Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Eloise's guitar journey
  • Keef's greatest hit
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Led Zep's Rain Song
  1. Tutorials
  2. Guitar Lessons & Tutorials

Quick licks: easy #10

News
By Guitar Techniques published 3 January 2012

Santana-inspired lead and Smiths-style indie riffing

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Easy lick one: Santana lead

Easy lick one: Santana lead

This lead example is similar to something the soulful Latino might play on a cool instrumental ballad. Follow the fingerings given as the line is entirely from one scale (Eb major) and it fits nicely within the 7th and 8th fret areas. Dial in some gain for singing sustain and go for it!

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
Easy lick two: Smiths riff

Easy lick two: Smiths riff

Inspired by The Smiths, this tribute to their innovative guitarist Johnny Marr uses open position chords and a quick strumming pattern. Practise changing chords slowly at first, working up to 100bpm. Try a little chorus and a lush clean amp tone to nail this one.

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
Guitar Techniques
Read more
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Human League
Artists Replicate the sonic magic of the Human League’s defining synth-pop anthem
 
 
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 1904 -- Pictured: Musical guest Paul McCartney performs "Days We Left Behind" on Saturday, May 16, 2026 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Paul McCartney shows you how to play the mystery guitar chord that kickstarted his new album
 
 
Sadler Vaden takes a slide solo on a Rickenbacker
Artists “It’s a funny thing to imagine but it changes how you play”: Sadler Vaden's approach to slide guitar
 
 
A-Ha
Artists How to re-create one of the most infectious synth riffs of all time
 
 
Latest in Guitar Lessons & Tutorials
Chords
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Confused by guitar tabs and notation? Use this complete guide to reading music for guitar
 
 
Scale
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials "Don't play scales just to get faster. Speed is a happy by-product of playing more accurately": Beginner Guitar Lessons - nailing scales
 
 
Guitar maintenance
Guitars "There isn't one correct answer": 6 things you need you need know about how to clean and condition your guitar fretboard
 
 
Tom Morello
Artists How Tom Morello used his guitar to drill into the off-limits domain of the turntablist
 
 
Close up of a person playing guitar
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials With a massive 89% discount, $99 for a year's worth of Guitar Tricks online lessons is the best way to upgrade your guitar playing this Black Friday
 
 
Close up of a person holding an acoustic guitar bathed sunlight
Guitar Lessons & Tutorials Ignite your inner guitar god for just 27 cents a day with TrueFire’s July 4th sale - save 60% on online lessons
 
 
Latest in News
British songwriting and production team Stock Aitken Waterman, circa 1985. Left to right: Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. (Photo by Tim Roney/Getty Images)
Artists Better music technology hasn’t made life easier for producers than it was in the ‘80s, says Mike Stock
 
 
Andre 3000 7 Piano Sketches
Singers & Songwriters André 3000 has made a short film inspired by his 7 Piano Sketches EP
 
 
Photo of Chuck BERRY and Keith RICHARDS; Chuck Berry and Keith Richards performing on stage at Chuck's 60th Birthday Concert for the filming of "Hail Hail Rock & Roll"
Guitarists “I was just about to stroke it”: Keith Richards explains why Chuck Berry punched him
 
 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 15: Taylor Swift is seen in Greenwich Village on June 15, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Aeon/GC Images)
Artists Taylor Swift appears to confirm that I Knew It, I Knew You was written, recorded and produced in around eight hours
 
 
MILTON, GEORGIA - MARCH 24: Record Producer Tay Keith attends Mike Will Made-It Day Golf Classic at White Columns Country Club on March 24, 2025 in Milton, Georgia
Producers & Engineers "A legend of the game”: Hip-hop producer Tay Keith found dead in his apartment, aged 29
 
 
Ricky Martin during Ricky Martin in Concert at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage)
Artists Here's why the producer of Ricky Martin's Livin' La Vida Loca made recording history
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...