In this video
Welcome to this Led Zeppelin lesson! Misty Mountain Hop features one of the simplest yet most effective riffs in the Zeppelin catalogue - just three notes.
The riff has unusual timing that doesn't sit squarely on the beat (very Zeppelin). Don't worry if it feels strange at first, it's part of what makes the song groove.
This is also where we start incorporating power chord sections for complete song structure.
Main Learning Points:
Just Three notes: on the dotted frets and open string
Repeating pattern throughout, played 8 times to start the song!
Keep movements small and fingers close to the fretboard for more speed
Palm muted A chord creates those rhythmic "chugs" that drive the verses
Song Structure:
1. Main riff (8 repetitions)
2. A power chord (palm muted): verse sections
3. Back to main riff between vocal lines
4. Chorus: D chord to G chord (or D5 to G5 power chords)
5. Riff twice, then back to verse structure
Power Chord Palm Muting:
For 'chugs' and palm-muting; this technique is easier on Les Paul-style guitars with the bridge on top of the body, giving you something to rest your palm against.
Practice Tip:
The original recording is quite fast. Use the playback speed settings and slow any song down to 75% speed to practice along and progressively speed back up!
Build essential finger flexibility while learning the blues shuffle riff that forms the foundation of countless blues and rock songs with this video from level 3 of my Beginner Electric course, more similar videos here
Watch this free video from my comprehensive Beginner Electric course, which shows how to use common settings like gain, eq and effects to dial in all common guitar tones - no matter what gear you have! Watch this free video here


