In this lesson, I break down two key sections from a track called “Black Line” by my band, McRocklin and Hutch. The first riff is based on F# minor but includes one note outside of the scale that makes all the difference and sets the tone for a lot of the themes in this song.

The next section focuses more on lead playing than the riff-heavy first half. Over time, I’ve added some variations and embellishments to this section, especially when playing it on live streams. While the album version may sound more simplified, my current approach incorporates different techniques and sounds that I’ll break down for you.