Guitar & Bass Tabs
The Knack
About The Knack
The Knack formed in 1978 in Los Angeles when singer Doug Fieger teamed with guitarist Berton Averre, bassist Prescott Niles, and drummer Bruce Gary to fuse 60s-influenced melodies with a punchy late-70s power-pop edge. Their breakout came fast: Get the Knack (1979) topped the Billboard 200 and delivered My Sharona, a No. 1 single on the Hot 100 that became an enduring anthem of the era.
With a string of follow-ups, steadfast touring, and a distinctive guitar-driven sound, The Knack helped crystallize a movement that bridged garage-rock grit with pop hooks. The lineup shifted over the years, with reunions in the 1990s and 2000s, and Doug Fieger's passing in 2010 marked a bittersweet end to the original era. The Knack's legacy endures in the way their songs teach players to balance melody and rhythm with attitude.
🎸 Want to know what gear The Knack used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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My Sharona
The Knack
View Tab →Playing Style
The Knack’s playing blends a tight, hook-filled approach with a garage-rock edge. Berton Averre’s guitar work is built on memorable riffs, punchy power chords, and crisp single-note lines that drive the groove without overwhelming the melody. Rhythm guitar sits tight in the pocket with precise palm-muted chugs and bright, mid-forward tones, while lead lines contrast with punchy fills and melodic hooks. The band relies on solid rhythm playing (think driving eighth-note grooves and call-and-response between guitar and bass) to propel anthemic choruses, making their sound instantly recognizable and great for players focusing on rhythm, taste, and tempo.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
The Knack’s signature tone often rode a bright, biting guitar sound backed by solid amps and careful EQ. Expect a mix of Fender-style clean-to-overdriven tones from Stratocaster- or Telecaster-type guitars, paired with reliable rhythm amps (classic Fender Fender Twin/Reverb-style heads or Marshall-inspired stacks) and a touch of overdrive or fuzz to push crunch on the lead lines. Reverb and compression helped sustain the clean, pop-friendly edge that defines My Sharona’s guitar texture, making their riffs approachable for players building tone control and dynamic sense.
Why Learn The Knack Songs?
Learning The Knack's catalog develops essential rock guitar skills: tight rhythm, catchy riff-writing, and chorus-ready hooks. Songs like My Sharona emphasize precise timing, palm muting, and clean-to-crunch tone shifts, while remaining approachable in terms of chord shapes and fretboard approach. These tunes build solid groove, accurate pick direction, and a confident sense of phrasing—great fundamentals for any guitarist aiming to master classic rock riffing and driving pop-rock grooves.
Did You Know?
- 1My Sharona was inspired by Doug Fieger's real-life girlfriend, Sharona Alperin, and became the band's breakout anthem.
- 2Get the Knack spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and vaulted The Knack into international stardom as one of the era's fastest-selling debut albums.
- 3The Knack played a pivotal role in shaping late-70s power-pop and garage-rock-infused rock, influencing countless guitar-driven acts that followed.
- 4The original lineup featured Doug Fieger (vocals), Berton Averre (lead guitar), Prescott Niles (bass), and Bruce Gary (drums).
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