Imagine Dragons - Believer - Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Evolve

2017 3:24

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About Believer

Few Imagine Dragons tracks hook you as fast as "Believer," and a big reason is the guitar work driving that punchy, percussive main riff. In Bb minor at 120 BPM, the riff sits in a rhythmic pocket that demands tight picking and solid muting. Sloppy muting is really where most players lose the feel, because the character of the part comes from short, clipped notes rather than anything ringing freely. The key of Bb minor means you are most likely working around the 6th and 8th positions, so get comfortable shifting there cleanly. In the heavier chorus sections, the rhythm guitar thickens up and you need consistent downstroke pressure to match the aggression of the track. This is a great song to work through with the Practice Toolbar: set an A/B loop on the main riff and slow it down until your muting and picking synchrony are locked in before bringing it back to full speed. Pop Rock playing often demands exactly this kind of disciplined rhythm technique.

• The signature riff relies on tight palm muting and short, percussive note attacks, so clean left-hand muting is the core technique to practise.
• The song is in Bb minor at 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, keeping the riff positions mostly in the 6th to 8th fret range.
• Chorus rhythm parts require consistent downstroke power to match the track's intensity, making right-hand stamina a key focus for practice.