My Sharona by The Knack – Note-for-Note Guitar Lesson

“My Sharona” by The Knack is a classic rock anthem that became an instant hit upon its release in 1979. Featuring one of the most iconic guitar riffs of the late '70s, it’s a must-learn for any guitarist aiming to build a solid foundation of rock guitar techniques. Our note-for-note guitar lesson on “My Sharona” breaks down the key techniques that make this song unforgettable, providing guitarists with valuable skills they can use in a wide variety of musical contexts. Let’s dive into the song, techniques, and benefits that learning them will bring. Michael Casswell breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview and Guitarists

The Knack's lead guitarist, Berton Averre, is responsible for the energetic and infectious guitar work in "My Sharona." Averre's playing on this track is a brilliant example of classic rock guitar, blending tight rhythmic control with explosive lead work. His contributions helped define the guitar sound of the late '70s and early '80s, inspiring generations of guitarists. With roots in power pop, new wave, and hard rock, Averre's style combines melodic sensibility with punchy, riff-driven playing. His use of both rhythm and lead guitar techniques in "My Sharona" creates a full and dynamic sound that makes the song stand out, even today.

Guitar Techniques Featured in "My Sharona"

Power Chords

One of the main building blocks of "My Sharona" is its extensive use of power chords. These are simple two or three-note chords that omit the third, providing a powerful and driving sound perfect for rock music. The primary riff relies heavily on power chords to create a punchy, high-energy feel.

Benefit: Mastering power chords is essential for any guitarist looking to play rock or punk music. They allow you to create full, powerful rhythms with minimal finger movement and are easy to transfer across the fretboard.

Palm Muting

Palm muting plays a significant role in giving the song its tight, rhythmic groove. Throughout the verse sections, palm muting is used to add dynamic contrast and control the aggression of the guitar tone, giving the chorus an even bigger impact when the muting is released.

Benefit: Learning palm muting enhances your control over dynamics and rhythm. It allows you to build tension and release it, adding texture and variety to your playing.

String Bending and Bluesy Bends

Averre uses string bending and bluesy bends to give the lead guitar parts in "My Sharona" their signature sound. These bends add emotion and character to the solo, infusing the song with expressive, vocal-like qualities.

Benefit: String bending helps guitarists develop strength and accuracy in their fretting hand. It also opens the door to more expressive phrasing, allowing you to add your personal touch to solos and melodies.

Alternate Picking

In both the main riff and the solo sections, alternate picking is essential to maintaining the fast-paced, driving rhythm of the song. By alternating upstrokes and downstrokes, the guitarist can play efficiently and smoothly through faster passages without losing speed or control.

Benefit: Alternate picking improves your picking speed and accuracy. It’s a foundational technique that will make you more versatile across all genres of music, especially in fast, riff-heavy styles like rock and metal.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

The solo in “My Sharona” features hammer-ons and pull-offs, which add fluidity and speed to the lead guitar lines. These legato techniques allow for fast, smooth runs that can be played with minimal picking, creating a more connected and flowing sound.

Benefit: Hammer-ons and pull-offs are essential for building speed and efficiency in lead guitar playing. They allow you to execute fast phrases with less effort, making your solos smoother and more polished.

Vibrato

Vibrato is used throughout the song to add sustain and emotion to held notes, particularly in the solo. This technique involves subtly bending a note back and forth to create a “wobble” effect, adding richness and depth to your tone.

Benefit: Developing a good vibrato technique will make your playing sound more professional and expressive. It adds a personal touch to sustained notes, making them stand out more in your lead playing.

Double Stops

Double stops are used in parts of the solo to create harmonised, fuller-sounding lines. By playing two notes at once, Averre is able to add harmonic richness and variety to his lead work, making the solo sound more complex and interesting.

Benefit: Double stops improve your ability to harmonise lead lines and create fuller guitar parts. This technique is highly useful in both soloing and rhythm playing to add texture to your sound.

Slides

Slides are used throughout “My Sharona” to transition smoothly between notes and add a more fluid, connected feel to certain parts of the song. These slides create a more expressive and dynamic sound, especially in the lead sections.

Benefit: Learning how to slide efficiently between notes improves the fluidity of your playing and adds a more vocal quality to your solos. It’s a versatile technique that can enhance both lead and rhythm playing.

Guitar Techniques in "My Sharona" Lesson

• Vibrato
• Alternate Picking
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• String Bending
• Double Stops
• Slides