Can I Get A Witness | Guitar Lesson – Step 2 (FREE)

Let’s work out how to play the main riff. There are five examples to go through, using TAB and play-along loops to guide you!

Can I Get A Witness TAB | The Main Riff

As I mention in the video, begin by working through each example one at a time—don’t rush ahead. Once you’ve got the feel for them, start improvising your own versions.

Here’s a loop you can practise this Eb riff over. Use this along with the TAB loops in the playlist above.

Example 1: C shape (Eb) – G shape (Ab) – C shape (Db)

The first version uses a C shape for the Eb chord, a G shape for the Ab, and a C shape again for the Db.

You could have chosen a D shape for the Eb, but when using strings 2–4, that would have left out the 3rd of the chord. Borrowing a C shape instead sounds more complete.

Here’s the TAB:

Can I Get A Witness chords and TAB, main riff example 1.

Example 2: C shape (Eb) – E shape (Ab) – A shape (Db)

This version keeps the C shape for Eb but moves the other chords up a shape:

Ab becomes an E shape
Db becomes an A shape

This is arguably the best-sounding and most practical way to play the riff.

Can I Get A Witness chords and TAB, main riff example 2.

Example 3: A shape (Eb) – D shape (Ab) – E shape (Db)

Here, the riff is played entirely on strings 1–3:

Eb uses an A shape
Ab a D shape
Db should have been a G shape, but an E shape was chosen instead—because it sounds better

This illustrates why it’s important to try different options and trust your own taste. Maybe you’ll prefer the G shape. Only one way to find out—try it.

Can I Get A Witness chords and TAB, main riff example 3.

Example 4: G shape (Eb) – C shape (Ab) – E shape (Db)

Now the riff moves to strings 2–4:

Eb begins with a G shape
Ab a C shape
Db (still) an E shape, but this time from the lower part of the shape

Can I Get A Witness chords and TAB, main riff example 4.

Example 5: E shape (Eb) – A shape (Ab) – C shape (Db)

Lastly:

Eb is played with an E shape
Ab with an A shape
Db with a C shape

Here again, we skip the more obvious D shape for the Db, as it lacks the 3rd when played across strings 2–4. Instead, we “borrowed” a C shape—which sounds far better.

Can I Get A Witness chords and TAB, main riff example 5.

Understanding the Progression and Practice Goal

All these chords move in perfect 4ths:

Eb to Ab = a 4th (chord I – IV)
Ab to Db = a 4th (chord IV – bVIIx)

Once you can play through all five examples confidently, begin to improvise the riff all over the neck.

Use your ear and taste to choose chord shapes that sound right to you. That’s how you develop a real sense of the fretboard—and how to adapt your playing to the song.

Next time, we’ll explore sus4 chords, which are essential to fully capturing the feel of this riff.

Can I Get A Witness Guitar Lesson | Related Pages

Intermediate Electric Course

When playing Motown & Soul tunes, we must know all CAGED barre chords and pentatonic scales to build rhythm parts, incorporate licks and play solos.

Complete the Intermediate Electric Course and you will map out the fretboard, as well as gain an understanding of how to create a guitar part that works in a band.

Can I Get A Witness | 8 Step-by-step guitar lessons

The chord changes of Can I Get A Witness are very fast, to play these comfortably, we must practice each section on a loop in every area of the neck.

Only by being this methodical can we play the complete song in an improvised way with the band in the final step.

Can I Get A Witness | Chords + Lyrics

You can learn how to play Can I Get A Witness by Marvin Gaye using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, TAB, backing tracks, the original recording, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.

Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play Can I Get A Witness' chords, try these five tunes from the songbook.