Do I Wanna Know - Arctic Monkeys

"Do I Wanna Know" is one of Arctic Monkeys' most recognizable songs, and the riff is a perfect showcase for hammer-ons, slides, and position shifts. This lesson covers the authentic way Alex Turner plays the riff, including the thumb-over-top technique and proper muting that keeps the riff clean and controlled.

Getting the Tone

The original recording features two distinct guitar parts - one with tremolo and a cleaner tone, and another with heavy fuzz. The tremolo effect manipulates the volume to create a rapid loud-quiet wave that gives the riff its rhythmic character. Combined with a slight boost or compression and a crunch setting with relatively low gain (around 3 out of 10), you can nail that signature sound.

The Main Riff

The riff is built around G minor pentatonic position, starting with F-G-B♭-G (frets 1-3-1-3 on the low E string). The core technique involves a hammer-on from the first finger to the third finger, followed by a slide from fret 3 to fret 5. The way Alex Turner actually plays it is 1-3-0-3 (with the open string), not using the 5th fret in that section - this is a common mistake in tabs. The riff concludes with a slide from 1 to 3, picking 3 again, then a hammer-on to 5, and finishing with the index finger on 3.

Muting and Thumb Technique

As you move from the 6th string to the 5th string and then to the 4th string, proper muting becomes essential. The thumb needs to mute the thicker strings while you're playing the higher ones, otherwise all the strings ring out together. Many electric lead players - including Alex Turner - use a thumb-over-top technique with the elbow tucked into the side and fingers angled. This creates the necessary stretch without forcing awkward wrist angles.

The Pre-Chorus

The pre-chorus section features a drag-down from the 10th fret to the 6th fret on the A string. This isn't a quick slide - you want to hear every fret as you drag down slowly. After that, the pattern moves through frets 3-5-6-5-3, shifts position, then goes 3-0-3.

Jamie Cook's Lead Line

Jamie Cook's lead parts are deceptively simple but incredibly effective. The lead line starts at frets 8-10-8-10-11-13-10-11, all using the G natural minor scale. This scale appears frequently in Arctic Monkeys songs, layered over the more pentatonic rhythm parts. The lead features multiple slides, which are a signature element of their style. Adding a Tube Screamer or fuzz pedal makes the lead cut through the mix with more aggression. Mastering this song builds the foundation for more challenging Arctic Monkeys material like "Knee Socks" later in your development.