Master the Art of Playing ‘Take What You Want’ on Guitar- A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Play “Take What You Want” on Guitar

Playing “Take What You Want” by Imagine Dragons on the guitar can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. This song is known for its catchy melody and dynamic structure, making it a popular choice for guitarists of all skill levels. In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps and techniques to master this hit track.

Understanding the Song Structure

Before diving into the guitar tabs and chords, it’s crucial to understand the song’s structure. “Take What You Want” is a three-chorus song with a bridge in the middle. The verses are characterized by a simple, repetitive melody, while the choruses feature a more complex and engaging rhythm. The bridge is a brief, but significant, part of the song that adds depth to the overall composition.

Chords and Progression

The key to playing “Take What You Want” on guitar lies in mastering the chords and progression. The song is primarily in the key of E minor, and the progression follows a simple pattern: E minor, G major, A minor, and B7. To play these chords, you can use a combination of fingerpicking and strumming. Here’s a basic chord progression:

– E minor: Em
– G major: G
– A minor: Am
– B7: B7

Verse Guitar Technique

The verses of “Take What You Want” are played using a combination of fingerpicking and strumming. Start by learning the basic chord progression, and then add the fingerpicking pattern. The verse pattern typically involves picking the bass note of the chord with your thumb while strumming the higher notes with your fingers. Here’s a basic fingerpicking pattern for the verse:

– E minor: Em (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– G major: G (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– A minor: Am (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– B7: B7 (pick bass note, strum higher notes)

Chorus Guitar Technique

The chorus of “Take What You Want” requires a slightly different approach. The rhythm is more complex, and you’ll need to incorporate some fingerpicking techniques to achieve the desired sound. Here’s a basic chord progression for the chorus:

– E minor: Em
– G major: G
– A minor: Am
– B7: B7

To play the chorus, use the following fingerpicking pattern:

– E minor: Em (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– G major: G (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– A minor: Am (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– B7: B7 (pick bass note, strum higher notes)

Bridge Guitar Technique

The bridge of “Take What You Want” is a short, but essential, part of the song. It features a more intricate chord progression and requires some advanced fingerpicking techniques. Here’s the basic chord progression for the bridge:

– E minor: Em
– G major: G
– A minor: Am
– B7: B7

To play the bridge, use the following fingerpicking pattern:

– E minor: Em (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– G major: G (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– A minor: Am (pick bass note, strum higher notes)
– B7: B7 (pick bass note, strum higher notes)

Practice and Tips

To master “Take What You Want” on guitar, practice is key. Start by learning the basic chord progression and fingerpicking patterns, and gradually increase the difficulty by incorporating more advanced techniques. Here are some tips to help you along the way:

– Practice regularly, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.
– Record yourself playing the song to identify areas that need improvement.
– Listen to the original version of the song to get a sense of the rhythm and dynamics.
– Experiment with different fingerpicking patterns and strumming techniques to find what works best for you.

By following these guidelines and dedicating yourself to practice, you’ll be well on your way to playing “Take What You Want” on guitar like a pro. Happy strumming!