Learn to play "My Sharona" by The Knack on the guitar

In this lesson, we'll learn how to play My Sharona by The Knack on the guitar. It's an excellent song that will test your guitar skills. It might seem a bit complicated if you're new to band play. However, if your band has been jamming together for a while, this song will make an awesome addition to your playlist.

We'll go through all the song's different parts, except for the lead solos. Your task will be to listen to the recording and make sure you place them in the right order. This might sound challenging, but it's not too hard, especially if you have a songbook in front of you.

The Rhythm

This tune uses eighth-note strumming throughout. So, any notes on the beat will be taken with a down pick, and any notes on the offbeats, or the "ands," are going to be played with an up pick.

Riff, Pre-Chorus, and Chorus

The first riff of the song is all based around the note G in an octave shape, and it's all about getting the rhythm right. It's not a tricky riff, but it does require careful listening.

The pre-chorus part of the song is based around the octaves on the G. There is also a little slide up to the B flat. This slide from the third fret up to the sixth fret that starts on the "and" after four is a little interesting bit you need to get right.

After the pre-chorus, we've got a C chord, then we go back to the main riff, and then we're into the chorus riff again. The rhythm is the only tricky bit here, and it's all about getting it right.

The Rhythm Guitar under the Solo

Under the solo, there is a really cool chord progression. It starts with a regular C bar chord, and we put our little finger down in the sixth fret of the second string, which gives us a C sus4. Then we move up to an E flat chord, and we pop a little finger down now in the tenth fret of the third string, and this time, we're only plucking the fifth, fourth, and third strings.

There are other rhythm guitar parts that we need for this tune, including a bit that goes over a C bass note. This is because before starting his solo, the lead guitar is just playing a little C power chord, and the bass player is playing the note C.

Wrapping Up

That's all the bits for My Sharona. This is a fantastic tune that requires a bit of time listening to the original recording to make sure that you get the bits in the right places.

You're definitely going to enjoy playing this tune. It's a proper, super awesome one, and I know you're gonna love it. I'd love to see some video responses of you guys playing this, either on your own or with a band. If you have time to do that, it'd be awesome.

So, are you ready to jam to My Sharona by The Knack? Watch the video and let's get strumming! And remember, practice makes permanent. Keep playing, keep enjoying, and keep rocking!

👉 Want chords, tabs, and lyrics to follow along with my song tutorials? Check out JustinGuitarTabs!