The Ultimate 5-Step Guide To Mastering The 'Feel Good Inc.' Guitar Tab In 2025

The "Feel Good Inc." guitar tab remains one of the most sought-after and deceptively simple riffs in modern music, nearly two decades after its initial release. As of December 17, 2025, guitarists are still captivated by the song’s signature hypnotic arpeggio, which is the key to capturing the Gorillaz's unique blend of alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronica. This comprehensive guide breaks down the exact tuning, chord shapes, and tone settings you need to master this classic track, catering to both electric and acoustic players.

The brilliance of the main guitar part, often attributed to the virtual band's guitarist, Noodle, lies in its repetitive, yet infectious, four-chord loop. While the song’s overall sound is complex—featuring a driving bassline, Damon Albarn’s smooth vocals, and a legendary rap verse from De La Soul—the underlying guitar structure is surprisingly accessible, making it a perfect piece for intermediate players looking to expand their fingerstyle and clean tone techniques.

Gorillaz Key Entities & Song Profile

To fully understand the *Feel Good Inc.* tab, it helps to contextualize the song within the world of Gorillaz. The track is a cornerstone of the band's discography, defining their 2000s sound and establishing their global dominance. The guitar part, while simple, serves as the main melodic and rhythmic anchor.

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Key Entities and Personnel:

• Damon Albarn: The primary musical force and co-creator of Gorillaz. He handles the majority of the songwriting and provides the vocals for the character 2D.
• Jamie Hewlett: Co-creator and visual mastermind behind the band, responsible for the virtual characters and their lore.
• 2D (Stuart Pot): The virtual lead vocalist and keyboardist.
• Murdoc Niccals: The virtual bassist and self-proclaimed leader of the band.
• Noodle: The virtual guitarist, whose clean, arpeggiated riff is the focus of this tab.
• Russel Hobbs: The virtual drummer and percussionist.
• De La Soul: The legendary hip-hop trio who provide the iconic, high-energy rap section in the middle of the track.

Song Profile:

• Song Title: Feel Good Inc.
• Artist: Gorillaz (featuring De La Soul)
• Album: Demon Days
• Release Date: May 9, 2005
• Genre: Alternative Rock, Hip Hop, Trip Hop
• Key Signature: E-flat minor (Ebm)
• Tempo: 138 BPM

Step 1: The Essential Tuning and Chord Progression

The most crucial step to accurately playing the *Feel Good Inc.* guitar tab is getting the tuning correct. The original recording is played in a slightly lower pitch, a technique common in rock and alternative music to give the song a darker, heavier feel and to suit the vocalist's range.

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Accurate Tuning for the Original Recording

To play along perfectly with the album track, you must tune your guitar down a half-step. This is also known as E-flat Standard tuning or Eb Standard.

• E String: Tune down to E-flat (Eb)
• A String: Tune down to A-flat (Ab)
• D String: Tune down to D-flat (Db)
• G String: Tune down to G-flat (Gb)
• B String: Tune down to B-flat (Bb)
• High E String: Tune down to E-flat (Eb)

The Simple 4-Chord Loop

Once tuned, the main progression is a simple, four-chord loop that repeats throughout the entire song. This is where the core of the *Feel Good Inc.* bass tab and guitar tab merge. In E-flat minor tuning (Eb Standard), the chords are:

1. E-flat minor (Ebm)
2. B-flat minor (Bbm)
3. A-flat minor (Abm)
4. E-flat minor (Ebm)

Alternative for Beginners (Standard Tuning with Capo): If you prefer to stay in Standard Tuning (E A D G B E), you can place a capo on the 1st fret. The chord shapes then become easier to manage: Dm - Am - Gm - Dm.

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Step 2: Decoding the Main Riff Arpeggio

The distinctive, funky sound of the main riff is not achieved through strumming, but through a clean, fast arpeggiation. An arpeggio is simply playing the notes of a chord one after the other, rather than all at once. This technique requires precision and a light touch.

The Main Riff Tab Notation (Ebm)

The riff is played primarily on the D, G, and B strings. The following tab is written for Half-Step Down Tuning (Eb Standard), corresponding to the Ebm-Bbm-Abm-Ebm progression. The numbers represent the fret relative to the half-step down tuning (i.e., playing '6' is the 6th fret on a half-step down guitar). The pattern repeats continuously:

 (Ebm) e|-------------------| B|-----6-------------| G|---8---8---8---8---| D|-6-------6---6-----| A|-------------------| E|-------------------|  (Bbm) e|-------------------| B|-----6-------------| G|---6---6---6---6---| D|-8-------8---8-----| A|-------------------| E|-------------------|  (Abm) e|-------------------| B|-----4-------------| G|---4---4---4---4---| D|-6-------6---6-----| A|-------------------| E|-------------------|  (Ebm) - Repeat e|-------------------| B|-----6-------------| G|---8---8---8---8---| D|-6-------6---6-----| A|-------------------| E|-------------------| 

Technique Focus: Use a combination of fingerpicking (fingerstyle) or a very light, alternate picking pattern to keep the notes clean and separate. The key is to maintain a steady, driving rhythm that locks in with the bass and drums.

Step 3: Mastering the Acoustic and Strumming Versions

While the electric arpeggio defines the track, *Feel Good Inc.* translates beautifully to an acoustic guitar, often simplified for a more casual performance or an easy guitar lesson.

Easy Acoustic Strumming Pattern

For a straightforward acoustic rendition, use the Capo 1 (Dm-Am-Gm-Dm) progression and a simple, consistent down-up-down-up strumming pattern (D U D U). Focus on keeping the rhythm tight and fast, matching the song's energy.

Acoustic Chords (Capo 1):

• Dm: xx0231
• Am: x02210
• Gm: 355333 (or 320003 for an easier G)
• Dm: xx0231

This approach allows beginners to immediately play the song’s chord structure and sing along, focusing more on the vocal melody and overall feel rather than the intricate arpeggiation.

Step 4: Noodle's Clean Tone Settings and Gear

The iconic sound of the *Feel Good Inc.* riff is defined by its pristine, clean electric tone. There is minimal distortion or heavy effects; the sound is bright, punchy, and slightly compressed. Achieving this tone is essential for authenticity.

Recommended Gear and Effects

• Guitar: A single-coil guitar, like a Fender Stratocaster, is often cited as the type of instrument used for its versatile and bright tone, perfect for clean funky rhythms.
• Amplifier: A clean, classic amp like a Vox AC30 or a Fender Twin Reverb will provide the necessary chime and headroom.
• Effects: A subtle use of Reverb is key to adding space without muddying the notes. Some players also use a very light Compressor pedal to even out the notes in the arpeggio, making the fast picking sound more consistent and professional.

Expert Amp Settings (Clean Channel)

While exact settings vary by amplifier, these general EQ guidelines will get you closest to the original *Feel Good Inc.* sound:

• Gain/Drive: Keep this low (2-3) to ensure a perfectly clean tone.
• Treble: Set high (7-8) for brightness and clarity, allowing the arpeggios to cut through the mix.
• Middle: Set moderate (5-6) to give the notes a little body.
• Bass: Set low (2-3) to avoid a muddy sound, as the bass guitar handles the low frequencies.
• Reverb: Set low (3-4) for a touch of atmosphere.

Step 5: The Essential Techniques for Topical Authority

To move beyond simple chord playing and truly master the *Feel Good Inc.* tab, you must incorporate several advanced, yet subtle, techniques that give the song its professional polish and topical authority.

1. Palm Muting (The "Chug")

Listen closely to the original track. The guitar part is not always fully open. The verses, in particular, use a light palm mute—a technique where you rest the side of your picking hand lightly on the bridge of the guitar. This creates a tight, percussive "chug" sound that emphasizes the rhythm and keeps the riff from sounding too thin.

2. Dynamic Control

The song builds dynamically. The guitar part should be played softly during the verses (using the palm mute) and then allowed to ring out more openly and loudly during the chorus sections. This contrast adds depth and excitement to the repetitive loop.

3. Integrating with the Bassline

A key to playing *Feel Good Inc.* successfully is understanding that the guitar is *not* the main riff; the bass tab is. The guitar arpeggio is a melodic counterpoint that perfectly complements Murdoc Niccals’ driving bass. Practice playing the guitar riff slowly while listening to the bassline to ensure your rhythm is perfectly locked in with the groove. This symbiotic relationship between the guitar and bass is the secret to the song's infectious rhythm.

Mastering the *Feel Good Inc.* guitar tab is a rewarding experience that teaches fundamental skills in clean picking, rhythmic precision, and dynamic control. By using the correct half-step down tuning, the simple four-chord progression, and Noodle's clean tone settings, you can accurately recreate one of the Gorillaz's most timeless and influential tracks.