Rockwell - Somebody's Watching Me - Guitar Lesson

Body By Jake: Randy Couture Workout Mix (BPM 104-144)

2012 4:54

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About Somebody's Watching Me

The haunting, repetitive synth hook of "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell translates onto guitar as a tight, single-note minor riff that sits comfortably in Bb minor once you get your ear locked into the key. The groove runs at 120 BPM in E Standard tuning, which keeps the left-hand work manageable, but nailing the staccato, almost mechanical feel of the phrase is where most players stumble. You want each note clipped and even, not let to ring, so right-hand muting technique is the real focus here. The Pop Rock feel of the track means the rhythm guitar part needs to stay controlled and pocket-driven rather than loose. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the main riff slowed down until the muting and timing feel automatic before bringing it back up to tempo. Getting the cold, robotic quality of the groove right is what makes this one come alive on guitar.

• The song is in Bb minor in E Standard tuning, so no retuning is needed, but you will need to be comfortable working in a flat key.
• The signature riff relies heavily on staccato right-hand palm muting to capture the tight, clipped feel of the original synth line.
• At 120 BPM the tempo is moderate, but keeping the rhythm locked and even across repeated single-note phrases is the main technical challenge.