I want to be able to play something that will impress people. I am sort of a beginner. I can play all the chords, and tabs, but notes I`m still stuck on.

What riff, etc, could I play to sound good while playing alone?

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12-12-10-12-----------------------------
------------12--11--10------------------
------------------------10---13(~)--10--

Eric Clapton (aka slowhand) played this in the band cream. The song its form is Sunshine of your Love.
KEY: ~ sting bend
()doesnt have to be used to sound good

I dont always use the bend,Its a fairly easy riff, but a good one.

I also have the into to AC/DC`s Hard as the rock if u want it.

Here is also another good rythym

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--2-2-4-4-2-2-4-4-5-5-4-4-2-2----------------------|
--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0----------------------|
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Can play on any sting as long as the 0-0-0 or 2-2-4-4 etc. doesnt go off the fingerboard

well if you want to sound good and impress some people..just...start tuning the guitar..and keep tightening the high e string while you have your face down and toward the bridge..and just keep tightening the tuning peg..till it snaps and whips you in the face..then look up...and faint right on the floor and fall on and crush your guitar
if that doesnt impress them..nothing will.
love uncle cal.

Sounding really good by yourself isn`t as hard as it looks. If Aaron Lewis can do it, so can you... First, you`ve gotta pick a song that has some leads. There`s no point in playing all rhythm. It`s boring. Mix the lead and the rhythm as you play... If you`ve heard the acoustic version of Creed`s My Own Prison, you`ll understand... In it, Mark Tremonti (Their guitarist) plays the beginning chords and then flows into the lead..
Listen to it. You`ll understand.. This will actually sound like two guitars are playing. It will be beautiful. I promise. But you`ve gotta do it right. No mistakes. People are always waiting for you to screw up. for a chance to laugh at you. Don`t let them have it.
You could also play something that has lead and bass at the same time like Creed`s One Last Breath. That`s also nice... Same effect: It seems like 2 guitars are playing. If you can get the rhythm to flow in, it`ll seem like 3 guitars are playing... Creed`s guitarist has a lot of talent when it comes to that kinda thing.
Next, you`ve gotta sing while playing like James Hetfield (Metallica). Remember, it takes a lot of concentration to play leads and sing. Don`t lose your focus. Keep your mind only on what you`re playing. Never let it run away... But you`ve also gotta remember that no matter how hard it seems, it is possible.. Work on it.
So, now you`ve got all the melodies, and the vocals. Only the beat is missing. You can get a beat by the way you strum. You can also be creative.. Hit your palm on the fretboard, experiment. Look at Jimi Hendrix. That guy used to literally eat his guitars.. Try to get that punch into your tune. I don`t know if you understand what I mean. E-mail me if you don`t. I`ll explain in more detail...
Remember it might not be possible to get all these effects into one song. This is actually a good thing. In a performance, you play lots of songs. Keep different tricks for different songs..

This is a very very brief overview.. If you need more info, like how to increase your speed or flow or how to create your own leads let me know...

Im 17 and have been playing the guitar for 5 years now, and i play on my own quite a lot. The best thing i can suggest is that you play around with the pentatonic scales and see how it sounds. After a while you will find that you will begin to get faster and faster, and realise that it actually sound good.

You could also play chords and include small riffs at the same time and you will again find that it sounds effective, like Bon Jovi for example. I hope everything goes well for you. E-mail me back sometime. C u later. Rob.

A good riff is Stairway to heaven by Led Zepplin. Try it.

its got a great deal to do with confidence,if your diggin what your doin, others will to,always try to look cool even when u dont feel it, if the sharks smell blood, your a goner,(not a gooner, although id say thats worse) on the playin side of things pick songs at first at least, that people know, as they will hear in their heads all the bits your not playin(trust me on this one)also dont be afraid to change an arrangment to better suit a solo gig! good luck...ps wonderwall is always a good one and really easy to play as all the chords are open(capo at 2nd fret)

if you put cotton buds in your ears you tend to sound alot better! hope this helps...

stop playin!..start hammminnnn!