The About A Girl guitar lesson is a perfect introduction to Nirvana’s acoustic side. This song from their MTV Unplugged performance showcases Kurt Cobain’s ability to write simple, catchy melodies that stick in your head forever.
In this lesson, Marty Schwartz breaks down the chord progression, the strumming pattern, the lead fills, and the techniques that give About A Girl its distinctive sound.
The Chord Progression
About A Girl uses a simple verse-chorus structure with basic open chords. The progression alternates between two sections that create the song’s signature contrast.
Verse progression: E minor → G major (repeat)
E minor: Standard open Em chord (2nd fret on A and D strings). This creates the darker, introspective feel of the verse.
G major: Standard open G chord. Let it ring out fully between the Em chords.
The verse alternates between Em and G repeatedly. Each chord gets about two beats. This creates a hypnotic back-and-forth that’s the foundation of the song.
Chorus progression: C# → F# → C# → F# → E major → A major → C major
The chorus shifts to power chords and barre chords. Here’s where it gets a bit more challenging:
C# power chord: 4th fret on A string, 6th fret on D and G strings (barre with ring finger or use three fingers).
F# power chord: 2nd fret on low E string, 4th fret on A and D strings.
E major: Standard open E chord.
A major: Standard open A chord.
C major: Standard open C chord to close out the chorus.
The Strumming Pattern
About A Girl has a steady, driving strumming pattern that’s crucial to getting the feel right. It’s not complicated, but the rhythm needs to be tight.
Verse strumming pattern: Down-down-up-down-up. Repeat this for each chord change.
The emphasis is on the downbeats. Keep it consistent and steady. Don’t rush the chord changes—let each chord sit for a moment before moving to the next.
Chorus strumming pattern: Similar to the verse, but with more emphasis and energy. Open up your strumming and let the power chords ring out.
During the power chord sections (C# and F#), you can use all downstrokes for a punchier, more aggressive sound. When you hit the open chords (E, A, C), open up the strumming pattern again.
The Lead Fill
There’s a simple lead fill that happens during the verse. It’s played on the high E string and adds a melodic touch to the progression.
The fill: Play the open high E string, then hammer-on from the 2nd to the 3rd fret. Pull off back to the 2nd fret, then play the open E again.
This fill happens between the Em and G chord changes. It’s quick and subtle, but it adds character to the verse. Practice it slowly at first to get the timing right.
The Bridge Section
The bridge uses the same chord progression as the chorus but with a slightly different feel. The strumming opens up more, and the dynamics shift to create contrast before returning to the verse.
Focus on letting the chords ring out fully during the bridge. This creates space and gives the song room to breathe before diving back into the verse.
Tips for Playing About A Girl
- Master the Em-G changes. The verse progression is simple, but the constant back-and-forth requires smooth transitions. Practice until they’re automatic.
- Get the power chords clean. The C# and F# power chords in the chorus need to be tight. No buzzing or muted strings.
- Keep the strumming consistent. About A Girl lives on its groove. Use a metronome if you’re rushing or dragging.
- Add the lead fill gradually. Don’t try to nail it on your first run-through. Get the chords and strumming down first, then add the fill.
- Use dynamics. The verse is more subdued. The chorus opens up. That contrast is what makes the song work.
Why About A Girl Works
About A Girl is a perfect example of Nirvana’s ability to write songs that sound simple but are incredibly effective. The chord progression is straightforward, the strumming pattern is basic, but the combination creates something memorable.
Kurt Cobain understood how to write hooks that stuck in your head. About A Girl doesn’t rely on technical complexity—it relies on feel, melody, and dynamics.
It’s also a great song for intermediate players because it introduces barre chords and power chords without being overwhelming. The verse is easy, the chorus requires a bit more skill, and the lead fill adds a challenge.
Common Mistakes
Rushing the tempo: About A Girl has a steady groove. Don’t speed it up. Keep it locked in.
Weak power chords: The C# and F# power chords need to be clean and tight. Sloppy execution kills the energy of the chorus.
Inconsistent strumming: The down-down-up-down-up pattern needs to be consistent throughout. Don’t let it get uneven.
Ignoring dynamics: The verse and chorus have different feels. Use dynamics to create contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the chords for About A Girl?
About A Girl uses E minor and G major for the verse. The chorus uses C#, F#, E major, A major, and C major. The verse is all open chords, while the chorus introduces power chords and barre chords.
Is About A Girl hard to play on guitar?
About A Girl is intermediate-friendly. The verse is easy (just Em and G), but the chorus requires barre chords and power chords. It’s a great song for building chord vocabulary and transition skills.
What tuning is About A Girl in?
About A Girl is played in standard tuning (EADGBE). The MTV Unplugged version is also in standard tuning.
What is the strumming pattern for About A Girl?
The strumming pattern is down-down-up-down-up for both the verse and chorus. Keep it steady and consistent, with more emphasis during the chorus.
Did Nirvana play About A Girl on MTV Unplugged?
Yes, About A Girl was one of the standout performances from Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged in New York session. The acoustic version is the most famous rendition of the song.
Can beginners play About A Girl?
Beginners can tackle the verse (Em and G), but the chorus requires barre chords and power chords that may be challenging. It’s a great song to work toward as you build your chord vocabulary.
About A Girl is a Nirvana classic that’s both accessible and rewarding. Once you’ve got the chord changes and strumming down, you’ll have a song that sounds great acoustically or with distortion.
Rock on!