Master Joe Perry’s Iconic Rock Riffs with this Sweet Emotion Guitar Lesson

The year was 1975 and famously Aerosmith at this time was living a pretty debaucherous lifestyle…

And this led to boiling tensions in the band.

But out of their unwavering dedication to the music…

Some amazing tracks came out of this period for them.

Today’s riffs are from the classic album Toys in the Attic.

And this song all started with a grooving bassline that Tom Hamilton stumbled upon one day in the studio. 

I’m going to break it all down for you step-by-step in this “Sweet Emotion” guitar lesson!

Who wrote Sweet Emotion?

The song "Sweet Emotion" is a classic rock anthem written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton, members of the American rock band Aerosmith. It was released in 1975 as part of their album Toys in the Attic. The song has an infectious groove, of course, powerful vocals from Steven, and some epic guitar riffs.

Recorded at the Record Plant in New York City, "Sweet Emotion" features Steven Tyler on vocals, Joe Perry on guitar, Tom Hamilton on bass, Brad Whitford on guitar, and Joey Kramer on drums. The track's production, helmed by Jack Douglas, contributed to its distinct sound and commercial success.

"Sweet Emotion" received widespread acclaim upon its release and has since become one of Aerosmith's signature songs. It reached number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. In addition to its chart success, the song has been celebrated for its influence on rock music and its status as a classic of the genre.

The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2019. And "Sweet Emotion" continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a timeless rock anthem.

Sweet Emotion Guitar Chords

The guitar part is built on a series of riffs. Aside from the single-note riffs, there are really only 3 chords used in the song, D5, A5, and E5. However, some of the chords will be played in different places on the neck throughout the song. Here’s how I would play them. 

D5 I would play in open position and just use 3 strings like this:

For A5, I use just my index finger like this:

And finally, for E5, I play this chord up in the 7th position as a 2-note power chord like this:

I also use a D5 power chord at the 5th fret like this as well:

Note how all these chords are power chords. A power chord is a simple and commonly used chord in rock guitar. But this can also be used in many other styles as well. It consists of only two notes: the root note of the chord and its perfect fifth. This stripped-down structure gives power chords their distinctive sound and versatility.

What key is Sweet Emotion in?

“Sweet Emotion” by Aersomith is in the key of A major. The song uses power chords for the three primary chords in the key of A. A5, D5, and E5. These chords are what we call the I, IV, and V in the key of A major.

As stated above, the chords A5, D5, and E5 are all power chords. This means they are built from the root note (notated by the letter) and the perfect fifth interval.

Here's how these chords relate in the key of A major with Roman numerals:

• A5: This is a power chord built on the root note A. In the key of A major, A is the tonic (I) chord.
• D5: This power chord is built on the note D, which is the fourth scale degree in the key of A major. In Roman numerals, it's marked as IV.
• E5: This power chord is built on the note E, which is the fifth scale degree in the key of A major. In Roman numerals, it's marked as V.

Now, let's break down the notes in each chord: 

• A5: The notes in the A5 chord are A (the root note) and E (the perfect fifth).
• D5: The notes in the D5 chord are D (the root note) and A (the perfect fifth).
• E5: The notes in the E5 chord are E (the root note) and B (the perfect fifth).

These power chords are frequently used in the key of A major and its relative minor key, F# minor, to create driving rhythm guitar parts and add depth to the overall sound.

A lot of the riffs blend a combination of two scales. So let’s look at those next…

Sweet Emotion Guitar Scales

The main guitar riffs in “Sweet Emotion” use a combination of two powerful rock guitar scales. 

1. The blues scale
2. The pentatonic scale 

The primary blues scale for this song would be the A minor blues scale.

The notes in the A minor blues scale are:

A, C, D, Eb, E, G, A 

In terms of intervals, the formula for the A minor blues scale is:

Root (A) - Minor third (C) - Perfect fourth (D) - Diminished fifth/Blue note (Eb) - Perfect fifth (E) - Minor seventh (G) - Octave (A) 

This scale is a minor scale and has the inclusion of this bluesy "blue note" (Eb). The blue note is what gives the scale its distinctively melancholic and expressive sound, often associated with the blues genre. 

Remember, rock guitar and blues guitar go hand and hand.

When played over a chord progression in the key of A major. The A minor blues scale gets an edgy sound. It adds tension and color to the music, creating a raw and emotive vibe. 

It's commonly used in improvisation and soloing, allowing guitarists and other instrumentalists to inject soulful, expressive melodies into their playing.

Here’s a common way of playing this scale in the 5th position:

The next scale is the A major pentatonic scale. This fits with the key of the song A major.

The A major pentatonic scale is a five-note scale, and uses the notes:

A, B, C#, E, F#

The formula for the A major pentatonic scale is based on intervals relative to the tonic (A):

Root (A) - Major second (B) - Major third (C#) - Perfect fifth (E) - Major sixth (F#)

The major pentatonic scale has an open and airy sound. It’s slightly different from the full major scale, making it versatile for creating melodies and improvisations.

In practice, the A major pentatonic scale is often used over chord progressions in the key of A major or related keys. It's particularly favored for its simplicity and melodic potential, making it accessible for beginner musicians while offering lots of room for creative exploration and expression.

Here’s how you can play the A major pentatonic in the 5th position:

Conclusion: 

To wrap it up, "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith is not only a classic rock anthem but also a masterclass in rock guitar. Written by Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton during a period of debauchery and tension within the band, the song emerged as proof of their unwavering dedication to music. 

These riffs and parts aren’t easy so take your time them and don’t forget to have fun.

And for some more great rock-style guitar lessons check out this Kashmir guitar lesson or this Sweet Home Alabama guitar lesson next!