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Twenty One Pilots - Heathens - Guitar Cover

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Key F# minor
Twenty One Pilots - Heathens guitar cover video
Kfir Ochaion
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Twenty One Pilots Alternative Rock F# minor
Capo Advisor 0 F# minor · Original key

About Heathens

At 85 BPM in F# minor, "Heathens" sits at a measured, mid-tempo groove that is deceptively easy to rush. The guitar part is built on a sparse, brooding clean-tone riff that leans heavily on string muting and controlled dynamics. Staying in E Standard tuning, you won't need to retune, but getting the muted attack to feel tight and deliberate takes more focus than the tab might suggest. The challenge is not speed but restraint: every note needs its own pocket, and the spaces between them matter as much as what you play. Twenty One Pilots write for a full-band electronic context, so the guitar holds a supportive, atmospheric role rather than leading the mix. If the muted rhythmic passages feel slippery at first, use the Practice Toolbar to loop them slowed down until the picking-hand control is solid before bringing it back up to tempo. Fans of Alternative Rock will find this a good study in playing with economy and feel.

  • The guitar sits in E Standard tuning, so no retuning is needed before jumping into the riff.
  • The signature part relies on palm muting and controlled dynamics rather than fast or complex fretting.
  • At 85 BPM in F# minor, the main challenge is keeping the muted rhythm locked and unhurried throughout.

How to Play Heathens

Tuning: E Standard · Key: F# minor · Tempo: 85 BPM

"Heathens" centers on a brooding, repetitive guitar riff in F# minor that sits at a relaxed 85 BPM, making the tempo itself manageable, but the challenge lies in keeping the riff locked in rhythmically while the electronic layers shift around it. The main riff uses a moveable power-chord shape combined with single-note lines, so nail the picking-hand muting first to keep the low-end tight and controlled. The most common pitfall is rushing the spaces between chord stabs; the song's tension depends entirely on restraint, so use the loop tool on the opening riff and resist filling every beat.

Loop each section and focus on clean, even timing rather than speed, with the metronome at 85 BPM.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Tyler Joseph uses the Strat's versatile single-coil pickups to nail the clear, articulate tones essential for Twenty One Pilots' syncopated rhythmic lines. The guitar's bright response cuts through electronic elements without muddiness, letting his precise playing technique shine in complex arrangements.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Joseph favors the Telecaster for its punchy single-coil clarity and minimal tone coloration, delivering the transparent, cutting sound that defines Twenty One Pilots' guitar work. The instrument's direct responsiveness supports his minimalist effects approach, relying purely on amp tone and playing precision.

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