How to play Would? - Alice in Chains

In this video guitar lesson we will take an in depth look at the melancholic hard rock masterpiece "Would?" by Alice in Chains.

"Would?" was first released in 1992 on the soundtrack for the movie Singles. It was later included on the band's album Dirt from the same year.

In this Would guitar lesson I am going to break down every guitar part that guitarist Jerry Cantrell plays note-for-note.

First off, you need to tune down a half step to Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb in order to follow along with this lesson and the original recording.

The intro of the song includes the use of harmonics along with an open string and fretted note to create sort of a dreamy atmosphere.

From there we arrive at the main riff in it's higher octave form. This riff requires you to play some Hendrix inspired chordal hammer-ons, but don't worry, they are quite easy to perform.

That riff is then taken one octave lower but remains a relatively easy part to play. Just focus on your picking hand hitting only those two strings in the chord and timing the hammer-ons correctly and you will be fine.

We then launch into the chorus which is based around the simple B5 and G5 chords. It is amazing the effect that those two simple chords can have to create a killer chorus.

A little further through the lesson we arrive at the guitar solo. In this solo, Jerry Cantrell uses a trill, oblique bends and so on to complement the dark vibe of the song. It is a very effective solo and approachable by any upper beginner level player and up.

The song closes with a very powerful riff that requires a pretty good rhythmic feel to pull off. I suggest really paying attention to the palm muting that is being used here. That muting helps those notes pop out of the mix and create that power rhythmic groove underneath.

The song ends with another Hendrix trademark chord voicing played in a very dissonant and in your face style. A very unique song through and through.

So there you have it! I hope you guys enjoy this Would guitar lesson. This track is definitely one of the coolest from the era!

Carl...

[oxrjbizzley]

love that main hammer on riff, jerry cantrell is brilliant and layne staleys vocals in this song are otherworldly! thanx carl!

[Chieftainteroix]

maybe the greatest album of all time. I don't say that lightly. What a dive into mental illness, drug use and abuse, self loathing. All sadly prophetic. I will never get tired of this album. The first blues doom

[Bytorsnowdog]

Great lesson.. Cantrell is a genius at using dissonant chords.. Been following his work for a great long time... Thx!

[Helo]

I don't know what to call it, but I am in absolute love with the octave shift at 0:37.

[efitocl]

Hey Carl, just wanted to say thanks. I’ve been watching your videos for about two years now and they’re hands down the best lessons on YouTube. Keep up the good work man, great content!

[TrulsNilsen]

Awsome. No bullshit, high quality!! Love it! Thank you man! You nailed the song! You get straight to the point, without 5 minutes of bullshit about subscribing to a blog. 11/10 points!

[leopugaa]

favorite band and my favorite teacher, great lesson as usual.

[quantumxfluxmd]

Everytime i look a classic rock ish song heres carl brown to teach it to me. Youre basically my bonus dad

[lukekelly]

Thank you so much! I would appreciate more Alice in chains :) thanks

[thejetro]

one of the best lessons ive seen online !! concise and quick....great job !!!

[Coolbaby]

Can you do Dirt by Alice in Chains? Please!!!

[mrpotato]

The bridge sounds amazing when you play it. Always been my favorite part of the song.

[thanevakarian]

Thanks for this, for some reason I had it in my mind this was a really tricky song to play and I always avoided learning it. Glad I finally have it another go years later.

[tkzsfen]

the best part was the solo, it was clearly shown and explained. thanks, i might even try to learn and play it

[fabianvasquezjr]

Awesome always knew parts of the song but you put it together for me in a easy and well taught lesson, thanks! subscribed

[vladionescu]

My dad : *practises
Me : So...I got an F at maths
My dad : 2:03




Dat frickin look tho

[alim]

please do more alive in chains songs! loved that you just did rooster!

[norahroselle]

Ur awesome man this was way more simple that I had expected

[malt]

your my idol men your so expert in teaching I have learned it easily...

[serviciotecnico]

Men, this song it is part of my life, im 40 and i love it since i was 15 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻. Thanks !! now i can play it i my guitar. From argentina i big hug.