What's My Scene
by Hoodoo Gurus
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
IntermediateWhy "What's My Scene" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give Hoodoo Gurus's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Jangly Diatonic I - V - IV Power Pop Hook with a Relative Minor Pre-Chorus Launchpad
The euphoric rush of the chorus (E - B - A - B) relies on open-string guitar resonance and crisp diatonic simplicity. What elevates the song is the pre-chorus detour into the relative minor (C#m - A - C#m - A) followed by an urgent drum-and-guitar crescendo on B, propelling the singalong chorus with maximum contrast and momentum.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I - V - IV - VStep-by-Step Movement
- •E (I): The muscular, ringing open guitar tonic providing pure power-pop punch.
- •B (V): Dominant pillar maintaining driving forward propulsion.
- •A (IV): Subdominant breath providing warm, relaxed vocal space.
- •B (V): Turnaround dominant launching the cycle repeatedly.
- •C#m (vi in pre-chorus): Relative minor detour adding melodic urgency.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›Brad Shepherd’s intro riff plays high double stops at frets 9 and 7 while letting the open high E string ring out continuously as an unshifting pedal point.
- ›The pre-chorus switches to a minor feel (C#m - A) to lower the energy before an ascending build on B explodes into the chorus.
- ›The guitar solo features an ascending scalar walkup (F#m → G#m → A → B), physically climbing up the neck to raise adrenaline.
Fretboard Mechanics
Keep your fret-hand fingers arched in the intro so the high E string rings open. In the verses, use tight right-hand palm muting across the lower strings to make the unmuted chorus sound colossal.
A timeless power-pop anthem doesn’t require complex jazz harmony—it requires unforgettable melodic double stops, ringing open strings, and an explosive dynamic drop into the pre-chorus.
The diatonic foundation for the vocal hooks and driving rhythm.
The bright scale driving the intro double-stop riff and melodic fills.
The primary mode delivering the energetic Australian pub-rock swagger.
Open E, B, and A chords delivering maximum ringing power-pop sustain.
C#m and F#m chords providing narrative contrast in the pre-chorus.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding E major:
E major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Major (Ionian) with classic power-pop blues inflections mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Diatonic chord progressions and uplifting Australian power-pop vocal harmonies
Brad Shepherd's bright, jangly intro hook and melodic lead fills
Gritty blues-rock edge and string bends in the guitar solo
The harmonic character shaping E major
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E major
E Major Scale (Ionian)
Notes: E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E
Application: Diatonic chord progressions and uplifting Australian power-pop vocal harmonies
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Driving power-pop anthem progression featuring open string resonance and punchy transitions
💡 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:
E
B
A
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- E provides the muscular, ringing guitar tonic centered around open chord resonance
- B acts as the dominant V chord driving momentum into the subdominant A
- C#m in the pre-chorus introduces relative minor depth before resolving forward
- Ascending chord climb (F#m -> G#m -> A -> B) creates an irresistible melodic lift into the climax
Key Techniques
Jangly Arpeggiated Double-Stops & Open Strings
IntermediateBrad Shepherd's signature opening riff, using 1st and 2nd string double stops while letting the open B and high E strings ring out with power-pop chime.
Uses chords:
Progression:
I - V - IV - V
Technique Tips:
- •Keep fret-hand fingers curled to avoid brushing against ringing open strings
- •Use a bright bridge pickup setting with moderate gain to preserve string definition
- •Lock into the upbeat accents with the drummer's hi-hat pattern
Pumping Eighth-Note Palm Muting & Power Pop Drive
IntermediateTight, punchy rhythm guitar playing root-5th power chords with right-hand palm muting across the lower strings at 124 BPM.
Uses chords:
Progression:
I - V - IV - V
Technique Tips:
- •Do not press too hard with the palm or the notes will go sharp
- •Keep wrist loose and relaxed to avoid fatigue at 124 BPM
- •Emphasize the punchy kick-snare coordination in the band mix
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Jangly Open String Intro Hook
Iconic Jangly Intro Hook
The instantly recognizable Australian rock guitar hook, sparkling with ringing open strings and rhythmic double stops.
- •Play high double stops on the G and B strings at the 9th fret
- •Let open high E ring out as a pedal point
- •Establishes the infectious, upbeat Australian power-pop groove
Chugging Power Pop Verse
Tight Verse Rhythm Chug
Dave Faulkner's narrative vocals enter over tight, driving rhythm guitar chugging on eighth notes.
- •Tight right-hand palm muting across the lower strings
- •Accents on beats 2 and 4 driving the groove forward
- •Open up the mute into the last beat of each phrase for a dynamic lift
Pre-Chorus Dynamic Build
Pre-Chorus Minor Tension Build
Tension builds as the progression moves to C#m, alternating with A before a driving drum and guitar build on B.
- •Barre chord C#m (4th fret A string) with full, ringing arpeggios
- •The shift to minor creates emotional vulnerability before the anthemic chorus
- •Crescendo on the B major chord building energy into the hook
Explosive Singalong Chorus
Anthem Chorus Strumming Pattern
The song explodes into the immortal Australian anthem chorus with roaring open chords and lead fills.
- •Full unmuted power strumming with wide pick swings
- •Lead guitar doubles the vocal hook with tasty pentatonic fills
- •Ringing open strings give that quintessential 1980s Aussie pub-rock authority
Brad Shepherd Melodic Lead Solo
Brad Shepherd Guitar Solo Study
Brad Shepherd's energetic guitar solo, combining melodic pop hooks with gritty garage-rock bends and an ascending diatonic chord walkup.
- •Solo starts over the IV chord (A major) giving it immediate freshness
- •E major pentatonic runs centered around the 9th and 12th frets
- •Scalar walkup (F#m -> G#m -> A -> B) escalates the pitch and excitement into the final chorus
High-Energy Outro Jam & Final Chords
Outro Jam & Staccato Cadence
Double choruses, energetic lead guitar commentary, and crisp staccato hits driving to an exuberant finish.
- •Ad-lib lead licks dancing around the repeating E - B - A - B progression
- •Band locks into staccato power accents on the final turnaround
- •Ends on a ringing, triumphant open E major chord
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Bridge P-90 or single-coil for biting chime, midrange bark, and garage-rock cut
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 6.5
Treble: 7.0
Middle: 6.0
Bass: 5.5
Presence: 6.5
Alternative Amps:
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
ProCo Rat or Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive for punchy crunch
Reverb / Delay:
Short plate or spring reverb (level 3.5)
Modulation / Other:
Boss CE-2 Chorus for subtle 80s jangly shimmer on clean and arpeggiated tracks
Recommended Learning Path
Open Chords & Steady 124 BPM Strumming
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Master the E, B, and A open and power chord grips
- •Practice transitioning cleanly between E and B without hesitation
- •Play through the verse groove using steady downstrokes at 100 BPM
- •Work up to recording tempo (124 BPM) with a metronome
The Jangly Intro Riff & Pre-Chorus Build
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Learn the high double-stop shapes on the G and B strings for the intro hook
- •Coordinate the ringing open high E string pedal note
- •Master the C#m to A barre chord transitions in the pre-chorus
- •Work on palm muting control during the verses
The Brad Shepherd Solo & Full Live Performance
⏱️ 2-4 weeks
- •Execute Brad Shepherd's melodic guitar solo with full dynamic bite
- •Play the ascending scalar chord walkup (F#m - G#m - A - B) cleanly
- •Combine vocal cadence cues with driving rhythm guitar
- •Replicate authentic Aussie pub-rock crunch and attitude
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Muting the ringing open strings in the intro riff by not arching the fretting fingers
- •Pushing the tempo too fast—124 BPM is a bouncy, driving groove, not a frantic thrash pace
- •Losing palm-mute consistency during the verse when transitioning between strings 6 and 5
- •Stumbling on the ascending scalar chord walkup (F#m -> G#m -> A -> B) before the solo climax
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/5 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 mins: Alternate picking warm-up across strings 1, 2, and 3
- 10 mins: Slow precision practice on the intro double-stop riff at 90 BPM
- 10 mins: Palm-muted rhythm endurance drills on E5, B5, and A5 at 124 BPM
- 15 mins: Practicing Brad Shepherd's solo and the ascending scalar walkup
- 10 mins: Full performance run-through with complete dynamic contrasts
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Clean double-stop intonation and ringing open string pedal points
- •Palm muting dynamics between verses and roaring chorus strums
- •Quick position shifting during the pre-chorus and guitar solo
- •Locking into the tight snare backbeat with the rhythm section
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Practice intro riff at 100 BPM with click on all four beats
- •Increase to 124 BPM focusing on effortless right-hand stamina
- •Drill the ascending pre-solo walkup with quarter-note clicks to ensure rock-solid timing