How-To Play 'Magic Power' on the Guitar w/Triumph's Rik Emmett 

Probably one of the most talented vocal/guitar individuals to ever play and sing. Thank you Rick for the insight to this song. But thank you more for sharing your music with the world.

Rik Emmett is an excellent guitarist, songwriter, musician, and no surprise an excellent guitar teacher as well! What a humble guy. Triumph was HUGE!! I love them, and now my kids do too!

Rik's positive lyrics and fantastic singing and killer playing helped to shape me into who I am today. My 16 year old friends back in 1981 did not get Triumph or what Rik was all about. But I sure did. Its like a very small exclusive club that we few belong to. Only we few can feel the "Magic Power" that this amazingly talented musician gave us. Thank you so much Rik for everything.

Hes a natural....wonder if he knows how talented he is..?......The 83 US Festival video is one of the best gigs ever captured on film...and Ive seen them all......Rik Emmett was on fire that day.I never owned one Triumph album & then about 3 months ago I saw the clip with Triumph at US Festival..I ordered the CD & DVD.....Simply amazing..(and still is) Canada has definitely produced some fine rockers.....Being born & raised in Memphis,Ive been fortunate to have seen some great acts over the years,especially back in the 70,s when music wasnt theatrical garbage.....We were lucky to have had bands such as Triumph....and still are .....

". . . ohp . . (looks solemnly at camera), and girls too!" I so love this guy. The world is a better place for having him in, no question . . .

Rik was one of my biggest influences when I was learning guitar. Had the pleasure of standing on the front row in 1979 (on the Just a Game tour) and getting Rik's attention for a moment. He pointed at me and smiled. What a thrill that was for a 14 year old kid. Such talent on guitar and vocals!! Thanks for the music and memories, Rik! :)

So glad I ran into these lessons. Growing up in Western NY so close to Canada we got to see all the great Canadian bands....... I can still remember seeing Triumph and feeling the heat of those big letters lighting up behind the band!!!

What makes Rik Emmett (and anyone else like him) such a great guitar player is that he knows it's about being a great musician. The guitar is a passion in and of itself but being a great musician is what gives the guitar player such depth, ie: greatness.

Rik, I wore out more triumph cassettes cruisin and dating than anyone in Dallas Texas. Your one of the gifted and you are too humble. But that's what makes you so cool. Your the best, thanks for all the memories.

One of the most perfect songs ever. Thank you, Rik.

Rik is amazing: Songwriter, guitarist, singer, family man. I have seen him 5 times at a NJ charity event - I even had breakfast with him & Dave Dunlop (we stayed at the same hotel for the event). So very nice. I have managed to get my wife into Triumph/Rik and at breakfast she asked him a few questions about the US Festival etc. Rik rocks!

Triumph, US festival. They blew every band off the stage!!

Rik is one of the easiest guys to learn from, he breaks it down and makes it make sense. I would give anything to spend one day with him to just pick his brain. Respect is the word here!

Always reminded me of Tommy Shaw, only he was a real Damn Yankee. It was difficult not seeing more of Rik Emmett during the late 80s, I used to wonder wtf. Many years later I research the internet and find these gems. Rik is one of those gifts to the music world. It is we who are so lucky, and grateful for his music and here; his knowledge. What a guy.

Thank You Rik. It is very kind of you to take the the time to show us how to play your excellent song. As a musician myself, that song has always spoken to me of the awesome power that music has. You are a truly gifted singer, songwriter, and guitarist, and I Thank You for the inspiration.

Age has certainly had an impact on his vocal range, but, I'm right there, too. Still one of my most favorite songs of all time!

The entire Allied Forces album is amazing. Great songwriting, great playing, Gil's drumming was still tight...he got sloppy after this album. Magic Power is one of the few rock songs that can bring tears to my eyes; it's that good and that meaningful. Thanks Rik. I'm glad I got to see Triumph in the 80s and 90s and you a couple of times as a solo artist. I hope you come back to MA to play some more jazz shows.

Rik and Triumph changed my world forever. First time I was 17. I'm 55 now and stil listening to it. He gave me the magic power of the music. Thx Rik. Love ya. From Burlington Ont.

One of my Canadian favorites👍. I bought a 12 string a couple of months ago and now I have another song to learn. This song is what music is all about.. forgetting about the bs in our lives and blowing off steam. Music is therapeutic for me. 🎸🎶🎼

I discovered you in 1979 and now I have a lifetime worth of memories through your music. Thank you Rik. :)

Love rik emmett and triumph since 81.... have all their music. Such an amazing guitarist and singer. Best arena rock ever. Triumph reunion ovetdo...

I've written many songs over the past 40 years. I now realize I have rewritten Magic Power several times. I've always liked that song a lot, since being a kid, but I had no idea how much it had influenced my playing and writing until just now.

Can't wait to give it a try....this song is symbolic of what music meant to me in the early 80s...The lyrics are simply magical.

1985 was the Year Of Triumph for me, I'll never forget their live broadcast of their San Diego concert sometime around March - thanks Rick :)

If it wasn't for triumph I would not love music the way I do today been jammin with Rik and the boys for over 40 years thanks triumph for helping me shape my life

Rik Emmett is one of my all time favorite singers and guitarists , Triumph Rules !!!!!

What a fun person Rik is! Teacher, guitar historian, and comedian... Thanks Rik!

my favorite Triumph song in 1982 and today. I got chills watching this video. Listening to him sing along a few times was fantastic. I wanted him to sing whole song tho!!

This dude is pure magic. Lots of love.

Huge fan of Rik, he makes playing guitar seem so effortless

No question that this man worked hard to hone his craft, but some are just born with an incredible gift and clearly Rik was given special talent from above.

Love it when the original artist takes the time to post a tutorial. Awesome! Thank you

Wow that was awesome. Allied Forces came out when I was a Senior in high school, so this song especially is part of the soundtrack of my youth. Damn Rik you guys ROCKED. Thank you for this video and thanks for the memories.

You're such an unsung hero dude. One of the best musicians in my lifetime. Thanks for all you've done.

I heard this earlier this week and wanted to learn it. Didn’t expect to learn it from the man himself. I remember reading his guitar world columns in the 80s crazy talented.

awesome lesson, Rik. Thanks for helping me survive my teenage years, forever grateful for your inspirational music.. dont think i wold have made it without you. I'm just an ordinary man with magic power who never surrendered

please do fight the good fight! god bless

One of the few bands that had a positive message. I loved them.

loved triumph in the 80s,, I had the chance to see them with donnie Iris. , triumph, loverboy, and foreigner ..at toledo speedway jam.. all were awsome.. Dj Dan the man..1985. buttons dj perrysburg.. ohio. 09- 27-20

Rik Emmet the best gutarist and the man with the golden voice.

i love this guy. saw him play 6 times in st louis. i missed one year i would love to see him do another tour. i realize his voice isnt what it used to be. i imagine his scrotum capo is long gone.. He should just get a singer . lots of the old 80's bands have replacements.. There has to be at least a few people that can sing like him. He was the best singer in the late 70's and early 80's nobody could hit the high notes like he could. maybe he could use an octaver to sing those high note as well.Rik was a 5 position player he could sing write play guitar play leads and was a great front man

I felt like Rik Emmett was speaking to me and giving me a guitar lesson to one of my cherished songs. Wait a second...

I’ve no idea where I was or when I first heard Eddie (Van Halen). No clue who turned me on to Rush or AC DC but I remember exactly where I was and who turned me on to Triumph. Thanksgiving of 1980 a friend played “Fingertalkin’” off of “Progression of Power” for me on vinyl and I was blown away. Not long after Triumph released “Allied Forces” and I was hooked. Rik was shredding when very few were while being melodic and doing vocals at the same time. Another great Canadian export!

Thanks Rik. To the three people who put thumps down: The heck with ya!

You were on of my favorite guitar players in high school and still are. Could you please do a lesson on Fantasy Serenade?

We love you man. You made your mark, it's indelible, can't be erased. Love ya' Rick.

Wow, thank you Rik. Your music has guided me since the 70's.

I love that he still considers himself a member of Triumph!!! Time for a tour. ✌🙏♥️

Not just a Great musician, but a great teacher as well.

One of the great singer songwriters....and rik still got it

Ok, so I was almost playing it right! Ha Ha! Thank you for taking your time and teaching. You're one of my favorite guitarists of all time.

Rik, you're an amazing talented man. Thanks for giving us all some of the best musical journeys of our life. I loved the Thunder 7 concert in San Antonio back in 1984!!

Somethings at the edge of your mind, you don't know what it is.... Something you were hoping to find, but you're not sure what it is. Yes I do. It's that Rik is pure phcking genius!!! Thank you so,so, so very much, Rik, for bringing magic into all of our worlds!!!

How good was that! I had never previously consciously heard the Townshend influences in Rik's playing but oh my word they are there. It makes you take a step back and think how much Pete's rhythm playing paved the way for so much rock guitar playing that came afterwards.

Thank you RIk and CBC for doing stuff like this. Rik is one of the best guitarists in the world, and I am proud that he is a Canadian! His use of 12-string guitar is one of the big influences in my picking up a 12-stringe, and I just love the tone of them. I've lived in the US in various places, and come back to Canada, and you don't realize how important, enlightening and entertaining CBC is until you have to do without it.

Let me just echo the last few comments,Triumph was my cassette to go to and drive fast and rock out,now I have triumph on my iPhone and iPod still relevant and still rockin

That song is awesome in so many ways. Thanks Rik.

thanks rik and triumph this was my favorite tune in high school when stoned😄😄😄

This is what a musical genius sounds like. Rik is amazing in every way and yet extremely underrated and forgotten in most "greatest guitar player" lists (which I know mean nothing). There's alot of guys attempting to play this song on RU-vid and other places (including myself) but seeing how to play it correctly from the master himself is both astonishing and humbling at the same time

rick thanks for fighting the good fight and thanks for laying it on the line.. your instruction has been very helpful!

I Saw Triumph in concert at Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio back in the day. Oh, the memories......

Favorite song by favorite musician= Win. Video where he discusses and teaches= EPIC WIN! SO glad to have come across this series!

Amazing!!! The guitar is truly amazing! Thanks Rik Emmett.

A master, a natural..well done rick

Mr.Sir Rik Emmett, makes a very great teacher!

Such a guitar nerd. ❤️🇨🇦

You are a class act and so is the CBC for doing these Thanks so much :-)

Thanks Rick. For the years of awesome music that you and Triumph have made. Class of 84 grew up to bands like Rush, Triumph ect.

*pointing out the sheer unfairness of Rik having so much musical talent AND a full head of hair in his 60's.

One of the most brilliant musicians I have ever met.....at a radio station in Kenosha, Wis. in 2004. Rik was so nice.....and I learned one thing from watching him play live on the air. He played “Midsummer’s Daydream” and played & sang “Hold On” on his Yamaha acoustic 5 ft away from me. That day in April taught me the difference between a good musician & a GREAT musician. I had a computer crash and lost the pic of him & I together 😔, but I still have a CD of the audio from the board!!! 👍🏻👍🏻

Assuming Rick love all your songs! Since the beginning !

Gosh Hes So Good.. Honestly if i meet him , id probably start Crying, telling him how Great he is.. .. And this song is Sooo Beautiful !!

"Da de-bop be atta- da de doo". Well said Rik!

That double neck looks spectacular.

Rick you are as awesome as you ever were my friend

That was awesome rik still got it one of the best

Rik is from a different planet. Like Satriani. His understanding of music theory and use of of obscure chords is unreal

An alpine white Gibson double neck guitar......love it......how retro......

I saw you guys on the Allied Forces tour in the Bay Area. Still have a picture of me wearing the concert shirt, wore the heck out of it. It was a great concert.

One of my favorite songs. Awesome guitar player.

I'm not sure when Rick started writing his guitar column for Guitar Player, but I think I recall reading it before I discovered Triumph. Then again I can remember putting on the Armed Forces album at a party in high school. Such is long term memory loss. Regardless, I missed my chance to see them when my friend's girlfriend asked me to stay behind in the van instead of going to the concert. That love flamed out but not my appreciation for Triumph!

A true master and one of the greats!

Rik, I just stumbled o these tutorials. I will never play like I used to. But hearing the nuances and your heart put me in a better life place. Thank you.

So talented could listen to his lessons all day.

Thank you Riki.....this song has been such an inspiration to me, back even to when I began playing in the early 80's.Every now and then, when I'm feel'n down...I'll play this song and "CATCH THAT MAGIC POWER"!!

I was one of those guitar players this song was the whole reason to get a 12 string back in the 80's!

thank you rik and cbc for this vid! brings me joy to play Triumph fr fr

Thank you, thank you, thank you Rik. I really enjoy these videos by the original artists on how to play these old favorites properly!

The 12 year old in me is completely freaking out right now about how awesome this is.

Thanks for your time and instruction! I wish I hadnt adopted my own fingering (leaving out the F# note..LOL) yrs ago cause now I have to totally RE train them to play it RIGHT..LOL Great Stuff!

It’s soooo cool to see these guys showing us how they did it. I love this song, and Rick is soooo cool!

Thank you. I've loved this song for years and to be taught to play it by its author is ...like a dream...

Glad I found these Rik is a great teacher Triumph, always " The Blinding Light Show"

1983, Southern California, I was there. Triumph stole the show. Nuff said!!

One of the best ever. Still has the magic power.

He is my all-time favorite musician. I just stumbled across these lesson videos. My daughter is accusing me of going all 'fan-girl' over them. lol

such well written songs, they rocked

That tone is SO rich! Wow

A pleasure to watch you work sir!

That was awesome! Saw Triumph multiple times! Most underrated guitarist.