Practice Studio

Red Hot Chili Peppers - By The Way - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key F major
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.

Capo Advisor 0 F major · Original key

About By The Way


By The Way is a signature Red Hot Chili Peppers track that showcases their energetic funk-rock style. The song features dynamic rhythm guitar work and engaging riffs that make it a rewarding choice for electric guitar players looking to develop their technique across both lead and rhythm parts.

  • The track demonstrates the interplay between rhythm and lead guitar typical of the band's style.
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers are known for blending funk grooves with rock intensity in their compositions.
  • Learning this song builds skills in both percussive rhythm playing and melodic lead guitar techniques.

How to Play By The Way

Tuning: E Standard · Key: F major · Tempo: 128 BPM

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 128 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Fender Stratocaster
Guitar

Fender Stratocaster

Frusciante's cornerstone instrument since Blood Sugar Sex Magik, its vintage single-coils deliver the bright, articulate snap and touch sensitivity that define RHCP's funky rhythm tone and soulful leads.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Frusciante's '60s Teles provide warmer, woodier tones than his Strats while maintaining the single-coil clarity essential for RHCP's clean, dynamic playing style across different albums.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Used selectively for heavier RHCP tracks, the Les Paul's thicker PAF humbuckers deliver the midrange punch and sustain that contrast with Frusciante's signature Strat-driven sound.

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

Like the Standard, this guitar adds warmth and aggression to darker RHCP material, offering the tonal heft Frusciante needs when stepping beyond his primary single-coil aesthetic.

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Pedal

Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi

This fuzz pedal thickens Frusciante's tone beyond his signature DS-2 distortion, adding creamy sustain and aggressive character to select RHCP passages and heavier moments.

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay
Pedal

MXR Carbon Copy Analog Delay

Frusciante uses this analog delay for slapback repeats and textural depth, adding space and dimension to RHCP's rhythmic foundation without overwhelming the band's tight, groove-focused sound.