Learn to Play "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult on Guitar

In this lesson, we'll dive into one of the most excellent and classic rock riffs of all time - Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult. So grab your guitar, and let's get ready to rock!

Introduction and Riff Breakdown

To start off, Don't Fear The Reaper begins with a killer riff in the key of A. We'll be using a partial A chord for this riff, which means we won't be playing the entire chord shape. Instead, we'll focus on the second finger on the second fret of the fourth string and the third finger directly underneath it on the second fret of the third string.

Now, let's break down the riff step by step:

Start by playing the open fifth string.
Move on to the fourth string.
Followed by the third string.
Finally, lift your fingers off and play the open G string.

After playing the open G string, keep your fingers lifted to smoothly transition to the next chord, which is a G chord. Simply place your second finger on the second fret of the fifth string and your third finger on the third fret of the sixth string (the thickest string). Strum the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings for this chord.

Next, we have a little F power chord. Place your first finger on the first fret of the thickest string and your third finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Strum the sixth, fifth, fourth, and third strings for this chord. The fourth string sounds unusual out of context, but trust me, it sounds cool in the riff.

Finally, go back to the G chord and repeat the entire riff. That's pretty much it for the main riff!

Chord Progression

The main chords used in Don't Fear The Reaper are A minor, G, F, and G. If you want to strum along and play a more chord-based version of the song, these are the chords you'll need. This chord progression is incredibly popular and can be found in countless songs, so it's a great one to have under your belt!

Additionally, there's one other section in the song that goes F, G, A minor, F, E minor. This part adds a nice variation to the riff and brings some extra flavor to the song. After playing the A minor to G chords a couple of times, the riff gradually morphs back in.

Picking Technique and Strumming

We'll be using alternate picking in Don't Fear The Reaper. This means you'll alternate between picking down and up with your picking hand. It's important to maintain a steady down-up motion throughout the riff to capture the essence of the original recording.

When it comes to strumming the chord parts, you can strum along with the same rhythm as the riff. Live performances often feature a "chugging" eighth-note strumming pattern, which adds a dynamic energy to the song. In these parts, power chords are utilized, specifically F, E minor, A minor, and G.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've just learned how to play Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult on guitar. This classic rock anthem is a must-know for any rock guitarist, and now it's part of our repertoire, too. Keep practicing and refining your skills to perfect this iconic riff and chord progression.

Ready to master Don't Fear The Reaper? Watch the full video, where we'll cover all the details, including strumming patterns, picking techniques, and more. Plus, join JustinGuitarTabs to access the song's complete chord progression and lyrics. So don't miss out on the chance to master this epic song!

Remember, learning guitar is all about having fun and expressing yourself through music. So grab your guitar, crank up the volume, and rock out to Don't Fear The Reaper together. Don't forget to practice regularly and explore other great songs too. Keep rocking, and we'll see you in the next lesson. Happy playing!