Anchoring your third finger for this guitar riff is essential for a clean playthrough
In the realm of grunge music, Stone Temple Pilots stand out as a unique force, hailing from San Diego, distinct from their early 1990s Seattle counterparts such as Alice in Chains. Known for their intricate chord progressions and catchy choruses, guitarist Dean DeLeo brought a fresh dimension to the grunge scene that took over the world for a while.
Fronted by the late Scott Weiland—who later spent time with Slash in Velvet Revolver—STP had two hits that charted number one on the Billboard charts and fueled the genre to greater heights with “Plush” and “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart.” In this beginner’s guide to grunge guitar video from the Gibson App, we delve into a riff inspired by Stone Temple Pilots’ iconic track “Plush.”
Understanding the riff in detail
The riff is based around a series of triad chords with moving and interlinking chord tones on the top three strings of the guitar. Because the notes are in a higher register, they maintain good clarity even with a distorted amp tone. It starts with a distinctive chord voicing that sets the stage for the entire progression.
To achieve the authentic Stone Temple Pilots sound, precision in picking and chord voicing is essential. Begin by strumming the open G and B strings while holding the third fret on the top E string. This sets the foundation for the riff’s melodic movement. Transition smoothly between triads, ensuring each chord is distinct. There’s tablature in the video to guide you along.
Instructor Jamie Humpries says, “When playing this riff, remember to keep the third finger fixed on the third fret of the top E—really try to control your picking hand so that you are only striking the top three strings,” making sure to let them ring out cleanly.
The riff incorporates unique chord shapes, including a variation resembling a D7 shape, which produces an E flat or D sharp 7th chord. This unconventional voicing adds depth and complexity to the progression, which is characteristic of Stone Temple Pilots’ style. Embrace the melodic movement, explore the flavor of the chords, and unleash the power of their music through your own playing.
For experimentation, try to rearrange the chords, adding extra beats to some of them, and see what you come up with. With that high E pedal tone, you’ll find there’s a lot here to explore—give it a shot on a clean amp setting, too, for a funky take on this sequence. A bit of compression goes a long way with these tight voicings.
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