This Karma Police guitar lesson breaks down one of Radiohead’s most iconic tracks from their groundbreaking album OK Computer. What makes this song so rewarding to play is the combination of beautiful, melancholic chord progressions and the subtle complexity that defines Radiohead’s sound. You’ll work with some challenging chord shapes and transitions that will push your skills forward, while the haunting melody makes every practice session feel musical rather than mechanical. The song sits perfectly in that intermediate sweet spot where it’s accessible enough to tackle but sophisticated enough to keep you engaged.
The Story Behind Karma Police
Recorded at Jane Seymour’s 15th-century mansion in Bath, England, Karma Police emerged from Radiohead’s experimental OK Computer sessions in 1997. Thom Yorke wrote the lyrics as a response to the stress and pressure the band felt during their rise to fame, with the title coming from an inside joke where band members would threaten to call the “karma police” on people who annoyed them.
Ed O’Brien’s guitar work on this track showcases his mastery of space and texture. Rather than filling every moment with notes, he creates atmosphere through careful chord voicings and restrained playing. The song became one of their biggest hits, reaching the top 10 in multiple countries and cementing Radiohead’s reputation as innovators who could balance experimental sounds with accessible songwriting.
What You’ll Learn
- Complex barre chord transitions including Am, Em, G, C, and D variations
- Fingerpicking patterns that create the song’s distinctive arpeggiated feel
- How to use capo placement effectively to match the original key
- Dynamics and restraint in strumming to capture the song’s moody atmosphere
- Chord voicing techniques that create Radiohead’s signature sound
- Timing and rhythm changes between the verse and chorus sections
Chord Progression Breakdown
The verse progression centers around Am – Em – G – C – D, but the magic happens in how you voice these chords. Start with a standard A minor barre chord at the 5th fret, but pay attention to how cleanly you can transition to the E minor. Your first finger stays planted while your other fingers shift, so practice this movement slowly until it becomes automatic.
The G chord works best as a full barre at the 3rd fret rather than the open position. This keeps your hand in a consistent area of the neck and maintains the darker tonal quality that defines the song. When moving to the C chord, use the 3rd fret version as well. The key is keeping your transitions smooth without any dead space between chords.
The D chord presents the biggest challenge in this progression. You’ll want to use a full barre at the 5th fret, which means your hand needs to jump back up the neck. Practice this G to D transition repeatedly, as it’s where most players stumble. Focus on lifting your fretting hand just enough to move cleanly without losing contact with the strings entirely.
During the chorus, the progression shifts to G – D – C, which flows more naturally once you’ve mastered the individual chord shapes. The rhythm becomes more driving here, so your strumming needs to match that energy while maintaining the song’s overall restraint.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
Karma Police sits in 4/4 time, but the strumming pattern has a distinctive lilt that comes from emphasizing off-beats. Start with a basic down-up pattern, but accent the second and fourth beats more strongly. Think “one-and-TWO-and-three-and-FOUR-and” where the capitalized beats get extra emphasis.
The verse sections benefit from a lighter touch. You’re not trying to drive the rhythm hard, but rather create a foundation for the vocal melody. Use the fleshy part of your thumb or a very light pick attack. This creates the gentle, floating quality that makes the song feel dreamy rather than aggressive.
During the “this is what you’ll get” section, the strumming becomes more insistent. Switch to all downstrokes with more attack, but resist the urge to rush. The power comes from the intensity of your strumming, not from speeding up the tempo. Count along with a metronome if you find yourself pushing the pace.
Tips for Playing This Song
Use a capo on the 7th fret to match the original key. This brings the song up to the right pitch and makes some of the chord transitions more manageable. The higher position also gives you that brighter, more chiming tone that characterizes the recording.
Focus on your muting technique between chord changes. The spaces between chords are just as important as the chords themselves in creating the song’s atmosphere. Practice lifting your fretting hand slightly to stop the strings from ringing, but keep your strumming hand moving to maintain the rhythm.
Work on the song in sections rather than trying to play it through. Master the verse progression first, then add the chorus, and finally work on the transitions between sections. This approach prevents you from developing bad habits that are harder to fix later.
Pay attention to your dynamics throughout the song. Karma Police builds and releases tension through volume and intensity changes rather than dramatic tempo shifts. Practice playing the quiet sections genuinely quietly, so the louder parts have more impact when they arrive.
This song rewards patience and attention to detail more than flashy technique. Take your time with the chord transitions and focus on making each change clean and musical. Work along with the video lesson to nail the timing and feel, and you’ll have one of alternative rock’s greatest songs in your repertoire.