Mastering Nirvana's 'Come As You Are': Your Ultimate Guide To Guitar Tabs
Why "Come As You Are" Is a Must-Learn for Guitarists
Released from their groundbreaking album *Nevermind*, "Come As You Are" quickly became a cornerstone of grunge music. It was Nirvana's second and last American Top 40 hit, staying on the charts for an impressive 18 weeks. Its distinctive, almost aquatic guitar riff is instantly recognizable and surprisingly approachable for beginners, while still offering nuances for more experienced players. The song's blend of clean, chorus-drenched verses and powerful, distorted choruses showcases Kurt Cobain's unique compositional style, making it a fantastic piece to add to your repertoire.Diving into "Come As You Are" Tabs
Tablature, or "tabs," is a simplified way to read music for stringed instruments like the guitar or bass. Instead of traditional musical notation, tabs represent the strings and frets, making it incredibly intuitive for guitarists to learn songs by seeing exactly where to place their fingers.Finding the Right Tab
The internet is a treasure trove for "Come As You Are" tabs. You'll find numerous free online tab players, with platforms like Ultimate-Guitar.Com being a popular choice. Many sites offer "one accurate version" of the tab, often refined by professional guitarists. However, it's worth noting that there are often multiple interpretations; some resources mention up to "6 versions" of the song's chords and tabs. You can also find high-quality PDF transcriptions, like those by Alex Houton & Michael DuClos for both guitar and bass.Key Elements You'll Find in Tabs
When you access a "Come As You Are" tab, you'll encounter various crucial pieces of information that guide your playing: * **Notes, Chords, and Lyrics:** Tabs will clearly show you the individual notes to play, along with the corresponding chords and lyrics to help you follow the song structure. You can find free printable and easy chords with diagrams and lyrics. * **Tuning:** This is vital! While the most common tuning for "Come As You Are" is standard E A D G B E, some versions, particularly for the main riff, might suggest Drop D tuning (D G C F A D). There's even a tab mentioning D G C F A D tuning, which is a full step down. Always check the tuning specified at the top of the tab. * **Key:** The song is predominantly in the key of E. * **Capo:** Most versions of "Come As You Are" do not require a capo. * **Effects:** To get that signature Nirvana sound, tabs often suggest effects. For the electric guitar, you'll want a clean electric guitar tone for the verses, transitioning to a distortion guitar for the heavier parts. * **Techniques:** Tabs use common symbols to indicate various guitar techniques: * `/` or `\` for Slide Up/Down * `h` for Hammer On * `p` for Pull Off * `b` for Bend * `r` for Release * `v` for Vibrato * `x` for Muted notes Tabs arranged by Cledy Clarejack, for example, highlight various techniques, rhythms, and slides, offering tips for performance challenges. * **Strumming Pattern:** Interestingly, some official tabs, like those from Ultimate-Guitar.Com, note that "there is no strumming pattern for this song yet." This is a testament to the riff-driven nature of the song, though you can develop your own strumming for the chord sections. * **BPM (Beats Per Minute):** Some tabs specify the song's tempo, often around 200 BPM.Breaking Down the Song Sections
"Come As You Are" has a clear, memorable structure that tabs help you navigate: * **The Intro:** This is arguably the most famous part, with its distinct, clean riff. Tabs will show you the precise finger placements for this. * **The Verse:** The lyrics "Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be / As a friend, as a friend, as an old enemy / Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours - don't be late" are central. You'll see the chords (like E F#m) accompanying these lines. The second verse famously starts with "Come, doused in mud, soaked in bleach." * **The Pre-Chorus:** This section features the repetitive "Memoria, memoria," which is a crucial part of the song's dynamic build-up. * **The Solo:** While not overly complex, the solo is impactful. Tabs provide detailed notation for it. * **The "Memoria Memoria" Part:** This interlude often gets specific attention in tabs, detailing the chord progression and rhythm. You can find tabs that outline the full song, or focus specifically on the intro, solo, or other key sections.Learning Approaches and Resources
Learning "Come As You Are" with tabs can be enhanced by various supplementary resources:Playing Along with Audio
Many online tab players offer the ability to "play along with original audio." This is incredibly helpful for timing and feel. You can also find backing tracks that include drums, bass, and other background elements, allowing you to jam along as if you're part of the band. Some resources even provide isolated guitar tracks so you can really hear what Kurt Cobain was doing.Video Lessons
For visual learners, video lessons are invaluable. Many platforms offer "simple video lessons" that break down the song. JustinGuitar Tabs is a popular resource for chords, lyrics, and tabs, often accompanied by video instruction. You might also find lessons from dedicated instructors like Patrick Dwyer (Mr. Tabs), who teaches by jamming along with your favorite rock riffs.Different Versions and Styles
"Come As You Are" has been performed in various ways, and tabs reflect this: * **Acoustic Guitar Tabs:** If you prefer unplugged playing, there are specific tabs for acoustic guitar, detailing tuning, capo usage, chords, and solo notation suitable for an acoustic setup. * **Live Tabs:** The iconic MTV Unplugged in New York performance of "Come As You Are" has its own dedicated tabs, showing the chords, notes, capo, tuning, and effects used in that specific live setting. * **Bass Tablature:** Bassists aren't left out! "Come As You Are Bass by Nirvana" tabs are widely available, outlining the crucial bassline that underpins the song. * **Unusual Instruments:** Interestingly, you might even find tabs for instruments like Baritone Sax, showing the song's versatility.Tips for Performance Challenges
As mentioned in some tab descriptions, you'll find tips for performance challenges, helping you navigate tricky transitions or specific techniques. Whether it's mastering the slides, getting the rhythm just right, or nailing the dynamic shifts between clean and distorted sections, these insights can be very beneficial.Conclusion
"Come As You Are" by Nirvana is a cornerstone of rock history, and thanks to the accessibility of guitar tabs, it's a song that any aspiring or seasoned guitarist can learn to play. From understanding the notes, chords, and various tunings to utilizing backing tracks and video lessons, the resources available make mastering this classic an enjoyable journey. So, grab your guitar, find your preferred tab, and dive into the melancholic beauty of "Come As You Are." You'll be playing that iconic riff and singing along to Kurt Cobain's timeless lyrics in no time.
Nirvana - Come As You Are - Guitar Tab (Full Step, 1/2 Step & Standard
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Come as you are Tab Guitar Pro - Nirvana - UNISSON ONLINE
