Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Practice Studio

Linkin Park - What I've Done - Guitar Cover

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key C minor
Linkin Park - What I've Done guitar cover video
Kfir Ochaion
Kfir Ochaion Top Contributor
YouTube: 2.4Msubs 1.4Mviews
Creator Page →
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Minutes to Midnight album cover
Minutes to Midnight
2007 3:25
Listen on Spotify
Linkin Park Alternative Rock 2007 C minor
Capo Advisor 0 C minor · Original key

About What I've Done

Drop D tuning and a C minor tonality give "What I've Done" a low, heavy centre of gravity that rewards players who take the time to really dig into the picking hand. The opening riff is deceptively simple, a repeating figure that sits around the dropped D string and builds tension before the chorus opens up. Because the tempo sits at 90 BPM, nothing is blindingly fast, but keeping the groove locked in and the palm muting tight across the verse sections is where most players slip. When the chorus arrives, the chord voicings shift and the dynamic jump is abrupt, so matching that volume and attack cleanly takes some attention. Linkin Park write for a Alternative Rock sound that depends as much on restraint as on heaviness, and that contrast between the quiet verse and the loud chorus is what makes this song worth studying. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse-to-chorus transition slowed down until the dynamic shift feels natural in your hands rather than something you brace for.

  • The song is in Drop D tuning, which lets you play heavy, low root notes on the sixth string with a single finger while chord voicings above stay accessible.
  • At 90 BPM the tempo is moderate, but consistent palm muting control through the verse is the real technical challenge to nail before speeding back up.
  • The verse-to-chorus dynamic contrast is sharp, so practise controlling your pick attack and letting the chorus ring out fully rather than holding back by habit.

How to Play What I've Done

Tuning: Drop D · Key: C minor · Tempo: 90 BPM

The core of this song is a Drop D riff that alternates between low, open-string-heavy power chords and cleaner melodic movement, so getting comfortable with the Drop D shape quickly is essential before tackling transitions. At 90 bpm the tempo is forgiving, but the main riff's rhythmic feel, particularly holding notes for their full duration rather than rushing into the next hit, is where most players stumble. The pre-chorus and chorus open up into fuller chord strumming, so practice that shift from tight riff-picking to broader strumming separately before connecting the sections. Use the speed control to lock in the riff's note lengths cleanly before playing at full tempo.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 90 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Brad Delson uses Strats for cleaner, textural studio parts that contrast with his heavy PRS-driven rhythm work. Their bright, articulate character adds sonic variety to Linkin Park's dynamic song arrangements.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Telecasters provide Delson with twangy, cutting tones for atmospheric clean passages, offering a different textural palette than his signature PRS guitars. These bright instruments layer beautifully with delay effects on tracks like 'Numb.'

PRS Custom 24
Guitar

PRS Custom 24

The Custom 24 was Brad's cornerstone during Hybrid Theory and Meteora, delivering the tight, articulate heaviness that defined early Linkin Park's drop-tuned sound. Its versatility handles both crushing rhythm riffs and smooth clean tones seamlessly.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

This amp's chunky, saturated low-mids and tight response make it perfect for Delson's drop-D and drop-C# palm-muted rhythms that anchor Linkin Park's heaviest moments. It cuts through dense production without losing definition.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Delson deploys the Cry Baby sparingly on select tracks for expressive, soulful moments that break up the relentless heaviness. Its responsive sweep adds dynamic character to atmospheric clean sections.

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay
Pedal

Boss DD-3 Digital Delay

This workhorse delay creates the dotted-eighth rhythmic repeats essential to Linkin Park's clean, ambient textures, particularly on songs like 'Numb.' Its digital precision enables Brad's dramatic transitions between heavy and ethereal sections.

Recommended for You

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)