Red Hot Chili Peppers is a rock band renowned for their hits “Californication,” “Otherside,” “Scar Tissue,” “Dani California,” “Can’t Stop,” “Snow (Hey Oh),” and “Dark Necessities.” They are a band that was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they collaborated with George Clinton, Eddie Vedder, and Elton John when they were all alive.
“Snow (Hey Oh)” was one of the singles from the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The music video, which shows the band’s history, was included as a bonus feature on the band’s October 2006 release. It was shot at their east-jersey concerts at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford.
John Frusciante is one of the most famous guitar players of the past and is often under-appreciated. This week’s playlist I’d like to add some of the classic Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks that you’ll recognize and appreciate and also some lesser-known, but equally amazing works.
For this tutorial, we’ll look at the primary part of the riff of Snow (Hey Hey!) performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers. While it’s known for its level of difficulty (it’s quite difficult to play), what I like so much about it, and why I chose to include it on a guitar site aimed at beginner/intermediate guitarists, is the cool use of triads to create an uptempo, groovy riff…a trademark of John Frusciante’s playing style.
Before you begin the melody It’s a good idea to listen to the music you’ll be learning, so that you can keep it fresh in your brain.
Snow (Hey Oh) Chords
In this simple chord progression, we start with the G major chord. This is followed by the C major and then a B major chord:
G#m – E – B – F#
| Key of G# Minor | ||||||
| i | ii | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
| G#m | A#dim | B | C# | D# | E | F# |
Now let’s take a look at the details of the Snow riff.
Chord 1 – G#m Triad
G#m Chord and Triad
The first part of the riff is played using a G major triad built from the C minor E chord. In the chord diagram you see the full G major chord and the triad used for this riff.
Not only does John use his fingers to create some beautiful music, but he also uses them in cooking and finger painting! I prefer a 5th and pinky on the root, but if you don’t feel comfortable using that shape for hammer-ons/pull-offs, Frusciante’s fingering might work better for you.
Chord 2 – E Triad
E Major Chord & Triad
The second part of the song uses an E major triad packed with ideas that come from a C shaped chord (CAGED). The riff stays the same in terms of picking pattern:
- Pinky on the Root
- Ring finger on the 3rd
- Index finger on the 5th
Chord 3 – B Triad
B Major Chord & Triad
The riff then switches to a B major triad, built from the G shape CAGED chord. The CAGED chord shape looks the same as E triad, but they are different chords that are both derived from a different shape fingering:
- Pinky on the Root
- Ring finger on the 3rd
- Index finger on the 5th
Chord 4 – F# Triad
F# Major Chord & Triad
This triad is the last one this time around. It sounds just like the E triad we played earlier, and this chord is in a CAGED shape so it has the same fingering as well. After this point, we go back to the beginning.
Chord 5 – F# Triad Inversion
F# Major Triad & Chord Inversion
Now, the second time through the riff, last chord changes. The guitar line still is an F , but in an E form CAGED shape that is like what you will find in a standard chord progression. The riff alternates between the last chord each time through.
The fingering for this triad is:
- Ring finger on the 3rd
- Index finger barres the 5th and root
- Ring finger plays the hammer-on/pull-off
Picking Technique
Picking scintillating Snow riff solos is all about speed, timing, and technique. For example, if you don’t have the technique to properly execute a downward sweep through your picking motion in the low register of your guitar, there’s no way to play cleanly.
Alternate Picking…with a Nuance
Bob’s guitar technique using hammer-ons and pull-offs is different than other fine guitar players, but it is not hard to work with. The twist that helps keep the pattern uniform is after the hammer-on/pull off, he picks a note.
Picking technique starts with a down pick on the first note, then an up pick on the second, a down pickup on the third, and an up pickup on the fourth. The next note is picked with a down pick and then you hammer-on or pull-off to it. So the first note down, then the third note up, then the last two notes up.
Right and left hand picking patterns are interchangeable with each other as they result in the same pattern throughout each riff. You always start with a down on the 1st note of a chord change and end by doing an up pick on the last note of it.
If not for the down pick after the hammer-on/pull-off, you would be alternating between a down pick and an up pick on the first note of each phrase.
This is a difficult riff to get up to speed and limiting it to a single picking pattern throughout greatly simplifies this process.
John Frusciante’s mastery of chord progressions make him a legend in the music world. He was able to create Snow – one of the most famous and widely used music riffs. It’s hard to master but always worth trying!
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Snow Ukulele Tabs
Verse:
B m Come to decide that the t G hings that I tried Were D in my life just A to get high on. B m When I sit alone, G come get a little known D But I need more than my A self this time. B m Step from the road to the G sea to the sky And I D do believe that A we rely on B m When I lay it on, C come get to play it on D All my life to s A acrifice.
B m Hey G oh… D listen A what I B m say G oh D A I got your B m hey G oh, D now listen A what I B m say, G oh D A
B m When will I know that I G really can’t go To the D well once more – time A to decide on. B m When it’s killing me, G when will I really see D All that I need to A look inside. B m Come to believe that I G better not leave Be D fore I get my A chance to ride, B m Well it’s killing me, G what do I really need D All that I need to A look inside.
B m Hey G oh… D listen A what I B m say G oh D A I got your B m hey G oh, D now listen A what I B m say, G oh D A
Pre-Chorus:
The G more I see the less I know The more I’d like to A let it go – B m hey oh, whoa… A G
Chorus:
D Deep beneath the cover of a A nother perfect wonder Where it’s E m so white as snow, D Privately divided by a A world so undecided And there’s E m nowhere to go. D In between the cover of a A nother perfect wonder And it’s E m so white as snow, D Running through the field where all my A tracks will be concealed And there’s E m nowhere to go.
Instrumental x2:
B m G D A
Verse:
B m Went to descend to G amend for a friend All the D channels that have A broken down. B m Now you bring it up, G I’m gonna ring it up D Just to hear you A sing it out. B m Step from the road to the G sea to the sky And I D do believe what A we rely on, B m When I lay it on, G come get to play it on D All my life to s A acrifice
B m Hey G oh… D listen A what I B m say G oh D A I got your B m hey G oh, D now listen A what I B m say, G oh D A
Pre-Chorus:
The G more I see the less I know The more I’d like to A let it go – B m hey oh, whoa… A G
Chorus:
D Deep beneath the cover of a A nother perfect wonder Where it’s E m so white as snow, D Privately divided by a A world so undecided And there’s E m nowhere to go. D In between the cover of a A nother perfect wonder And it’s E m so white as snow, D Running through the field where all my A tracks will be concealed And there’s E m nowhere to go.
I said D hey hey A yeah oh E m yeah, tell my love now. D Hey hey A yeah oh E m yeah, tell my love now.
D Deep beneath the cover of a A nother perfect wonder Where it’s E m so white as snow, D Privately divided by a A world so undecided And there’s E m nowhere to go. D In between the cover of a A nother perfect wonder And it’s E m so white as snow, D Running through the field where all my A tracks will be concealed And there’s E m nowhere to go.
I said D hey hey A yeah oh E m yeah, tell my love now. D Hey hey A yeah oh E m yeah, tell my love now.
Outro x2:
D A E m E m
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FAQ for Snow Riff Red Hot Chili Peppers
What is the meaning of the “Red Hot Chili Peppers”?
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are a funk band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1983.
The meaning of the “Red Hot Chili Peppers” is a bit unclear. The name was given to the band by their guitarist and bassist Flea and Anthony Kiedis, and it is said that the name came from an old nickname for a local strip club called “The Red House”.
What does the term “Snow Riff” mean?
A snow riff is a term used to describe a genre of music which has been created by the collaboration of two or more musicians. With the advent of technology, collaborations could be done remotely in different countries and continents.
The term “Snow Riff” was coined by Jack White in his song “I’m Shakin’.” The song was released on his album Blunderbuss in 2013. The song includes vocals by Brendan Benson, who is also a member of The Raconteurs, and Jack White himself.
In this song, there are multiple snow riffs which have been created throughout the duration of the song.
What does the term “Hot” mean in music?
The term “Hot” in music is a term that came into use in the mid-20th century. It was first used to describe jazz and blues songs that were popular.
In the 1960s, the term became associated with soul music, which also became associated with sexual desire. In the 1970s and 1980s, “hot” was used to describe disco songs that had a faster tempo and higher energy.
In the 1990s, it became associated with hip hop music as well as dance. Nowadays, it has become a catchall phrase for any song that is popular or trending at any given time.
What does the term “Chili” mean in music?
Chili is a style of music that originated in the United States. It has a unique, spicy, and sometimes hot flavor that is associated with the Latin-American culture.
A lot of people associate chili with the food dish – chili con carne – which is spicy and hot. This dish was created by Mexican immigrants who came to the US in the 1800s.
How is Snow Riff related to other songs by the Red Hot Chili Peppers?
Snow Riff is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers that was released on their album Stadium Arcadium.
Snow Riff is a song that was written and recorded in 2002. It is about a man who has been tortured by his wife for years and can’t find relief from it. He eventually gets away from her and falls in love with someone else, but he still feels guilty because he left his wife for another woman.
Snow Riff was released as the third track on the album, Stadium Arcadium, which was released in 2006. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 329,000 copies in its first week.