Imagine Dragons - Whatever It Takes - Guitar Lesson

About Whatever It Takes

At 103 BPM in A minor, "Whatever It Takes" sits in a comfortable mid-tempo range, but getting the rhythmic feel right is where the real work is. Imagine Dragons build the track around tight, percussive guitar parts that demand clean muting technique and precise right-hand control. The groove leans on a choppy, staccato attack, so any sloppiness in your palm muting will stick out immediately. E Standard tuning keeps everything accessible, but the challenge is locking in with the driving pulse rather than simply playing the correct notes. The verses especially reward a restrained, damped approach before the chorus opens up, and that contrast is worth spending real time on. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop the verse-to-chorus transition slowed down until the shift in dynamics feels natural rather than rushed. Pop Rock guitar like this is often underestimated, but nailing the pocket and the tone control here is a genuinely satisfying target.

• The track sits at 103 BPM in A minor, making it a solid tempo for practising tight rhythmic control and dynamic shifts between verse and chorus.
• Palm muting and staccato right-hand technique are central to the guitar parts, so clean muting mechanics are the main technical focus.
• E Standard tuning is used throughout, meaning no retuning is needed and the chord shapes stay in familiar territory for most players.