Why Playing Simple Riffs Is Not Cheating

A few days ago, I posted a short video showing how to play an easy riff from “Eye of the Tiger” on one string.

I expected it to do okay.

Instead, it quickly became one of my most-watched beginner videos.

That got me thinking, not about the song, but about why it connected so strongly.

The Beginner Myth

A lot of new guitar players believe this:

“If I’m not playing full songs or real chords, I’m not actually learning.”

So they skip over simple riffs.

They feel guilty when something feels “too easy.”

Why Harder Doesn’t Mean Better

A lot of beginners try to jump straight into full chord progressions, complicated strumming patterns, and the hardest songs they have ever heard.

What usually happens?

• Frustration
• Tension
• Inconsistent practice

Not because they’re incapable but because they skipped the confidence-building phase.

Simple riffs build accuracy before speed, control before complexity, and confidence before comparison.

The result is that you experience success right away.

That matters more than most people realize.

Progress on guitar isn’t just physical, it’s psychological.

When you hear something recognizable come out of the guitar, your brain goes:

“Oh… I can do this!”

That feeling keeps you coming back.

If playing something simple makes you want to pick up the guitar again tomorrow, it’s doing exactly what it should.

That’s not cheating.

That’s learning.

Keep making music!