you maintain rhythm as you practice.
  3. Listen and Play Along: Once you feel comfortable, play along with the original track to build your timing.
  4. Experiment with Tone: Adjust your guitar’s tone settings until you find a sound that resembles the classic Deep Purple vibe.

Conclusion

With a bit of practice, you’ll be playing Smoke on the Water in no time. Feel free to share your progress or any modifications to the tabs you come up with! Happy playing and keep rocking!

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Hey everyone! If you’re looking for beginner-friendly tabs for ‘Smoke on the Water’, check out Ultimate Guitar or Songsterr. They’ve got a ton of options with user ratings. Perfect for beginners!

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Great suggestion! I also found JustinGuitar has some helpful video tutorials that break down the song nicely for beginners.

4

Speaking of resources, does anyone have specific tabs they recommend? I’ve tried a few but they didn’t match what I was hearing.

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I hear you! Sometimes tabs can be hit or miss. I suggest checking YouTube for tutorials that match the tabs to the actual song. It really helps.

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I love the main riff! It’s so iconic! Have you guys tried learning it by ear? It’s a fun challenge and can really enhance your skills!

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That sounds challenging but rewarding! I might give it a shot after I feel more comfortable with the tabs.

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For those using tabs, make sure to check if they are for the right tuning and version. That can save you so much frustration.

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Absolutely! I made that mistake when I first started, and it was a headache trying to figure it out!

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A good approach is to slow down the song using apps like Transcribe! or even YouTube’s playback settings. It really helps in learning those tricky parts.

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That’s a clever tip! I usually just keep rewinding, but having an app could save time.

6 Likes
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Learning ‘Smoke on the Water’ is a classic step for beginners. Just remember, practice makes perfect! Don’t rush it.

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Ok, but what if I accidentally play the intro wrong every time? Is there a support group for that?

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Haha! Just know you’re not alone. We all mess up! Keep pushing through, and it will click eventually.

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Seriously though, taking breaks when it gets frustrating can help. Come back with fresh ears and eyes – you’ll be amazed at what clicks.

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Hey everyone! If you’re looking for tabs, I’d suggest starting with the basic riff. Once you’re comfortable, you can explore advanced playing techniques like harmonics and slides to add character to your performance.

5 Likes
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I love the idea of incorporating harmonics! What about variations for the solo section? Anyone experimented with that?

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Absolutely, using techniques like palm muting can give the solo a more dynamic feel. The transition from the main riff to the solo can also be enhanced using a few added pull-offs.

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What specific pull-offs do you recommend? I’m curious about how to make it sound smoother.

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Great question! I usually incorporate a series of quick pull-offs between the notes on the G and D strings during the solo. It creates a fluid sound that really stands out!

4 Likes