Chapter 5: Writing Riffs and Developing Your Own Style

How to Write Riffs That Sound Like You (Not Everyone Else)

If you’ve ever played something and thought, “This just sounds like someone else…” — this is your turning point.

In this chapter, I’ll show you how to take even the simplest idea—two chords, a few notes—and use seven powerful methods to turn it into something completely your own.

(No tabs or backing tracks for this one — this is just you and me sitting down together, going over seven ways to create your own music.)

Here’s what you’ll learn

• Apply variations to power chords for a more dynamic sound

• Add single-note runs to create flow and movement

• Change picking styles to shift the feel

• Adjust tempo to go from aggressive to atmospheric

• Move your riff to a new key or part of the neck

• Build beyond a riff into full progressions

• Channel the emotion or subgenre feel you want

These are the same tools I use when writing my own music — and they’ll help you go from simply playing metal to actually creating your own sound.

If this lesson lights a fire under you to start writing your own riffs, you’re going to love what’s waiting inside the Jason Stallworth Guitar Academy.

All of my courses and monthly lessons are built to help you take riffs like these and make them your own.
You’ll learn how to write, record, and refine your ideas — with new monthly riffs and lessons released on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month to keep your creativity flowing.

💬 “I tried another course that was all campfire chords—not my thing. Jason’s lessons had me playing real metal riffs within weeks. 100% best decision I’ve made.” — Dustan K.