Karma Police
by Radiohead
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
IntermediateWhy "Karma Police" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Radiohead's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Stepwise Inverted Bass Descent (Am → D/F# → Em → G) and Ethereal B Minor Bridge Modulation
Thom Yorke crafts an atmosphere of paranoid elegance using a descending acoustic bassline borrowed from The Beatles. The verse steps down from Am through D/F# (with the thumb fretting the bass note) to Em and G. When the bridge arrives with 'For a minute there, I lost myself', the song modulates into B minor, letting swirling tape echo feedback wash over lush acoustic arpeggios in a moment of transcendent release.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
i - IV6 - v - VII - i - VI - v - VII (Verse) | III - IV - VII - v (Chorus) | ii - IV - VII - IV (Bridge in Bm)Step-by-Step Movement
- •Am (i) to D/F# (IV6): Stepwise bass descent (A → F#) introducing a warm major-sixth Dorian flavor.
- •Em (v) to G (VII): Continues the descent into the relative major realm.
- •F (VI) in Second Half: Dark submediant chord grounding the progression in natural minor.
- •Bm Modulation (Bridge): Ethereal shift into B minor providing an intoxicating sense of surrender.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The bassline moves cleanly: A (open A) → F# (fret 2 low E) → E (open low E) → G (fret 3 low E).
- ›The inverted D/F# chord maintains an open D triad on strings 1–3, keeping treble shimmer high while the bass drops.
- ›In the outro, Jonny Greenwood drives a Roland Space Echo into self-oscillation, turning delay repeats into a jet-engine roar.
Fretboard Mechanics
Wrap your fretting thumb over the top of the neck to anchor the 2nd fret of the low E string for D/F#, while keeping your middle, ring, and pinky fingers relaxed for the high D triad. Strum with acoustic dynamic restraint in the verse.
A descending slash chord (like IV/6) softens the descent from minor tonic to dominant, giving acoustic chord progressions the narrative grace of classic 1960s pop.
The Aeolian scale underpinning the verse and chorus.
The modulated bridge scale.
The natural minor mode providing reflective, somber emotion.
The D/F# thumb-over chord that defines the verse walkdown.
Resonant open acoustic voicings used throughout.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding A minor / E minor:
A minor / E minor has a darker, more introspective character. The Haunting, Beatles-esque baroque alternative ballad featuring rich slash chords, descending basslines, and swirling tape echo feedback mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in A minor / E minor
A natural minor / Aeolian
Notes: A - B - C - D - E - F - G
Application: Frames Thom Yorke's descending acoustic piano and guitar chords in the verse
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Stepwise descending acoustic progression in A minor, resolving into E minor and modulating to B minor in the ethereal bridge.
💡 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 In This Section:
Am
D/F#
Em
G
F
C
Bm
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- Am (i)Melancholic tonic establishing the song's reflective mood
- D/F# (IV6)Major IV chord with inverted F# bass note providing sweet Dorian warmth
- Em (v)Minor dominant smoothing the descent into G
- F (VI)Dark submediant chord locking the progression into natural minor
Key Techniques
Thumb-Over Bass Inversions & Acoustic Dynamics
IntermediateFretting the low F# bass note on the 2nd fret of the 6th string with the thumb while holding an open D triad, creating smooth stepwise bass descent
Uses chords:
Progression:
Am - D/F# - Em - G
Technique Tips:
- •Keep your thumb relaxed when wrapping around the neck—don't squeeze the fretboard
- •In the bridge, Jonny Greenwood generates the space-age roar using a Roland Space Echo pedal driven into self-oscillation
- •Thom Yorke composed this acoustic rhythm bed inspired by The Beatles' 'Sexy Sadie'
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of A minor / E minor. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Acoustic Intro & Verse
Intro Acoustic Walkdown
Thom Yorke's signature acoustic guitar chords with thumb-over D/F# bass movement.
- •Wrap thumb over the neck for the F# bass note
- •Keep the acoustic strumming steady and percussive
- •Mute the 5th (A) string during D/F#
Chorus Lift
Chorus Strummed Hook
The swelling chorus hook moving from C to D, G, F#, and Em.
- •Drive with stronger right-hand strumming
- •Catch the quick passing F# bass note from G to Em
- •Let the low Em rumble with tube resonance
Bridge Outro Climax
Bridge Outro Melody
The sublime outro section 'For a minute there, I lost myself' with delay feedback swell.
- •Arpeggiate the Bm barre chord cleanly
- •Swelling delay repeats into self-oscillation
- •Build dynamic intensity with the full rhythm section
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Under-saddle piezo on acoustic; Lace Sensor Blue/Red on Telecaster Plus
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 3.5 (clean acoustic transparency with warm edge)
Treble: 6
Middle: 6.5
Bass: 5.5
Presence: 5
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Marshall ShredMaster (engaged for heavy chorus swells)
Reverb / Delay:
Large room reverb
Modulation / Other:
Dunlop 0.60mm acoustic plectrum
Recommended Learning Path
Verse Open Chords
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Learn the open chord shapes: Am, Em, G, F, and C
- •Practice steady down-up eighth note strumming at 75 BPM
- •Substitute standard D for D/F# while building finger flexibility
Thumb-Over D/F# & Bridge
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Master wrapping your thumb around the neck to cleanly fret the 2nd fret low E (F#)
- •Learn the B minor barre chord progression in the bridge
- •Play smoothly through the verse, chorus, and bridge without rhythmic hesitation
Electric Texture & Ambient Delay
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Incorporate Jonny Greenwood's electric arpeggios and delay feedback swells
- •Control the dynamic arc from intimate acoustic verse to roaring stadium outro
- •Replicate the authentic OK Computer tape-echo ambiance live
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Muting the high E string accidentally when wrapping the thumb over for D/F#
- •Rushing the relaxed, swaying 75 BPM tempo
- •Playing too aggressively in the verse instead of saving power for the outro
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/4 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 minutes: Thumb-over D/F# chord isolation drill
- 5 minutes: Verse chord transition flow with metronome at 75 BPM
- 5 minutes: Bridge Bm to D and G arpeggio picking
- 5 minutes: Full track playthrough
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Thumb-over fretting comfort
- •Clean string separation on acoustic strumming
- •Dynamic pacing between sections
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Set metronome to 75 BPM with eighth-note clicks
- •Keep the right hand wrist relaxed in constant pendulum motion