Making "boomer" Riffs Cool Again? Options

[Todd Simpson]

Here is a guy turning a "Boomer Riff" (Iron Man) in to a "Modern Riff" (Polyphia). So from crusty to trendy!! Turns out pretty cool. Whaddya think



I've been seeing a LOT of "Boomer" memes on youtube lately. So many that it's starting to seem a bit ageist over on youtube.
Oddly, the term "Boomer" is short for "Baby Boomer" or someone born after 1945 during the time after the end of world war II when people came home from war and had children, and 1965. This is the largest cohort in our entire country. My father was a "Boomer". The generation after Boomers are called GEN Xers.

"Boomer" Shred off. Complete with old man wig


How "Boomer" guitar players review gear


Here is top 10 Boomer Riffs. A lot are 90s riffs which seems odd.

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[Steve Gilfield]

The Iron man boomer version riff:

- easy to learn/play by ANYONE
- players who just started playing guitar can enjoy playing it, and will get some boost/encouragement into continuing playing guitar

The Iron man modern riff:

- too-many-notes, busy to the ear
- a lot of trouble and time in order to learn it and play it properly
- discourages younger players
- a lot of chance of making errors while playing it thus, full concentration needed therefore, minimum enjoyment.

Boomer version all the way for me

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This post has been edited by Steve Gilfield: Jun 23 2021, 07:07 PM

[Todd Simpson]

good points!! I like what he did with it, but I would't want to have to sit there and try and learn it. I like that style of play, but it's not exactly unique anymore. Sort of like tapping when vanhalen made it big. Next thing you know, everyone is doing it. Then it just becomes part of the language of guitar. The polyphia approach is starting to do something similar to guitar players and to music to some degree

The Iron man boomer version riff:

- easy to learn/play by ANYONE
- players who just started playing guitar can enjoy playing it, and will get some boost/encouragement into continuing playing guitar

The Iron man modern riff:

- too-many-notes, busy to the ear
- a lot of trouble and time in order to learn it and play it properly
- discourages younger players
- a lot of chance of making errors while playing it thus, full concentration needed therefore, minimum enjoyment.

Boomer version all the way for me

You are at GuitarMasterClass.net

Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!