Learn "Paranoid Android" by Radiohead on Guitar!

In this lesson, we'll learn to play a one-guitar version of Paranoid Android by Radiohead that works great at open mics and parties. It incorporates almost all the best elements of the awesome Radiohead original - from the picking patterns to the 7:4 section and the fantastic riff.

Paranoid Android by Radiohead is one of the hardest tunes I've tried to play on guitar and sing. Recording this lesson was a lot of work! :) But it was so worth it - it's an unbelievable song packed with awesome guitar playing.

💬 Want a Lesson for the Lead Parts? Join the Discussion and let le know! I'm still transcribing the crazy electric solos, and I may release a lesson on them if enough of you request it. ;)

The Secret for Nailing Paranoid Android by Radiohead

Before we dig into the detail, let's cover the most crucial part of playing this song - consistent hand movement.

We go into the exact notes, strings, and beats that Radiohead plays, but don't get bogged down. The rhythm and feel are way more important, and you can only get it right by keeping your strumming hand moving as you play.

🚨 Always keep your playing musical - no matter how tricky the song is. Feel the music and get into the groove. :)

Time to look at how to play Paranoid Android - so let's get stuck in!

Paranoid Android by Radiohead: Intro & Verse

You need some moveable chord shapes and picked fingerstyle to play the intro and verse. We go into loads of detail in the Intro & Verse chapters, and you can get full tabs, chords, and lyrics at JustinGuitarTabs.

💡 How to Learn It: Study this part and learn the details until you can play it perfectly, then loosen up. You don’t need to hit the exact notes - make sure you hold solid time and keep it musical. :)

Counting this part is tricky, so I rely on my musical imagination to get it right. I think of the song and make my hands replicate the sound! You'll need to listen to the original loads to play like this.

Don't get me wrong - counting is useful, and you should be able to do it, but you get a better result with your musical imagination. :)

Paranoid Android by Radiohead: Chorus

The Paranoid Andriod chorus has lots more strumming than the verse, but we also pick out some open strings to mimic Radiohead. Learning the exact pattern for the chorus is helpful - it teaches you to pick accurately, which is an ultra-useful guitar skill.

The upside is that the chord grips are pretty simple, and you'll find all the details in the How to Play The Chorus chapter.

Guitar Riff

The guitar riff in Paranoid Android only contains four notes and sounds wicked! You might even like to transcribe it yourself. ;) In the video, we go into detail and do multiple demos with different tempos and counts. As always, keep your picking hand moving consistently.

7:4 Chord Section on Guitar

Yet more fun! For this section, we need to strum in 7:4, use the thumb for our barre chords, AND add embellishments. That's plenty to work on. :)

We start with C as an E Shape, using the thumb. Then we switch to A♭6, using a similar shape but with a little finger added, and move to B♭ as a passing chord to return to C.

After four reps, we step down from C to B to B♭ to A♭ before finishing on an F Barre Chord. Don't worry if this sounds tricky - we do a slow playthrough in the video lesson!

👉 Tip for Counting 7:4 Time: It's hard to count music in sevens, so I usually split one bar of 7:4 into one of 4:4 and one of 3:4. Another tip: I feel the last beat of 7:4 like a jolt or a push in the back. Remember this as you're strumming this section. :)

4:4 Chord Section on Guitar

After the 7:4 section, we head into a 4:4 section loaded with barre chords. You need to be comfortable with your E and A-shape barre chords and know all the notes on the thickest two strings! Luckily, in the final two bars, we switch to open chords and can rest our hands a bit. ;)

There are several key changes in this section, and to start the second rep, you need to switch from an A Major chord to a Cm chord. It's a strange key change, making the melody awkward to sing. It's worth figuring out the melody by ear so you can use the notes as a reference for your voice. :)

Song Structure

You'll find out how the sections fit together in the Song Structure chapters, but I suggest you listen to the Radiohead version and memorize the order. One trick is to write down the sections on paper. This will help you memorize this complex song!

As I've mentioned a gazillion times, keep your hand moving and copy the vibe. Learn it exactly, then try to forget the details during performances. Relax and keep it musical; the audience will totally dig your playing. Laters! :)

👉 Get full guitar tabs, chords, and lyrics for Paranoid Android and hundreds of other songs at JustinGuitarTabs. :)