Practice Studio

Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes - Guitar Cover

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

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Speed
100%

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BPM
Key G minor
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Evolve album cover
Evolve
2017 3:21
Capo Advisor 0 G minor · Original key

About Whatever It Takes


From the 2017 album Evolve, "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons sits in G minor at a steady 103 BPM, giving it a driving, purposeful feel that translates well to guitar. The song leans heavily on rhythmic momentum, so locking your strumming or picking hand into a consistent groove is the first thing to get right. In standard tuning the chord shapes are accessible, but keeping the energy tight across the whole track, without letting the rhythm get sloppy, is where most players need to put in the work. The verse sections in particular reward close attention to dynamics, holding back slightly before the fuller chorus hits. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop any section where your timing drifts and slow it down until the groove feels natural before bringing it back up to tempo. As a piece of Pop Rock guitar playing, the challenge here is less about technical fireworks and more about controlled, confident feel from start to finish.

  • The song is in G minor in standard E tuning, so no retuning is needed and open-position chord voicings work well throughout.
  • At 103 BPM the rhythm part demands a steady, controlled strumming hand, making it a good exercise in consistent right-hand timing.
  • Focus practice on the transition between verse and chorus dynamics, where keeping your pick attack even under a rising energy level is the real test.

How to Play Whatever It Takes

Tuning: E Standard · Key: G minor · Tempo: 103 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 103 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Wayne Sermon's primary instrument for Imagine Dragons, the Telecaster's bright single-coil pickups and natural clarity enable his precise palm-muting technique and aggressive downpicking to cut through without heavy effects. The high-output bridge pickup paired with increased action prevents buzz during the band's clean-to-slightly-overdriven tones, making every picking articulation audible.

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)