Learn to Play IDLES “Grounds” & “Mr. Motivator” on Guitar

It’s hard to pin a label on British rock band IDLES. The quintet vehemently denies they are a punk band, despite slinging a cache of songs that swing between angry and socially-aware. However, IDLES might also fit the niche of quirky indie rock and alternative, given their sense of humor and the sheer joy that comes pouring from their instruments into songs.

Label them what you want, but IDLES are nothing less than a breath of fresh air on today’s modern rock music scene, throwing a lot of different genres into a blender and coming up with something new.

As the band gears up for the release of their third studio album, Ultra Mono, IDLES guitarists Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan took some time out to show guitarists how to play two songs off their upcoming album, “Grounds” and “Mr. Motivator.” Both songs are easy for even beginner guitarists to learn and show off just how effective single-note riffs can be and all the fun you can have with effects.

“Grounds,” as described by Bowen is what happens if, “we tried to imagine if Kanye West had written an AC/DC song.” On “Mr. Motivator,” IDLES combines acidic lyrics with a pulsing chorus that feels like Tony Robbins on a bender.

Learn to Play “Grounds” by IDLES on Guitar

Playing the Intro / Bridge to “Grounds” Synth-Style

Using Drop D tuning, Bowen notes that the intro (which doubles as the bridge) on “Grounds” is the part of the song that has the “glitchy, Yeezus” feel to it, along with a dab of Daft Punk. To create a synthesizer-type sound, he uses a delay pedal that works with the start-stop feel.

On “Grounds” bridge, Kiernan’s part complements Bowen’s. He plays lower down the fretboard on the high E string, minus the reverb effect for a plinking sound that gels with the pulsing synth of Bowen’s tone.

Get into Drop D tuning to play “Grounds” with the Fender Tune app.

Play the Verse to “Grounds”

Dubbing this “the AC/DC element of the song,” Bowen breaks down the the guitar verse on “Grounds”. He plays, then bends, a single note, played on a single string, before taking it an octave higher down the neck of the guitar. On the second half of each verse, Bowen works in some reverb, on a different string to serve up a contrast while creating a pulsing beat.

Whereas Bowen plays the A string on the verse, Kiernan takes the low road playing the same note on the down-tuned low E (now in Drop D tuning, as well). In terms of tone, he leans toward a clean, punchy sound with just a dash of reverb.

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Play the Chorus to “Grounds”

The IDLES guitarists both keep things really simple on the chorus, swinging from the 5th fret to 7th fret, then back to an open string. In Drop D tuning, the open string takes on a buzzing twang, giving the chorus a gritty tone. Check out Bowen’s take on the chorus to “Grounds”.

Here is Kiernan’s twist on it.

The Midway Sounds of “Grounds”

Using the pattern from the verse alongside the delay pedal, Bowen creates a simple, synthed-out sequence on the B string. Using a trem-picking technique, Bowen glides down the neck of the guitar while playing an up-down-pattern ultra fast, resulting in a sound that builds to a feverish crescendo.

By contrast, Lee Kiernan takes a slower, more bass-heavy approach to the midway, confining things to the dropped D string for a buzzing glide between a small parcel of fretboard real estate on a single string.

Play the Outro to “Grounds”

Bowen takes listeners home by keeping it simple. Real simple. The outro consists of plunking the low E in Drop D tuning four times. The sweet reverb combined with the buzzing tone of the lowest string dropped a full note gives it a thunderous metal feel.

In the interest of keeping things equally simple and mirroring the other’s playing, Kiernan’s version of the outro, he uses the fuzzy chorus tone before switching to a “clean-ish” tone on the E in Drop D.

Watch the full Artist Check-in video of Bowen and Kiernan teaching “Grounds” here.

Check out the “Must Know Rock Riffs” Collection in Fender Play for the quintessential list of rock riffs on guitar.

Learn to Play “Mr. Motivator” by IDLES on Guitar

Play the Intro to “Mr. Motivator”

Whereas “Grounds” used Drop D tuning, “Mr. Motivator” has both IDLES guitarists playing the song in standard tuning. Bowen’s intro part on “Mr. Motivator” kicks off on the 9th fret of the G string, giving the notes a high-pitched tone. Technique is key on the intro, relying on creating a vibrato effect by bending the note along the fretboard and quick strumming in an “up-down” pattern.

Lee Kiernan’s parts on the info rely on a custom pedalboard setup. In terms of technique, he “stabs” the 9th fret on the E string, playing the string with a hard downstroke and muting it with his palm continuously.

Play the Verse / Middle 8 to “Mr. Motivator”

Using a pedal to create the unique tone, Bowen’s take on “Mr. Motivator”’s verse involves playing a series of downstrokes on the 8th and 9th frets of the low E string to create a thudding, chugging riff. Beginner guitarists can expect a serious forearm workout playing downstrokes at the rapid-fire pace of “Mr. Motivator.”

On the middle 8, Lee Kiernan waits awhile before chiming in later by mirroring Bowen’s pattern with fingers on the 15th fret of the A string and 17th fret of the G string. Again, speed is the name of the game when playing these strings with heavy downstrokes.

Play the Chorus to “Mr. Motivator

On the chorus, Bowen alternates between playing the 9th fret and open position on the low E string. It’s all about the timing and downstrokes!

Prepare to stretch your fingers to play Lee’s parts on “Mr. Motivator’s chorus. He chugs out a bright-sounding chord made up of a span across the 9th fret of the low E string, 11th fret of the A string, and the 10th fret of the G string. From there, Kiernan takes the action further up the fretboard, back to the 2nd frets of the A and strings for a clanging power chord. Bending the strings towards the end of the chord progressions give it a twisted tone.

Watch the full Artist Check-in video of Bowen and Kiernan teaching “Mr. Motivator” here.

What Guitars & Gear Do IDLES Use?

Avowed Fender fans for years, both Bowen and Kiernan favor models that combine a thick, meaty sound and wail with nonconformity. Bowen’s natural finish Fender Player Mustang® 90 is ideal for achieving that dirty, garage rock sound, giving flexibility of tone. He used this guitar to play on Ultra Mono and its lead track, “Grounds.” The hardtail bridge offers increased sustain, while the shorter scale makes it easier to run up and down the neck for easy play.

Kiernan uses a custom Fender Telecaster in gold sparkle with a single pickup, working with the Fender Tonemaster® Deluxe Reverb® amp. Both Kiernan and Bowen favor the lightweight amp that packs a punch. The amp’s line out is a “godsend” for people who live in apartments or smaller areas where there may be noise restrictions. In addition to being portable and creating some sick, customizable reverb, it also allows you to tinker with your tone without fear of neighbors pounding on your door.

Stay tuned to Fender Play’s YouTube channel to learn to play IDLES “Grounds” and many more songs. Want to learn more songs and guitar techniques?

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