Do It Again

The recording

Released as the opening track of Steely Dan's 1972 debut album, Can't Buy a Thrill, Do It Again emerged as the band's first hit with a sound heavily influenced by Latin percussion and a dark, bossa-nova-inflected shuffle. The track was recorded at The Village in Los Angeles, where the studio team sought to capture a distinct, droning sitar texture. Denny Dias performed the lead solo using a rental instrument he personally disliked, having been asked by Donald Fagen to capture an Eastern-inspired sound. His improvisational approach and jazz-inflected phrasing over the song's harmonic structure became the recording's definitive guitar signature.

Tuning Standard tuning (G minor context)

Original gear

Coral Electric Sitar

Guitar · Denny Dias · Solo

Denny Dias played this rental instrument, which utilized a bridge designed to emulate a sitar, to perform the song's iconic lead solo.

Alternatives

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Maintain a steady, swinging right-hand strumming motion to capture the bossa-nova feel.
2. 2.Use a sharp, plucking attack on the solo to bring out the distinctive sitar-like buzz.
3. 3.Focus on jazz-inflected phrasing and smooth pentatonic runs during the solo section.
4. 4.Keep the groove locked tightly with the electric piano and Latin percussion.