The Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin' - Guitar Lesson

About Long Train Runnin'

Few riffs in Funk Rock are as immediately recognizable as the one that drives "Long Train Runnin'". It is a single-string, 16th-note groove in G minor that locks in with the bass and percussion to create a hypnotic, chugging feel. The whole track sits at 106 BPM, which is moderate on paper, but keeping that riff tight and perfectly in the pocket at that tempo is harder than it sounds. Your pick attack, muting hand, and rhythmic consistency all get exposed very quickly. The key challenge is staying relaxed while keeping the 16th notes even, because any tension in your picking hand will cause you to rush or clip the notes unevenly. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the riff slowed down until the right-hand motion feels automatic before bringing it back up to full speed. The Doobie Brothers built the whole track around that riff, so nailing it cleanly is really the whole lesson here.

• The signature riff is a single-string 16th-note figure in G minor, demanding tight right-hand muting and consistent pick attack throughout.
• At 106 BPM in E Standard tuning, the riff sits in a tempo range where rhythmic sloppiness becomes very audible, so slow practice is essential.
• Because the riff repeats with little variation, building stamina and keeping your picking hand relaxed over multiple passes is the main physical challenge.