1. How to Play Come As You Are Nirvana On Guitar

Come As You Are Nirvana On Guitar

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Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” is a grunge anthem that is both simple and iconic. The song’s main riff is based on a power chord progression, and the lyrics are about embracing your true self. In this article, we’ll show you how to play “Come As You Are” on guitar.

To start, you’ll need to tune your guitar to E standard tuning. Once your guitar is in tune, you can start practicing the main riff. The riff is based on a power chord progression, which means that you’ll be playing two notes at a time. The power chords used in the riff are D5, A5, and G5. To play a power chord, simply barre the top two strings with your index finger and strum the bottom four strings.

Once you have the main riff down, you can start practicing the rest of the song. The verse section is played using the same power chord progression as the riff, but the strumming pattern is different. In the verse, you’ll be strumming down on the beat and up on the offbeat. The chorus section is played using a different chord progression, which includes the chords C5, G5, and D5. The strumming pattern in the chorus is also different, so be sure to practice it carefully.

Tuning Your Guitar

To play “Come As You Are” by Nirvana on guitar, you’ll need to tune your guitar to the following tuning:

Standard Tuning

String	Note
6	E
5	A
4	D
3	G
2	B
1	E

Here are the steps to tune your guitar to standard tuning:

Use a guitar tuner or tuning app to find the correct pitch for the 6th string (low E).
Pluck the 5th string and adjust the tuning peg until it sounds in tune with the 6th string (A).
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the remaining strings (4th string: D, 3rd string: G, 2nd string: B, 1st string: E).
Once all the strings are in tune, you can play the “Come As You Are” riff.

Understanding the Basic Chords

Playing “Come As You Are” on guitar requires a solid understanding of the following basic chords:

Chords Used

Chord	Finger Position
Em	022000
Am	x02210
C	x32010
G	320003
D	xx0232

These chords form the backbone of the song and provide its distinct melodic progression. Each chord is played with specific finger positions on the guitar neck, as indicated in the table. Understanding these fingerings is crucial for accurately playing the song.

Mastering the Fingerpicking Pattern

The fingerpicking pattern in “Come As You Are” is the backbone of the song. To master it, follow these steps:

Practice the individual movements: Start by practicing the thumb, index, and middle finger movements separately. Focus on getting a clean and consistent sound.
Connect the movements: Once you’re comfortable with the individual movements, start connecting them into the full pattern. Practice slowly and gradually increase the speed.
Master the timing: The key to playing the fingerpicking pattern accurately is to maintain a steady rhythm. Use a metronome or tap your foot to keep time. Pay attention to the accent on the downbeat (the first note of each measure).
Incorporate the strumming: Once you have the fingerpicking pattern down, start incorporating the strumming. Use a light touch on the downstrokes to avoid drowning out the fingerpicking.

Here’s a breakdown of the fingerpicking pattern:

Measure	Fingerpicking Pattern
1	T-I-M
2	T-I-M
3	T-I-M-I-T
4	T-I-M-I

Where T = thumb, I = index finger, and M = middle finger.

Practice the pattern regularly to build muscle memory and improve your accuracy. With time and effort, you’ll be able to play the fingerpicking pattern in “Come As You Are” confidently.

Playing the Verse Chords

The verse chords for “Come As You Are” are relatively simple, consisting of only three chords: G5, C5, and D5. Here’s how to play each one:

G5

032010

C5

x32010

D5

xx0230

You can strum these chords in a down-up-down-up motion to create a simple but effective rhythm. To make the strumming pattern more interesting, you can try adding some emphasis to the downbeats by strumming them slightly harder.

Transitioning to the Chorus

Once you’re comfortable with the verse pattern, it’s time to transition to the chorus. The chorus has a slightly different strumming rhythm and chord progression:

Strumming Rhythm: Change to eighth-note downstrokes and upstrokes.
Chord Progression: Dm – G – C – F

The transition is smooth because the F chord in the verse leads nicely into the Dm chord of the chorus. To make the transition even more seamless, practice the following steps:

Play the F chord in the verse as a full bar.
On the last beat of the bar, immediately strum down on the Dm chord.
Continue with the eighth-note strumming rhythm and the Dm – G – C – F chord progression.

Verse

|————————-|————————-|
|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-|
|—–1—-1—-1—-1—-|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-|
|—–2—-2—-2—-2—-|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-|
|—–2—-2—-2—-2—-|————————-|
|—–3—-3—-3—-3—-|————————-|
|————————-|————————-|

Chorus

|——————————–|——————————–|
|—–1—-1—-1—-1—-1—-1—-|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-3—-3—-|
|—–3—-3—-3—-3—-1—-1—-|—–0—-0—-0—-0—-0—-0—-|
|—–2—-2—-2—-2—-2—-2—-|—–2—-2—-2—-2—-0—-0—-|
|—–3—-3—-3—-3—-3—-3—-|—–2—-2—-2—-2—-2—-2—-|
|—–x—-x—-x—-x—-x—-x—-|—–3—-3—-3—-3—-3—-3—-|
|—–x—-x—-x—-x—-x—-x—-|——————————–|

Adding the Bridge Variation

The bridge variation adds a subtle yet effective change to the basic chord progression. After playing the G chord on the bridge, you’ll add an Fmaj7 chord on the 3rd fret of the high E string and a Cadd9 chord on the 3rd fret of the low E string. This creates a slightly more complex and resonant sound that enhances the emotional intensity of the bridge.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the bridge variation:

Chord	Fingering
G	3-2-0-0-0-3
Fmaj7	0-3-2-0-1-0
Cadd9	0-3-2-0-3-0

Once you’ve learned the variation, practice transitioning smoothly between the G, Fmaj7, and Cadd9 chords. This will help you create a seamless and musically satisfying bridge.

Soloing Over the Progression

Choosing the Right Scale

The main progression in “Come As You Are” consists of Em, G, C, and D chords. The Em pentatonic minor scale (E, G, A, B, D) offers a good starting point for soloing over this progression.

Creating Melodic Phrases

When soloing, focus on creating coherent and interesting melodic phrases. Use vibrato, bending, and slides to add expression and emotion to your playing. Aim to connect your phrases smoothly and avoid playing aimlessly.

Using Different Techniques

In addition to pentatonic scales, consider using the Em blues scale (E, G, A, A#, B, D) for a more bluesy sound. Experiment with double-stops, trills, and hammer-ons/pull-offs to add variety to your solos.

Targeting Chord Tones

When soloing, pay attention to the underlying chord. Targeting the chord tones (the notes within the chord) helps create harmonic interest and adds structure to your solo. Use arpeggios or melodic lines that incorporate these chord tones.

Creating Tension and Release

To create tension and release in your solos, use chromatic notes (notes outside the current key) to introduce dissonance. Resolve these dissonant notes back to chord tones or pentatonic scale notes to create a sense of release.

Varying Your Articulation

Articulation refers to how you attack and release notes. Experiment with different picking techniques (e.g., alternate picking, hybrid picking) and palm muting to create varying rhythms and textures in your solos.

Practicing and Listening

Regular practice is crucial for improving your soloing skills. Practice scales, arpeggios, and improvising over various progressions. Listen to professional guitarists and analyze their soloing techniques to gain inspiration and improve your own approach.

Ending with the Outro Chords

The outro of “Come As You Are” is a simple yet effective progression of chords. It’s easy to play and adds a nice touch of closure to the song.

To play the outro chords, start with the F chord. Then, strum the F chord twice, followed by the C chord. Next, strum the F chord once, followed by the C chord. Finally, strum the F chord one last time.

Here’s a table summarizing the outro chords:

Chord	Number of Strums
F	2
C	1
F	1
C	1
F	1

Once you’ve mastered the outro chords, you can try adding some variations to make it your own. For example, you could try strumming the chords with different rhythms or adding some fills in between. The possibilities are endless, so experiment and see what sounds best to you.

Tips for a Clear and Consistent Sound

9. Practice the Riff Slowly and Gradually Increase the Speed:

Mastering the Come As You Are riff requires patience and gradual progress. Begin by playing the riff at a slow tempo, focusing on accuracy and muting excess strings. As you gain confidence, gradually increase the speed, maintaining precision and a consistent sound. This method allows you to develop muscle memory and build the coordination necessary for a clean execution.

10. Dampen Unwanted Strings:

To achieve a clear sound, it’s crucial to mute any strings that should not be ringing. This is especially important for the open low E string, as it can create unwanted resonance if left unmuted. Use your fretting hand to lightly touch the string above the one you’re playing, preventing it from vibrating.

11. Use the Correct Picking Technique:

The downstroke and upstroke picking pattern in Come As You Are requires proper technique. Use a firm, controlled downstroke to attack the strings and a relaxed upstroke to mute them. Avoid using excessive force, as this can create a sloppy and inconsistent sound.

12. Experiment with Different Pickups and Amplifiers:

The tone of Come As You Are can vary depending on the pickups and amplifier used. Experiment with different pickup combinations (neck, middle, bridge) and amplifier settings to find a combination that best suits your tastes and the overall sound you’re aiming for.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

1. The Intro Sounds Off

This intro riff is a bit tricky and it’s easy to get the strumming pattern slightly wrong. Make sure you’re muting the “A” string with your 3rd finger while the 1st finger moves between the “E” and “G” strings.

2. Strumming Issues

While the intro can be tricky, the main strumming pattern is fairly simple, but it’s still easy to get it wrong. Pay attention to the downstrokes and upstrokes, as well as the muting techniques, which are essential for getting the distinctive sound of the song.

3. Problems with the F Chord

The F chord often gives beginners problems because it requires a bit of a stretch. Practice your finger placement and focus on getting all the notes ringing out clearly.

4. Timing Problems

One of the key things to keep in mind when playing “Come as You Are” is the timing. Listen carefully to the original recording and try to replicate its feel. Some parts are played with a bit of a swing, so pay attention to the subtle nuances of the rhythm.

5. Distortion Problems

The song relies heavily on distortion to create its sound. Achieving the right distortion can be a challenge, so experiment with your amp settings until you find a tone that gives you the desired grunge vibe.

6. Other Common Mistakes

Here are some other common mistakes to watch out for:

Mistake	Solution
Playing the chords too quickly	Slow down and focus on accuracy
Not muting the strings properly	Use your fretting hand to mute any unwanted strings
Not using vibrato	Add some vibrato to the chords to create a more expressive sound
Playing the wrong notes	Practice the chords and the song slowly to improve accuracy.
Not following the song’s dynamics	Pay attention to the volume and intensity changes in the song and adjust your playing accordingly

How To Play Come As You Are Nirvana On Guitar

Come As You Are is one of Nirvana’s most iconic songs, and it’s a great song for beginners to learn on guitar. The song is in the key of G major, and it uses a basic 4/4 time signature. The main riff is played on the low E and A strings, and it’s a great way to practice your fretting hand coordination.

To play the main riff, place your first finger on the first fret of the low E string, and your third finger on the second fret of the A string. Then, pick both strings simultaneously. Next, place your second finger on the second fret of the low E string, and your fourth finger on the fourth fret of the A string. Again, pick both strings simultaneously.

Continue this pattern for the rest of the riff. Once you have the main riff down, you can add in the other parts of the song. The verse is played with a basic strumming pattern, and the chorus is played with a more aggressive strumming pattern. The bridge is played with a clean guitar sound, and it features a simple melody.

Come As You Are is a great song to learn on guitar because it’s relatively easy to play, and it’s a lot of fun to play. With a little practice, you’ll be able to play this song like a pro.