Born to Be Wild
by Steppenwolf
Album: Steppenwolf
Released: 1968
Genre: Hard Rock
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding E major with heavy use of E power chord (E5) as the tonal center:
E major with heavy use of E power chord (E5) as the tonal center has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Mixolydian / Blues-rock hybrid with dominant chord feel throughout mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Pro Tip: These keys utilize open strings on guitar, making them ideal for powerful, ringing chords. The open strings add natural sustain and harmonic richness.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E major with heavy use of E power chord (E5) as the tonal center
E minor pentatonic
Notes: E - G - A - B - D - E
Application: Main riff motif and guitar solo; the blues-inflected minor pentatonic over a major key center creates the gritty hard rock sound
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
The iconic opening riff is built entirely on the E power chord with a chromatic walk-up from E5 to E5/F# to G5, creating the proto-metal sound that coined the term 'heavy metal' in popular music.
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
E5
Harmonic Functions:
- E5 (I):Tonic power chord providing the heavy, driving root of the song
- G5 (bIII):Chromatic passing chord in the riff creating bluesy tension
- A (IV):Subdominant adding lift and energy in the chorus
Key Techniques
Power Chord Riff with Chromatic Walk-Up
BeginnerThe signature Born to Be Wild riff using E5 power chord with a chromatic ascending line from E through F# to G, creating the proto-metal sound
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E5 - F#5 - G5 - E5 (chromatic walk-up riff)
Tips:
- • Keep your picking hand locked into steady downstrokes for the driving feel
- • Use slight palm muting on the E string for tightness between chord strikes
- • The chromatic walk-up should be smooth and even - do not rush the F# passing tone
- • Let the G5 ring slightly longer before resolving to E5 for dramatic effect
Open Chord Strumming (Chorus)
BeginnerFull open chord strumming for the anthemic chorus section using standard E, A, and B chords in a I-IV-V progression
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
E - A - E - B (I - IV - I - V)
Tips:
- • The transition from power chord riff to open chords should feel like the song opening up
- • Strum harder and fuller during the chorus for dynamic contrast
- • If B barre chord is too difficult, substitute B7 open voicing
- • Accentuate beat 1 of each chord change to drive the rhythm forward
Palm-Muted Power Chord Rhythm
BeginnerTight palm-muted chugging on the low E string between riff hits, creating the driving rhythmic foundation of the verses
Progression:
Applied over E5 riff sections
Tips:
- • Light palm muting - you want a chunky tone, not completely dead strings
- • Keep the muting hand position consistent for even tone
- • Practice alternating between muted and open sounds at slow tempo first
- • This technique is fundamental to all hard rock and metal rhythm guitar
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E major with heavy use of E power chord (E5) as the tonal center. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro / Main Riff
0:00-0:20Power Chord Movement Exercise
The iconic opening riff that defined an era - the chromatic E5 walk-up that first put the iconic vocal hook into rock and roll
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • All downstrokes for maximum power and drive
- • The chromatic walk-up E-F#-G is the signature motif
- • Add slight palm muting between chord strikes for rhythmic definition
Verse
0:20-1:00Power Chord Movement Exercise
The verse continues the main riff underneath the vocals, maintaining the driving energy with the E5 based power chord pattern
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Same riff pattern continues under the verse vocal melody
- • Maintain consistent picking intensity throughout
- • The vocal rhythm follows the guitar riff closely
Chorus
1:00-1:30Chord Voicing Exercise
The anthemic chorus opens up with full chord strumming - the iconic vocal hook with a classic I-IV-V rock progression
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Open up from power chords to full open chord voicings
- • Strum with full aggression - this is the payoff moment
- • Strong accent on beat 1 of each chord change
Guitar Solo
2:10-2:50Power Chord Movement Exercise
Guitar solo over the riff and chorus progression, featuring blues-rock bends and pentatonic licks in E minor pentatonic
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Solo uses E minor pentatonic scale (E-G-A-B-D) at the 12th position
- • Aggressive string bends on the B and high E strings
- • Mix of pentatonic runs and sustained bends for expression
Outro
2:50-3:30Power Chord Movement Exercise
Final chorus repetitions building to the climactic ending with the main riff driving to a big E chord finish
Power Chord Movement Exercise
- • Final chorus repeats with maximum intensity
- • Returns to the main riff for the closing section
- • Big sustained E chord to finish
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Pickup Type:
Bridge humbucker for the thick, aggressive power chord tone
Alternatives:
- • Gibson Les Paul Standard
- • Epiphone SG
- • Fender Telecaster Deluxe (humbuckers)
- • Any guitar with humbucker pickups
Amplifier
Settings:
Gain: 6-7 (cranked for natural tube overdrive)
Treble: 6 (bright but not harsh)
Middle: 5-6 (full midrange for cut and power)
Bass: 5 (solid low end without mud)
Presence: 5-6 (clarity and bite)
Alternatives:
- • Marshall Plexi
- • Fender Twin Reverb (cranked)
- • Vox AC30 (pushed hard)
- • Any tube amp with natural overdrive
Effects
Distortion:
Cranked amp natural overdrive - no pedals on the original recording. A tube screamer or light overdrive pedal can approximate the tone at lower volumes.
Reverb:
Light spring reverb from the amp
Other:
No effects pedals needed. The tone comes from cranking a tube amp for natural distortion.
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks for the riff and basic structure
- • Master the open E5 power chord shape (0-2-2-X-X-X)
- • Practice the chromatic walk-up: E5 to F#5 to G5
- • Learn the basic E, A, and B (or B7) open chord shapes for the chorus
- • Play the riff at slow tempo with a metronome, gradually building to 148 BPM
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks for confident full song performance
- • Add palm muting technique between power chord strikes
- • Practice transitioning between the riff sections and open chord chorus
- • Work on dynamic contrast between verse (tight riff) and chorus (open chords)
- • Play through the complete song structure with correct timing and feel
Time Estimate: 3-5 weeks for complete performance with solo
- • Learn the E minor pentatonic scale at the 12th position for the solo
- • Practice string bends and vibrato for expressive solo phrasing
- • Work on the solo note-for-note or develop your own improvisation over the changes
- • Dial in an authentic late-1960s cranked amp tone
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Using upstrokes on the riff - this song demands all downstrokes for the right feel
- • Rushing the chromatic walk-up - keep each note even and rhythmic
- • Not muting unused strings, causing unwanted noise on distorted power chords
- • Playing the chorus chords too quietly - the chorus should be the loudest, most open section
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with open E5 power chord strikes, focusing on clean attack (3 minutes)
- • Practice the chromatic walk-up riff slowly, then build speed (5 minutes)
- • Work on transitions between power chord riff and open chorus chords (5 minutes)
- • Play through the full song structure at tempo with a backing track (5 minutes)
- • Practice palm muting technique for tightness and rhythmic control (3 minutes)
Focus Areas
- • Clean power chord execution with proper string muting
- • Consistent all-downstroke picking at 148 BPM
- • Smooth transitions between riff sections and chorus
- • Dynamic contrast between tight verse riff and open chorus strumming
Metronome Work
- • Start the riff at 100 BPM with all downstrokes
- • Increase by 10 BPM increments until reaching 148 BPM
- • Practice the chorus chord changes at half tempo, then build up
- • Use metronome clicks on beats 2 and 4 for a rock backbeat feel