Are You Gonna Be My Girl
by Jet
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
BeginnerRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerWhy "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Jet's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
High-Tempo Motown Shuffle Beat, Chromatic Walkup, and Mixolydian ♭VII - IV - I Stabs
Jet revitalized 2000s garage rock by pairing the iconic 1960s Motown shuffle beat of 'Lust for Life' with aggressive Australian pub rock power chords. Starting with a syncopated chromatic bass walkup, the guitars stab staccato power chords (A5 - C5 - D5) before launching into a driving ♭VII - IV - I (G - D - A) chorus that demands listeners move.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
Walkup -> I5 - ♭III5 - IV5 (Verse) | ♭VII - IV - I (Chorus)Step-by-Step Movement
- •A Chromatic Walkup: Fast single-note walkup on the low E string answering the tambourine.
- •A5 - C5 - D5: Staccato power chord stabs locking with the high-tempo 205 BPM dance pulse.
- •G (♭VII) to D (IV) to A (I): The quintessential rock double-plagal cadence driving the anthemic chorus.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The chromatic walkup (open E → G → G# → A) builds urgent kinetic energy into the root chord.
- ›The chord stabs cut off dead on beat 4, creating tight rhythmic silence that makes the groove explode.
- ›The chorus uses open major triads (G, D, A) to create a wide, ringing contrast to the tight verse power chords.
Fretboard Mechanics
Keep your right wrist completely loose while playing downstrokes at 205 BPM. Choke the strings with your left-hand palm immediately after striking the power chords to preserve the punchy staccato feel.
Take a classic, proven dance groove (like a Motown shuffle) and supercharge it with aggressive rock power chords and tight dynamic stops for an instant radio anthem.
The scale for the gritty garage-rock solo fills.
Supplies the borrowed ♭VII (G) chord in the chorus.
The rock mode delivering swagger and raw power.
A5, C5, and D5 root-fifth power shapes.
Open G, D, and A chords driving the chorus.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding A major / A Mixolydian:
A major / A Mixolydian has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The High-octane Australian garage rock revival blending 1960s Motown shuffle energy with AC/DC power-chord swagger mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in A major / A Mixolydian
A minor pentatonic / blues scale
Notes: A - C - D - Eb - E - G
Application: Supplies the driving single-note bass and guitar riff hooks and fiery blues solo fills
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
High-tempo garage rock shuffle riff in A, moving into sharp staccato power chords and a driving ♭VII - IV - I chorus.
💡 Theory Insight:
These borrowed chords from the parallel minor key add darker, more dramatic colors to the progression. This modal interchange gives rock and metal its signature swagger.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
A5
C5
D5
G
D
A
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- A5 (I5)The stomping garage rock home tonic
- C5 (♭III5)Blues-rock minor third power chord creating gritty push
- D5 (IV5)Subdominant chord completing the energetic riff cadence
- G (♭VII)Mixolydian subtonic chord that gives the chorus its triumphant pub rock drive
Key Techniques
High-Tempo Motown Shuffle & Staccato Power Stabs
IntermediateStrumming tight, palm-muted power chords at a blistering 205 BPM tempo, cutting off note decay instantly with fretting-hand mutes
Uses chords:
Progression:
A5 - C5 - D5
Technique Tips:
- •Keep your right-hand wrist loose: tense forearms will fatigue quickly at 205 BPM
- •Cameron Muncey used a Gibson Flying V through a cranked Marshall JCM800 for maximum Australian pub crunch
- •Honor every stop: the tight full-band rests make the song sound huge
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of A major / A Mixolydian. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
High-Octane Intro Riff
Main Garage Rock Riff
One of the definitive guitar hooks of the 2000s garage rock revival.
- •Fast chromatic bass walkup on low E
- •Staccato power chord stabs on A5, C5, and D5
- •Maintain relentless forward energy at 205 BPM
Chorus Anthem
Chorus Strummed Progression
The soaring chorus 'So what you got to say? She's with me and I'm with her'.
- •Full open chord strumming
- •Accent the transition from G to D to A
- •Let the final A chord ring with stadium power
Blues Guitar Solo
Fast Blues Solo Licks
Cameron Muncey's raw, Chuck Berry-inspired blues solo in the 5th position.
- •5th-position A minor pentatonic box licks
- •Aggressive pick attack with natural tube saturation
- •Quick double-stops on the high E and B strings
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Bridge humbucker for biting garage-rock cut and high-mid punch
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 7.5 (crunchy British tube bite)
Treble: 7
Middle: 7.5
Bass: 6
Presence: 6
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (for solo boost)
Reverb / Delay:
Short spring reverb
Modulation / Other:
Heavy celluloid plectrums (1.0mm) for fast downstrokes
Recommended Learning Path
Chorus Chords & Rhythm
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn the open G, D, and A chords
- •Practice shifting between them at a comfortable 140 BPM
- •Build speed up to the album tempo of 205 BPM
Main Riff & Staccato Mutes
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Learn the chromatic intro walkup on the low strings
- •Master the A5, C5, and D5 power chord stabs with clean hand mutes
- •Lock tightly with the fast drum beat without dragging or rushing
Solo & Full-Speed Endurance
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Learn Cameron Muncey's fast 5th-position blues solo note-for-note
- •Build right-hand stamina to play all 3.5 minutes at 205 BPM with zero tension
- •Perform live with authentic Australian pub rock swagger
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Tensing up the right forearm during the 205 BPM shuffle rhythm
- •Letting open strings ring during the silent stop-time pauses
- •Rushing ahead of the drum beat on the intro walkup
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/4 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 minutes: Chromatic walkup at 150 BPM → 180 BPM → 205 BPM
- 5 minutes: Power chord staccato muting drill with metronome
- 5 minutes: 5th-position blues solo double-stop licks
- 5 minutes: Full track play-along
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Right-hand wrist relaxation at high tempo
- •Crisp silence on the stop-time chokes
- •Clean power chord transitions
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Start metronome at 160 BPM to ensure clean pick placement
- •Advance by 10 BPM increments to 205 BPM