The Definitive 5-Step Guide To Mastering 'Do I Wanna Know?' Tabs In 2025: Riff, Chords, And The Iconic Bassline

Are you ready to master the sound of modern indie rock? As of late 2025, the demand for accurate, up-to-date tabs for Arctic Monkeys' seminal track, "Do I Wanna Know?", remains sky-high, cementing its status as a timeless guitar anthem. This song, the lead single from their game-changing 2013 album *AM*, is deceptively simple, yet its execution requires precision and a deep understanding of its neo-psychedelia and stoner rock groove. It’s a must-learn for any guitarist, so let’s dive into the definitive guide for mastering the tabs, chords, and the essential sonic details.

The song's structure is built entirely around that instantly recognizable, down-tempo, and swaggering guitar riff, making it an excellent exercise in rhythm and tone. Notably, its relevance has been officially recognized, as "Do I Wanna Know?" is featured in the Rockschool Electric Guitar 2024 Syllabus for Grade 2, proving it’s a foundational piece for aspiring musicians. This guide breaks down the process into five simple, authoritative steps, ensuring you nail every single note.

The Essential Gear, Tuning, and Key Signature

Before you even touch the fretboard, understanding the song’s foundation is crucial for achieving the authentic *AM* sound. The topical authority for this track begins with the gear used by frontman and lyricist, Alex Turner, and the overall musical context.

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• Tuning: Standard Tuning (E A D G B E). No need for drop tunings or complex alterations.
• Key Signature: The song is in the key of G Minor (Gm).
• Tempo: A steady, mid-tempo 85 Beats Per Minute (BPM).
• The Iconic Guitar: For the studio recording and most live performances, Alex Turner famously uses a Vox Starstream XII, a vintage 12-string electric guitar. This is the secret weapon behind the riff's thick, chorus-like, and slightly psychedelic sound.
• The Effect Pedal: A subtle chorus or vibrato effect is often used to emulate the natural doubling of the 12-string guitar, especially if you are playing on a standard 6-string.

The deep, resonant tone is a hallmark of the *AM* era, which saw the Arctic Monkeys—comprising Turner, guitarist Jamie Cook, bassist Nick O'Malley, and drummer Matt Helders—shift their sound toward a more R&B-infused, heavy rock aesthetic, heavily influenced by hip-hop production techniques.

Step 1: Mastering the Iconic Main Riff Tabs

The intro and main riff is the heartbeat of "Do I Wanna Know?". It’s a single-note line played on the lower strings, creating a powerful, driving momentum. This riff is what most people are searching for when they look up "do i wanna know tabs."

The Main Riff Tablature (Standard Tuning)

This riff is played on the A string and D string. Pay close attention to the rhythm—it’s a driving, syncopated quarter-note pulse that should feel slightly behind the beat, giving it that signature swagger.

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E|--------------------------------------------------| B|--------------------------------------------------| G|--------------------------------------------------| D|--------------------------------------------------| A|------6---3-----5\------6---3-----5\--------------| E|--3~-----3---5------3~-----3---5------------------|     G  D  G  D  G  D  G  D  G  D  G  D 

Pro Tip for the Riff: The tab above is a simplified version of the core melodic movement. Focus on the notes G (3rd fret E string), C (3rd fret A string), B (2nd fret A string), and D (5th fret A string). The riff uses a slide (\) from the 5th to the 3rd fret on the A string, or simply a quick lift off the 5th fret, to maintain the down-tempo feel.

Step 2: The Essential Verse and Chorus Chord Progressions

While the riff is the main feature, the verses and chorus rely on a simple, yet moody chord progression. Alex Turner uses a combination of open and barre chords, often played with a clean, slightly overdriven tone.

The Verse Progression (The "Have you got colour in your cheeks?" Part)

The verse uses a classic, descending minor-key progression that creates the song's melancholic and questioning mood. The chords are Em, C, Am, and D.

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(Em) Have you got colour in your cheeks? (C) D'you ever get that fear that you can't shift, the type (Am) that sticks around like summat in your teeth (D) D'you ever get that feeling that you can't say what you want? 

Chord Shapes:

• Em: 022000
• C: X32010
• Am: X02210
• D: XX0232

The Chorus Progression (The "Do I Wanna Know?" Part)

The chorus is structurally simpler, often just repeating the Em and Am chords, or sometimes just the Em, allowing the main guitar riff to act as the primary melodic hook. The bassline and drums (played by Matt Helders) carry the rhythm and groove, keeping the focus on the riff.

Step 3: Decoding the Crucial Bassline Tabs

The bassline, played by Nick O'Malley, is arguably as important as the guitar riff, providing the deep, stoner rock foundation that gives the song its weight. The bass tabs often mirror the main guitar riff, but with a different rhythmic feel and a more pronounced low-end presence.

The Main Bass Tablature (Intro/Chorus)

The bass is what truly defines the neo-psychedelia groove. The notes are the same as the guitar riff, but played on the E and A strings.

G|--------------------------------------------------| D|--------------------------------------------------| A|------6---3-----5\------6---3-----5\--------------| E|--3~-----3---5------3~-----3---5------------------| 

Bassline Focus: The bass is the anchor. Practice playing this line slowly and cleanly, focusing on the sustain and making sure the notes ring out. This is essential for capturing the song's "ballsy swagger," a phrase often used to describe the *AM* album's sound.

Step 4: The Bridge and Outro Dynamics

The bridge and outro of "Do I Wanna Know?" are where the dynamics shift, creating tension before the final chorus.

• Bridge: The bridge (where Alex Turner sings, "Baby, we both know that the nights were mainly made for saying things that you can't say tomorrow day") usually features a more open, sustained chord structure. It often moves to a different part of the neck, utilizing higher frets or a more pronounced strumming pattern on the C and D chords before resolving back to the main riff.
• Outro: The outro simply repeats the iconic main riff until it fades out. The key to a perfect outro is maintaining the rhythm and letting the 12-string's natural chorus effect (or your pedal's effect) wash over the listener.

For a deeper dive into the song's complexity, search for tutorials that break down the guitar part played by Jamie Cook, which often provides the rhythmic counterpoint to Alex Turner's main riff, adding layers to the overall soundscape.

Step 5: Practice Tips and Achieving the Right Tone in 2025

Mastering the tabs is one thing; mastering the feel and tone is another. Here are the latest tips to help you sound authentic:

1. Focus on Rhythm: The song is all about the groove. Use a metronome and practice the riff until you can play it perfectly at 85 BPM. The riff is often played with a slight push-and-pull rhythm, which is a key element of the song's distinct sound.
2. Emulate the 12-String: If you don't have a 12-string guitar, use a subtle Chorus or Flanger pedal. Set the effect mix low—you want a hint of doubling, not a full-on psychedelic swirl. This is the modern, budget-friendly way to achieve the Vox Starstream XII sound.
3. Listen to the Drums: The drumming by Matt Helders is tight and precise. Sync your riff playing with the kick and snare hits. The riff and the bassline lock in perfectly with the drums, which is a signature of the tight production on the *AM* album.
4. Check the Rockschool Syllabus: As the song is now part of the Rockschool Electric Guitar 2024 Grade 2, you can find official notation and performance notes that provide a highly accurate, structured breakdown of the song’s dynamics and technique.

In conclusion, "Do I Wanna Know?" is more than just a set of tabs; it's a lesson in modern rock production, rhythm, and tone. By focusing on the main riff, the simple chord changes, and the crucial bassline, you can quickly unlock one of the most essential indie rock tracks of the last decade.