Let’s talk about a really cool rhythm guitar concept that can make your riffs sound heavier and give them more attitude.
They’re called 4th intervals.
4th intervals, also known as inverted power chords, are achieved by playing a root note then an additional note 4 notes of a major scale lower.
You can also think of 4th intervals as a sort of power chord with the notes switched around.
Instead of playing a power chord with the root note as the lowest note and the 5th as the higher note – keep the root note where it is but play a lower version of the fifth on the string below the root note.
This is why 4th intervals are also commonly referred to as inverted power chords.
4th intervals are everywhere and make up some of the most iconic riffs ever played – Smoke on the Water being one of them.