Newbie stuff....How can I figure out what key and chords I can play over a guitar riff?

[deastman]

Since you’re just learning right now, you might find it easier to come up with the chord progression first and then develop the riff over that.

[argo30]

Don’t be afraid to use cliches or “stock” chord changes or power chords, when necessary. In this case, you have a riff that has something special and a bit unusual (the C#), further arrangement should not necessarily overshadow that with other weirder stuff. Arranging is also about contrast. If you throw three “weird” things at once to the listener, it is not special anymore. Use one weird thing in a more conventional arrangement and it sticks out and the listener will remember it.

Great point on not having too many "special" things in something. You're totally right. It takes away from those one or two special things you throw in there. Thanks!

[argo30]

Yep, power chords would make it a lot simpler.

Thanks for the reply. I try to stay away from power chords. Not sure why I just like having things with a more open sound. Thanks!

Power chords only appear closed sounded if you have a basic playing style. It doesnt take much to make a power chord ring. A little vibrato across the chord does wonders and of course make sure none of the strings are muted or slighted dulled by poor left hand technique. The right hand plays a part too, if you use a pick and let the pick fingers touch the strings ala artifical harmonics, which can be totally dynamic

They also don't need to be a 3 note chug on the low string. It's possible to play power chords across the top strings if you figure out the voicings (and maybe dampen a string here and there).

Hey thanks for the reply. NOT playing "power" chords on the low end is something I'm always aware of for sure and IMO they sound more interesting when they are played on the higher strings but you're right, it's easier to just default to the "chug" chords on the low end. Appreciate yours and all the responses!

[argo30]

Since you’re just learning right now, you might find it easier to come up with the chord progression first and then develop the riff over that.

Hey thanks for your response. Appreciated. I feel like I've been learning forever . In and out of music my whole life. I never seem to really enjoy or gravitate to chord progressions. I like to noodle and come up with what I think are interesting riffs vs. standard chord progressions. I don't know just something pulls me away from those. Thank you!

[jancivil]

there is no law mandating you use chord progressions or chords at all

[BertKoor]

Yeah, I was going to say: just maybe add a bass playing any melody to your liking, and be done with it. The riff is close enough to a progression. You can leave some things to the imagination of your audience.

[jancivil]

seemed like argo30 was feeling the peer pressure to become chord-centric. Music that is is possibly in the minority of musics in this world.

A <chord progression>, by the word ‘progression’ connotes motion, and historically this meant moving to a goal. OTOH, rock or funk, or [...] may be happy to sit there in place (or orbit ONE) and the interest occurs elsewhere. If there is forward momentum or propulsion it’s a line or the rhythm.

[jancivil]

OK, I bothered to hear the soundcloud post. There is no great call for more than the sort of A7 which is already there, for this passage. More is not always more. Put a bass line under it by ear. You might go to D (IV) real quick and back; and you can achieve that via the bass alone.

This received notion of chords as if a necessity can lead you into the tall grass and get you hacking away where you didn’t even have to go in there. It sounds good unadorned, you don’t need the bass to do a whole lot.