↓Skip to main content
  1. Open G Guitar Videos/

Rolling Stones Open G — Keith Richards Riffs

·3 mins
Keith Richards Rolling Stones Riffs Rhythm Guitar Rock Open G
Table of Contents

Source: opengtuning.co.uk

What This Video Covers #

Keith Richards is the reason Open G tuning is on most rock guitarists’ radar. He has used it as his primary tuning since around 1968 — famously stripping the 6th string off his Telecaster entirely so it doesn’t interfere with his five-string approach. This video breaks down the riffs and rhythm techniques that define that sound.

The Five-String Approach #

One of the first things the video addresses is the physical setup: Keith removes string 6 (low D) from his guitar when playing in Open G. This removes the bass note and forces the rhythm into a tighter mid-range voice — punchy, chimey, and immediately recognisable. You don’t have to do this, but understanding why he does it changes how you hear the parts.

The Signature Riff Vocabulary #

The lesson works through several of the core riff patterns Keith uses repeatedly across songs:

  • The partial barre with a pull-off — fret a barre then lift one or two fingers for a rhythmic percussive effect
  • The open-string hammer-on — attacking the open strings and hammering onto the first or second fret to add forward momentum
  • The chord-plus-riff approach — holding a partial barre shape with the lower fingers while the index finger walks up and down for melodic fills

Song Examples #

Specific riff patterns are demonstrated and traced back to Stones recordings including Honky Tonk Women, Start Me Up, and Brown Sugar. Even if you don’t plan to learn the full songs, hearing these patterns in context shows how much mileage you can get from a small number of moves.

Why Open G Makes These Riffs Possible #

The video explains the intervallic logic clearly: Open G spaces the strings so that the major third and perfect fifth fall naturally under the index finger barre. The open strings act as constant drone notes — you can move a partial shape around while one or two open strings keep ringing, creating the layered, rhythmic push that standard tuning can’t easily replicate.

Who This Is For #

Players who come to Open G via the Rolling Stones, or anyone who wants to understand the rhythm-guitar logic behind rock’s most recognisable riff style. You should be comfortable with basic open-position chords before diving in, but you don’t need advanced technique.

Key Takeaways #

  • Keith’s five-string setup emphasises mid-range voicings — try it by simply avoiding string 6
  • The pull-off and hammer-on moves are what give these riffs their rhythmic snap
  • A small number of shapes, used creatively, produced a catalogue of classic songs