The Beatles – Paperback Writer Riff

Unlock the distinctive sound of one of The Beatles’ most iconic riffs with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “Paperback Writer” at Licklibrary.com. This focused, detailed breakdown will guide you through the exact playing techniques that made this 1966 classic a standout in rock music history. Whether you’re a Beatles fan, an aspiring guitarist, or a seasoned player looking to expand your vocabulary, this lesson offers practical insights into rhythm guitar phrasing, articulation, and tonal control that remain influential to this day. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Riff: A Rhythmic and Tonal Powerhouse

“Paperback Writer” opens with a driving, aggressive guitar riff that marks a departure from the band’s earlier, cleaner tones. The riff’s punchy character is largely the result of Paul McCartney’s use of a semi-hollow guitar, played through a heavily compressed signal and turned-up amp, pushing the sound into gritty overdrive territory. The lesson focuses on replicating this tone while teaching you how to nail the precise rhythmic placement and articulation that make the riff so engaging.

Key Guitar Techniques Explored

Palm Muting

One of the foundational techniques in this lesson is palm muting. By lightly resting your picking hand’s palm near the bridge, you’ll learn to create a tight, percussive sound that gives the riff its chugging rhythm. Palm muting is essential for controlling dynamics and adding groove to rock riffs, helping players develop precision and tone control.

String Bending

The riff also uses tasteful applications of string bending to create expressive, vocal-like inflections. String bending allows guitarists to reach pitches between frets and add nuance to melodic lines. Mastering bends enhances your phrasing and helps you develop a more emotive playing style.

Slides

Slides play a key role in transitioning between notes in the riff smoothly and stylistically. Sliding into or out of a note adds a vocal-like fluidity that contrasts with more staccato elements of the part. It’s also a great way to improve fretboard navigation and hand coordination.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The riff makes use of hammer-ons and pull-offs to articulate fast note groupings with fluid motion. These legato techniques are vital for creating seamless runs and improving finger strength and independence. They’re also key to developing speed without sacrificing clarity.

Open String Riffs

A defining feature of “Paperback Writer” is its clever use of open-string riffs. Open strings provide a ringing, full sound that contrasts beautifully with fretted notes, creating natural resonance and sustain. This technique broadens your understanding of the guitar’s sonic range and encourages creative riff construction.

About the Guitarists

Although Paul McCartney played the main guitar riff on a 1964 Epiphone Casino, the recording also features contributions from John Lennon and George Harrison, who added backing guitar layers and textures. McCartney’s unorthodox approach to guitar—coming from a bassist’s perspective—contributes to the unique phrasing and drive of the riff. Lennon and Harrison, both masters of rhythm and tonal layering, helped shape The Beatles’ groundbreaking studio sound. Collectively, their influence is immeasurable, laying the foundation for modern pop and rock guitar work with their innovative use of recording techniques and musical experimentation.

Benefits of Learning This Riff

Learning “Paperback Writer” offers more than just the ability to play a Beatles classic. It sharpens several core aspects of your guitar playing:

• Rhythmic accuracy through tight palm-muted phrases.
• Dynamic control by blending muting, slides, and bends.
• Melodic articulation using hammer-ons, pull-offs, and open strings.
• Fretboard confidence as you combine fretted notes with open string drones.

This lesson is ideal for players looking to deepen their understanding of riff construction and build a toolkit of techniques that apply across a wide range of styles—from classic rock to modern alternative.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Open String Riffs

Ready to dive in? Head over to Licklibrary.com and learn how to play this game-changing Beatles riff exactly as it was recorded.