Background

The pure hypnotic, mind-bending blues that the intro riff of Garaj Baras has is something that no other mainstream or even indie composer was able to replicate. One of the reasons why Junoon became such a huge band was the ability of the guitarist to come up with such great riffs that have the potential to redefine the music industry.

​This intro came at just the right time when rock bands were struggling to leave their mark in the country, and its impact was such that it became the anthem of youthful rebellion. The intro riff is a 12-bar melodic passage that is rhythmically locked but at the same time artistically free. Before we head into this guitar lesson by Salman Ahmad, you need to understand that the intro riff is not a chord progression; it is a single-note melodic line that gets played over an implied harmonic movement.

​What makes this riff so unique is how well the blue note blends in with the whole-step bends on the string. Fret the A string at 5, bend up one full step (to the pitch of fret 7), then go back to fret 5. To complete this entire thing, you roughly need one beat; the bend has to sound smooth and continuous. The return has to come back to the same pitch where you left.

​Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Here is the complete list of chords that you are going to use for this lesson

​Implied harmonic chords (underneath the riff):

  • Dm (D minor) — implied throughout the opening phrase.
  • Am (A minor) — the relative major's minor, creating tension
  • Gm (G minor) — appears in transitional moments.

FAQs – Garaj Baras Intro Riff Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What are some of the common mistakes to avoid when learning the Garaj Baras intro riff?

Ans. Thinking about playing the guitar riff too fast and too soon, stay at 50% for the first two weeks, and then increase your speed.

Using the wrong finger position, use the index finger for the 3rd fret and the middle finger for the 5th fret.

Make sure you are bending with full conviction.

​Q2. Is there a need to use a wah-wah pedal like the one used in the original recording of the riff?

Ans. It would be best not to use the wah-wah pedal during practice sessions. Once you are able to play a clean riff, that’s when you can start experimenting with it.

​Q3. What tuning do I have to use to play this riff on guitar?

Ans. You need to follow standard tuning, and the tempo sits around 110-120 BPM.

1

Garaj Baras Intro Riff

Garaj Baras Intro Riff

1:48 mins

The pure hypnotic, mind-bending blues that the intro riff of Garaj Baras has is something that no other mainstream or even indie composer was able to replicate. One of the reasons why Junoon became such a huge band was the ability of the guitarist to come up with such great riffs that have the potential to redefine the music industry.

​This intro came at just the right time when rock bands were struggling to leave their mark in the country, and its impact was such that it became the anthem of youthful rebellion. The intro riff is a 12-bar melodic passage that is rhythmically locked but at the same time artistically free. Before we head into this guitar lesson by Salman Ahmad, you need to understand that the intro riff is not a chord progression; it is a single-note melodic line that gets played over an implied harmonic movement.

​What makes this riff so unique is how well the blue note blends in with the whole-step bends on the string. Fret the A string at 5, bend up one full step (to the pitch of fret 7), then go back to fret 5. To complete this entire thing, you roughly need one beat; the bend has to sound smooth and continuous. The return has to come back to the same pitch where you left.

​Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Here is the complete list of chords that you are going to use for this lesson

​Implied harmonic chords (underneath the riff):

  • Dm (D minor) — implied throughout the opening phrase.
  • Am (A minor) — the relative major's minor, creating tension
  • Gm (G minor) — appears in transitional moments.

FAQs – Garaj Baras Intro Riff Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What are some of the common mistakes to avoid when learning the Garaj Baras intro riff?

Ans. Thinking about playing the guitar riff too fast and too soon, stay at 50% for the first two weeks, and then increase your speed.

Using the wrong finger position, use the index finger for the 3rd fret and the middle finger for the 5th fret.

Make sure you are bending with full conviction.

​Q2. Is there a need to use a wah-wah pedal like the one used in the original recording of the riff?

Ans. It would be best not to use the wah-wah pedal during practice sessions. Once you are able to play a clean riff, that’s when you can start experimenting with it.

​Q3. What tuning do I have to use to play this riff on guitar?

Ans. You need to follow standard tuning, and the tempo sits around 110-120 BPM.

1

Garaj Baras Intro Riff

Garaj Baras Intro Riff

1:48 mins

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