HOW TO UTILIZE:
This opening riff to the classic "The Wind Cries Mary" clearly illustrates the chordal approach that is at the heart of Jimi's guitar style. There are a few key harmonic sources that Hendrix draws from to create this intro - a variation on a major chord shape, and the major pentatonic scale.
First, let's examine the chord progression for the riff (ignore the final few single notes for now). The song starts with Eb, E, and F power chords. The riff then continues with three more hammer-on figures which are essentially the same chords repeated - Eb major, Emajor, and Fmajor. If these second group of chord shapes aren't familiar to you, check the diagram below. It is essentially the bottom five strings of an open "G major chord" shape, with the root on the sixth string (which Hendrix omits). So, if you wanted to play an Amajor chord this way, you'd barre the second fret of the fifth, fourth and third strings, then hammer on to the fourth fret of the fifth string. Practice playing many different major chords in this style.
The riff ends with a few simple notes from the Fmajor pentatonic scale. Many of the riffs Hendrix plays throughout the song are based on this pattern.
After you've mastered this great riff, be sure to study the scale below, and come up with your own riffs in the Hendrix style.