Whitesnake – Still of the Night – Main Riff

If you're a guitarist looking to sink your teeth into a powerhouse riff packed with technique, tone, and attitude, the Still of the Night main riff by Whitesnake is an essential study. This riff isn't just iconic in the world of hard rock—it's a masterclass in dynamic guitar technique, making it a perfect feature for LickLibrary’s note-for-note guitar lessons.

This LickLibrary lesson breaks down the legendary main riff from Still of the Night, delivering detailed instruction that teaches not only how to play it accurately, but also how to sound like the guitar giants who made it famous. The riff is a showcase of raw energy, precision, and musical finesse, combining a rich mix of classic blues rock sensibilities with flashy 80s metal technique. Danny Gill breaks down this classic riff in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarists Behind the Riff

The original recording of Still of the Night features the phenomenal guitar work of John Sykes, who played alongside David Coverdale during Whitesnake’s massive commercial peak in the mid-80s. Sykes brought a heavier, more aggressive guitar sound to the band, blending his virtuosic shredding ability with searing tone and pinpoint precision. His influence on the song is massive—infusing it with elements of bluesy phrasing, metal intensity, and expressive phrasing that still inspires guitarists to this day.

Sykes’ playing was a major factor in transitioning Whitesnake from their blues-rock roots into the hard rock and glam metal mainstream. His combination of taste, technique, and power has made Still of the Night one of the most celebrated guitar-driven rock songs of its era.

Riff Breakdown and Guitar Techniques Explored

The Still of the Night riff is built on a solid foundation of rhythmic aggression and textural contrast. It draws on several advanced guitar techniques that add both character and complexity. Below are the key techniques covered in the lesson, with a short explanation of their function and benefit to players.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is crucial to controlling the percussive quality of the riff. By damping the strings with the side of your picking hand, you get that tight, chuggy feel that makes the riff punch with authority. Mastering palm muting helps build rhythmic discipline and is essential for hard rock and metal riffing.

String Bending

Sykes uses expressive bends throughout the song. These aren’t just pitch-accurate—they sing. Learning accurate and expressive string bending helps develop your control and ear, key to bringing emotion to your lead work.

Slides

Slides are used in this riff for dramatic effect, especially in the transitions between chord shapes and melodic phrases. Slides help improve finger accuracy and phrasing skills, and they’re perfect for adding flair to your playing.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

These legato techniques are used in quick bursts throughout the riff to maintain fluid motion between notes. Mastering hammer-ons and pull-offs increases speed, efficiency, and smoothness in your lead playing.

Power Chords

A cornerstone of the riff, power chords provide the song with its massive sound. Practicing power chords reinforces your fret-hand strength and picking-hand accuracy, especially when played tightly with palm muting.

Pinched Harmonics

For added aggression and flair, pinched harmonics are used to punctuate certain notes. Learning pinched harmonics helps develop your right-hand precision and adds extra colour and excitement to your tone.

Vibrato

Sykes' vibrato is wide and vocal-like—an essential part of his tone. Developing your vibrato adds character to your notes and helps separate an average player from a truly expressive one.

Why Learn This Riff?

Learning the main riff to Still of the Night is more than just copying a great guitar part—it's about absorbing a full spectrum of techniques and understanding how to apply them with feel and authority. You’ll not only improve your technique and timing, but also your sense of dynamics and articulation. These are the kinds of details that make a performance truly musical rather than mechanical.

This LickLibrary lesson gives you slow-downable video, clear demonstrations, and expert insights that let you dissect each part of the riff and master it at your own pace. Whether you're a fan of hard rock or simply looking to expand your technical vocabulary, this riff is a must-learn.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Pinched Harmonics
• Vibrato