The Eric Johnson Style

Description

Rhythm riff two has the same basic time feel (8th note triplets). The first chord (Eminor7) is played like a double stop. You bar the A-D-G and B strings on the 7th fret with the pointer finger and hammer-on the 8th fret of the B string, and 9th fret of the G string and then pull off.

The second chord in this phrase is the familiar C2 but this time I play the root note with the pick and hybrid pluck the B-G and D strings at the same time, then I strum up and down the chord. The third chord in this phrase is an F#/Dmaj9 up in tenth position, and is also hybrid picked. The final chord of this phrase is a simple G major bar chord in tenth position with a hammer on and pull of making sound slightly suspended for a second by playing the 4th interval of the G major chord.

The second phrase of riff two is played in the same fashion as phrase one, but instead of playing the F#/D in tenth position I play it in open position along with the G major chord that follows. I use the thumb over the neck approach for the F#/D chord in open position because it is more comfortable for me, but play it however suits your style best. Playing chords in different octaves can add more color and dynamics to a riff that has many like chords.