What "Do You Feel Like We Do" is and where to find tabs
"Do You Feel Like We Do" is a Peter Frampton song from 1975, built around a straightforward but memorable riff that sits well under a beginner's fingers. The song appears on his album Frampton Comes Alive! and is one of the most-tabbed rock songs online because the main riff repeats throughout most of the track.
You can find tabs for this song on Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, Songsterr, and Tab.com. Most versions show the riff in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string), and the tabs usually mark which fret and which string to play. If you search "Do You Feel Like We Do tab" on any of those sites, you will see multiple versions—some simplified for beginners, some with the full arrangement including solos.
The reason you see so many versions is that different players have transcribed the song differently, and some tabs are more accurate than others. Start with a version that has a high rating or many comments, because that usually means other players have checked it and corrected mistakes.
Key Takeaways
- The main riff uses only a few frets on the lower strings and repeats throughout the song, making it a good learning piece for intermediate beginners.
- Most tabs show the riff in standard tuning, and you can find them on Ultimate Guitar, Songsterr, Tab.com, and similar tab sites.
- The song's structure is straightforward: the riff plays during verses, a chord progression appears in the chorus, and a longer solo section comes later.
- Listening to the original recording while reading the tab helps you match the rhythm and tempo, which is harder to see in tab notation alone.
The main riff and how it's written in tab notation
The opening riff of "Do You Feel Like We Do" is played on the lower strings and uses a mix of single notes and small chord shapes. In tab notation, you will see numbers on six horizontal lines (representing the six strings), and each number tells you which fret to press on that string. The lowest line is the low E string (the thickest string), and the top line is the high E string (the thinnest).
The riff typically starts on the low E string and moves between the E and A strings, with some notes on the D string mixed in. Most tabs show the riff in a way that makes it clear which notes come next, and the spacing on the page roughly matches the timing of the notes. If you see numbers stacked vertically, those notes play at the same time (a chord). If they are spread across the page horizontally, you play them one after another.
When you first look at a tab, count the beats as you read across. The song is in 4/4 time, which means four beats per measure. Listening to the original song while you read the tab will help you understand the rhythm much faster than reading the tab alone, because tab notation does not always show timing clearly.
Tuning and string setup before you start
Make sure your guitar is in standard tuning before you begin. Standard tuning from lowest to highest string is E-A-D-G-B-E. You can tune by ear if you have a good ear, but a tuner (digital or clip-on) is much faster and more accurate. Most tabs for this song assume standard tuning, so if your guitar is tuned differently, the fret numbers will be wrong.
Once your guitar is tuned, play each open string (without pressing any frets) and listen to make sure it matches the tuner or a reference note. If even one string is off, the riff will sound wrong even if you play the right frets. A clip-on tuner costs between $10 and $30 and is worth the investment if you plan to play more than one song.
Breaking down the verse riff into smaller pieces
Rather than trying to play the entire riff at once, learn it in small sections. Most tabs divide the riff into measures (usually marked with vertical lines), and each measure is one beat of four counts. Start with the first measure or two, play it slowly until your fingers know where to go, then add the next section.
Use a metronome or a metronome app to keep steady time. Start at a slow tempo—around 60 beats per minute—and play the section over and over until you can do it without thinking. Once it feels natural, increase the tempo by 5 or 10 beats per minute and repeat. This method takes longer than trying to play at full speed, but you will learn the riff correctly and remember it better.
Pay attention to which fingers you use on each fret. Most players use their index finger for lower frets and their middle or ring finger for higher ones, but there is no single right way. Find a finger position that lets you move smoothly from one note to the next without your hand cramping.
Chord shapes in the chorus and bridge sections
After the riff repeats a few times, the song moves into a chorus with a chord progression. The tabs will show these as chord names (like G, D, A) or as diagrams showing which frets to press on each string. The chorus is usually simpler than the riff—often just strumming the same chords while the vocals carry the melody.
If the tab shows a chord diagram (a small grid with dots and numbers), the dots show you where to press your fingers, and the numbers tell you which frets. The vertical lines are the strings, and the horizontal lines are the frets. If a string has an X above it, you do not play that string. If it has an O, you play that string open (without pressing any fret).
The bridge section of the song often features a longer guitar solo. Many tabs show this solo in detail, but you do not have to learn it to play the song. If you want to learn the solo, treat it the same way you treated the main riff: break it into small sections, use a metronome, and play slowly until it becomes automatic.
Matching the tab to the original recording
The most important step is to listen to the original Peter Frampton recording while you read the tab. The tab shows you which notes to play, but it does not always show the exact rhythm or timing. By listening, you hear when each note should come in and how long it should ring out. This is especially important for the riff, which has a specific groove that is hard to understand from the tab alone.
Play the recording on a phone, computer, or music player, and follow along with the tab. Pause and rewind as needed. You will start to recognize the pattern of the riff by ear, and your fingers will learn the timing faster. After a few run-throughs, you should be able to play the riff without the recording, though listening while you practice is always helpful.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is playing too fast too soon. The riff sounds straightforward, but if you rush it, your fingers will stumble and you will have to start over. Slow practice is faster practice in the long run. Another mistake is not listening to the original song. Tabs are a visual guide, but your ears are your best teacher.
A third mistake is using the wrong tab. If you read a tab and it does not sound right even after you practice it slowly, try a different version from a different site. Some tabs are transcribed incorrectly, and it is not worth spending hours on a bad tab when a better one is available.
Finally, do not skip tuning. A guitar that is even slightly out of tune will sound wrong no matter how well you play, and you will doubt yourself even though the problem is the tuning, not your playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the tab I found does not match the recording?
Try a different tab from another site. Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr both have multiple versions of the same song, and you can compare them. Read the comments on each tab—other players often point out if a tab is wrong. If you find a tab with many positive comments and a high rating, it is more likely to be accurate.
Do I need to learn the guitar solo to play this song?
No. The main riff and the chord progression in the chorus are the core of the song. The solo is longer and more difficult, and you can skip it if you just want to play the song. Many players learn the riff and chorus first, then add the solo later if they want to.
How long does it usually take to learn this riff?
If you practice 15 to 20 minutes a day, most players can learn the basic riff in one to two weeks. The exact time depends on your experience level and how much you practice. Beginners may take longer, and players with more experience may learn it faster.
What if I cannot find a tab that looks right?
Try searching for "Do You Feel Like We Do Peter Frampton tab" with the artist name included. You can also search on YouTube for tutorial videos where someone plays the song and explains the riff step by step. Video tutorials often show hand position and timing more clearly than tabs alone.
Should I use a pick or my fingers to play the riff?
Most players use a pick for this riff because it is faster and gives a cleaner sound. A standard guitar pick works fine. If you prefer fingerstyle, you can use your thumb and fingers, but a pick is easier for beginners and sounds closer to the original recording.