Riff Rundown
Difficulty: Easy
Composer – Petty
Where to find this song – Wildflowers track # 2
Release Date – November 1994
The Bio:
After the release of their first album in the late ’70s, Tom Petty & the
Heartbreakers were shoved into the punk/new wave movement by many listeners,
who picked up on the tough, shining energy of the group’s blend of Byrds riffs
and Rolling Stones staggering riffs. In a way, the categorization made sense.
Compared to the heavy metal and art-rock that dominated mid-’70s guitar-rock,
the Heartbreakers’ gutsy return to roots was nearly as unexpected as the crashing
chords of the Clash.
Verse
Guitar 1
All notes are played on the “low E” string, and remember to palm
mute when applicable.
Begin the first measure of this riff by playing the “low E” string
open a few times. Then, use your 1st finger for the third fret, and slide to
the fifth fret. Play the fifth fret a few times, and then go back to the third
fret to end the measure.
For the second measure, play the open strings, and then use your 1st finger
for the second fret. Slide to the fifth fret with the same finger. Play that
a few times, and then go back to the second fret to end the measure.
For the third measure, play the open notes a few times, and then use your
1st finger on the fourth fret. Play that once, and then move to the fifth fret.
Play that a few times, and then go to the third fret.
For the last measure, play the open notes, and then use your 1st finger to
play the second fret. Slide to the fourth fret, and then slide to the fifth
fret. Play the fifth fret a few times, and then move to the third fret.
Guitar 2
All you have to do is barre your 1st finger on the second frets of the “A” string
and the “D” string. Play the “low E” open. After you have
played that a few times, simply barre the “D” string and the “G” string
on the second frets. Allow the “A” string to remain open.
Guitar 3
All of these measures are mostly alike. For the first measure, place your
3rd finger on the seventh fret on the “A” string. Play that twice.
Use your 1st finger for the fourth fret on the “D” string. Next,
hammer-on from the fourth fret on the “A” string with your 1st finger,
and then use your 3rd finger to hit the seventh fret on the same string. Play
the fifth fret on the “E” string about three times, and then use
your 3rd finger for the seventh fret on the same string to end the measure.
Since you know how to play the first measure, you will have no trouble with
the rest.
Riff Resources
Complete Transcription To “You
Don’t Know How It Feels” (PDF)
Complete Transcription
To “You Don’t Know How It Feels” (Power Tab)