The easiest places to find this tab online

"Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz is one of the most-tabbed songs on the internet because the riff is iconic and learnable. You will find accurate versions on Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, and Songsterr — all free, no account required to view.

Ultimate Guitar has multiple versions submitted by different users, so you can compare difficulty levels and see which one matches your skill. Scroll through the tabs there and look for ones with high ratings (the star count at the top) because those have been checked by other players. Chordify works differently — it pulls chords and tabs directly from the YouTube video of the song, so you can play along with the original recording at any speed you want.

Songsterr is the best choice if you want to see the tab on a musical staff instead of ASCII text, and it lets you slow down the playback without changing the pitch. This matters for the opening riff, which sits on the lower strings and moves fast.

Key Takeaways

  • Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, and Songsterr all host free tabs for this song with no login needed to view them.
  • The main riff uses the low E and A strings and repeats a straightforward two-note pattern that is easier than it sounds once you get the timing right.
  • Tabs show fret numbers on six horizontal lines (one for each string), with the lowest line representing the low E string.
  • The song is in standard tuning, so you do not need to retune your guitar before you start.
  • Slowing down the playback on Songsterr or YouTube helps you hear where each note lands, especially the syncopated rhythm in the verses.

What the tab notation means

Guitar tabs use six horizontal lines stacked on top of each other, one for each string. The bottom line is the low E string (the thickest one), and the top line is the high e string (the thinnest one). Numbers on those lines tell you which fret to press.

For "Are You Gonna Go My Way," the opening riff sits mostly on the low E and A strings. You will see numbers like 3, 5, 7, and 8 on those bottom two lines. A 3 means press the third fret; a 5 means the fifth fret. When two numbers are stacked vertically, play them at the same time. When they are side by side, play them one after the other.

Dashes (—) represent open strings or silence, depending on context. A dash with no number means either an open string or a rest. The tab itself does not always make this clear, which is why watching a video of someone playing it helps you hear the rhythm.

How to learn the main riff step by step

Start by playing the low E string open (no fret pressed). Then move to the third fret on the low E string. The riff alternates between these two notes in a specific rhythm. Once you can play that without looking, add the A string notes — usually the fifth fret. The pattern repeats, so once you nail the first four notes, you have the skeleton of the whole thing.

The hardest part is not the frets — it is the timing. The riff is syncopated, meaning the notes do not land on the beat in the way you might expect. Use a metronome or the YouTube video slowed down to half speed. Play along with the slow version until the rhythm feels natural, then gradually speed it up. This takes longer than learning where your fingers go, but it is the only way to make it sound right.

Once the riff is solid, the verse chords are straightforward — mostly power chords on the low strings. The chorus adds a few more chord shapes, but nothing outside the range of a beginner who can already play barre chords.

Why different tabs show different versions

Multiple people have tabbed this song, and some versions are more complete than others. Some tabs show only the main riff and the basic chord progression. Others include the bass line, the exact rhythm notation, and variations that Lenny Kravitz plays live.

If you are learning for the first time, start with a straightforward version that shows the riff and the verse chords. Once you can play those, you can move to a more detailed tab if you want to add fills or match the studio recording more closely. Check the comments section on Ultimate Guitar — other players often point out mistakes or clarifications in the tab itself.

Tuning and gear considerations

The song is in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e from lowest to highest string), so you do not need to change anything on your guitar. Any electric guitar works, though the original was played on a Stratocaster. The tone comes from the amp and effects, not the guitar itself, so do not worry about matching the exact gear.

If you are using an acoustic guitar, the riff will sound thinner because acoustics have less sustain and punch on the low strings. Electric is better for this song, but acoustic will teach you the frets and rhythm just fine.

Common mistakes when learning this tab

The biggest mistake is playing the riff too fast before you have the timing locked in. The song is not that fast — it just feels fast because the rhythm is tight. Slow it down. Every single player who learns this song struggles with the syncopation at first, and that is normal.

The second mistake is not muting the strings between notes. The original recording has clean separation between each note, which means the strings are muted (either by lifting your fingers slightly or by using your palm). If your tab sounds muddy, add muting. Watch a video of someone playing it to hear the difference.

The third mistake is assuming the tab is always correct. If something sounds wrong when you play it, check a video. Sometimes a tab has a typo, and sometimes you are reading it right but playing it at the wrong speed or with the wrong muting.

Moving beyond the tab to improvise

Once you can play the riff cleanly, the next step is understanding what key it is in and what scale fits. "Are You Gonna Go My Way" is in E minor, which means the E minor pentatonic scale works for solos and fills. This opens up the ability to add your own variations or play along with backing tracks.

The riff itself is built from the E minor pentatonic, so learning that scale on the low strings will show you why the tab works the way it does. From there, you can experiment with bends, slides, and hammer-ons to add texture to the basic riff.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the tab I find does not sound right when I play it?

Check the tuning of your guitar first — even one string slightly flat will make the tab sound wrong. Then watch a video of someone playing the song and compare the rhythm and muting. Some tabs are incomplete or have typos. If multiple sources show the same frets but it still sounds off, the problem is usually timing or muting, not the fret numbers.

Can I learn this song on acoustic guitar?

Yes. The frets and chords are the same on acoustic. The tone will be different because acoustic strings have less sustain and the body resonates differently, but the tab itself transfers directly. Electric is better for matching the original sound, but acoustic works for learning.

How long does it usually take to learn this riff?

If you already play guitar, the frets take a few days to a week. The rhythm and muting take longer — usually two to four weeks of regular practice before it sounds tight. Do not rush the timing part; that is what separates a sloppy version from one that sounds like the original.

Do I need to use a pick or can I use my fingers?

A pick is standard for this riff and gives you the attack and clarity the song needs. Fingers can work but will sound softer and less defined. Start with a pick — a medium thickness (0.73mm to 0.96mm) works well for this style.

Where do I find tabs that show the bass line too?

Ultimate Guitar sometimes has versions that include both guitar and bass tabs in the same file. Songsterr also shows multiple instruments if the tab was submitted that way. Search for "Are You Gonna Go My Way bass tab" separately if you want the bass line on its own.