Come As You Are Guitar Lesson - Nirvana

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In this Come As You Guitar guitar lesson video, I will show you how to play this Nirvana classic note-for-note.

The first thing you will need to do in order to play along with this lesson video and the original recording is to get your guitar into what is usually referred to as "D standard" tuning. That basically means you will be tuning all the strings down a whole step. Starting from the 6th string that will be (D G C F A D).

You will probably see some live performance of "Come As You Are" around the internet as well. During these live performances, Nirvana usually only tuned down one-half step instead of the full whole-step found on the original recording. So if you want to play along with a live version of the song tune your guitar to (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb). Both versions of the song are played exactly the same way on the guitar. Only the tuning varies.

I chose to use the original "D Standard" tuning for this lesson since I feel it helps create the dark mood of the song.

The intro and verse consist of a single note riff that is instantly recognizable to any rock music fan of the past 25 years or so. It is simple to play but can be a bit awkward for the beginning level guitarist.

The remaining rhythm sections of the song use only simple chord shapes, a highlight being the sus4 bar chord used during the chorus.

The last thing I will show you how to play in this lesson is Kurt Cobain's guitar solo. Once again, he keeps everything pretty simple here with a repetitive melodic phrase. The long bends at the end of each phrase include the use of open strings to create a sort of chaotic sound, but it is still one of the more simple solos you will come across.

Have fun learning this classic from the one and only Nirvana!

[jamesrunningwind]

Some where in the dark hours after midnight, in a dark dimly lit, stinky smoke filled garage, there's someone playing till their fingers crack and bleed. Kudos to ya. You rock 🤘 thank you for inspiring those that seek.

[zhafirschannel]

Intro & Verse 2:02
Chorus 4:07
Bridge 6:05
Solo 7:27

[nylophone]

I teach the intro riff to this to all my beginner guitar students. It's great that a band that I loved when I was a kid is still relevant and enjoyed by the next generation.

[patrickfuckingdavis]

I've got the opening verse but I'm totally lost on the rest lol

[joshwilliams]

Cobain gets the "sus4" chords because he plays power chords by holding down a bar with his ring finger over the 5th and octave notes, instead of just fingering them in the usual way. That's how he gets that extra sus note in there, probably by mistake. Call it lazy/poor technique but it adds to the nuance of their music I guess

[the-programing]

OMG I have been waiting for a new nirvana lesson for a long time! Carl !Thank you so so much!

[alexmonfort]

is there any nirvana's song that you don't need to tune your guitar other than the regular tune?

[Maark_]

metallica - to live is to die, please! it's hard to learn without your lessons

[Cougartweak]

just watched at 1/2 speed, I never realized until now I need a drunk Guitar teacher....

[HeWhistlesTunes]

You and the guitar seem in sync. And I can’t tear y’all apart.

[Michelle-wbui]

I was stupid enough to tune the wrong way so my string broke :(

[markcassidy]

Carl you're the best.i am a bad guitar player, but i picked this up in less than half an hour.Thank -you so much mate.

[dianesmith]

Nirvana songs are so easy to play, less is more.

[seanhopkins]

Got to be the best guitar tutorials on Youtube! Always makes everything so clear and easy to understand. Amazing selection of songs to choose from and learn too 👍

[brucealcoriza]

Goodness, Carl ! How did you know how to play all these songs and teaching them? It seems like you never run out of songs..! Thanks so much, though...you're the best guitar teacher here in YT, I swear to God...:)

[troytomahawk]

Carl Brown is the fucking best guitar teacher ever he teaches you how to play the fucking song the right way and the full song thank you Carl

[Theiver]

Finally a lesson where they actually tune it right. It's not hard to tune it 2 half-steps down. Thanks

[melvin]

4:22 help :( i cant make this sound ....

[HorsepowerAddicted]

Amen! Thanks. If you are looking for suggestions: Roll on down the highway by BTO. The rundown on the guitar solo is hard to figure out!

[glenevansburns]

Awee I learned this song when it came out in early 90s from guitar magazine and my step brother and rainbow friends I still miss Kurt Cobain what a talented musician R.I.P.