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Stone Temple Pilots - Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart - Guitar Lesson

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Key E minor
Stone Temple Pilots - Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
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Stone Temple Pilots Grunge E minor
Capo Advisor 0 E minor · Original key

About Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart

Tuned down a half-step to Eb Standard, "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart" sits in E minor and runs at a steady 120 BPM, giving it a heavy, mid-tempo stomp that feels deceptively comfortable until you try to lock in the groove exactly as recorded. The main riff is a low-string, power-chord-driven affair where the feel matters as much as the notes: getting that slightly loose, muscular attack is what separates a mechanical run-through from a convincing performance. Remember to tune down before you start, or everything will feel a half-step off against the track. The Grunge idiom here rewards a firm pick attack and a little natural sloppiness rather than clinical precision. Stone Temple Pilots had a knack for riffs that sound simple but expose bad timing quickly, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse riff slowed down and make sure your transitions between chords are clean before bringing it back up to tempo.

  • The song uses Eb Standard tuning, so drop every string a half-step before playing along or the riff will clash with the recording.
  • At 120 BPM the groove feels approachable, but maintaining consistent pick attack through the low-string riff is the real challenge.
  • Looping the chord transitions slowed down in the Practice Toolbar will reveal any hesitation that disappears at full tempo.

How to Play Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart

Tuning: Eb Standard · Key: E minor · Tempo: 120 BPM

It is played in Eb standard, a half step down, so tune down before you start or every position and bend will sit a half step sharp against the recording.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 120 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Dean DeLeo uses Telecasters for STP's cleaner, stripped-back arrangements, leveraging their bright single-coil twang to cut through without muddiness. Their articulate bite provides the sparkly contrast to the band's heavier Les Paul-driven riffs.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

The Les Paul Standard's warm PAF-style humbuckers deliver the core-era STP crunch, offering rich midrange that bridges DeLeo's clean tones and overdriven Marshall breakup. This guitar anchors the band's signature heavy yet melodic sound.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While less documented than his Standards and Deluxe, the Custom's fuller PAF voicing suits STP's dense, layered arrangements. Its premium construction complements DeLeo's preference for guitar-amp interaction over heavy effects.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

DeLeo pushes the JCM800 into natural tube saturation for Stone Temple Pilots' signature overdriven tone, avoiding heavy distortion pedals. This head provides the warm, organic breakup essential to tracks like 'Plush' and 'Vasoline.'

Fender Twin Reverb
Amp

Fender Twin Reverb

The Twin Reverb's pristine headroom and lush reverb define STP's clean, atmospheric parts heard on ballads like 'Big Empty.' Its sparkle complements DeLeo's Telecaster work and dynamic volume knob manipulation.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

The AC30's natural chime and breakup character provide warmth and psychedelic texture for STP's cleaner passages and atmospheric moments. Its vintage British tone balances the Marshall's aggression in the band's dynamic arrangements.

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