In this video
This lesson breaks down five iconic Nirvana songs perfect for intermediate guitarists looking to build their grunge repertoire. Starting with the easiest option, "About a Girl" uses simple open chords (E minor, G major, C♯ major) with a distinctive down-down-up-down-up strumming pattern and introduces the F♯7add11 chord - nicknamed the "Alex Lifeson chord" after Rush's guitarist.
"Heart-Shaped Box" requires drop D tuning (or D standard for this lesson) and demonstrates the power of one-string power chords made possible by the dropped low string. The riff uses A5 power chords with a distinctive down-down-down-up picking pattern, moving to barred power chords at the third fret. The genius moment comes when the major third appears at the fourth fret of the D string, creating an unexpectedly uplifting sound in an otherwise dark song, followed by a tritone interval that adds that characteristic grunge tension.
"Come as You Are" showcases the importance of picking technique, emphasizing the up-pick motion when returning from high to low strings - the foundation of economy picking that allows faster playing across the neck. The lesson demonstrates how leading with root notes helps when learning unfamiliar chord shapes, getting that first bass note down before filling in the rest of the chord.
"Lithium" shares the same chord progression as Oasis's "She's Electric" (E power chord to A♭/G♯ to C♯ minor to A major), demonstrating how similar progressions create completely different songs across genres. The picking pattern emphasizes economy picking over strict alternate picking - always picking in the direction of the next string for maximum efficiency.
"In Bloom" focuses on power chord movement (B♭ to G to F to A♭) with practical advice on finding the nearest chord positions rather than constantly moving up and down the neck - playing B♭ at the first fret instead of the sixth when it makes more sense for the phrase.
The legendary "Smells Like Teen Spirit" caps the lesson with its four power chords (F to B♭ to G♯ to C♯) and the crucial 16th-note strumming pattern that defines the song - keeping the wrist loose for the rapid down-down-down-down-up motion. The solo sits in F minor pentatonic, an unusual position that challenges players to think beyond the typical pentatonic boxes.
Throughout, the lesson emphasizes grunge's flexibility as a genre - using both clean tones and heavy distortion, often in the same song. Tuning discussion covers D standard and drop D setups, essential for authentic Nirvana sounds. Gear shown includes a RAT distortion pedal and Sonic Cake modulation pedal with auto-wah for Alice in Chains' "Rooster" bonus demonstration.