This No Excuses guitar lesson breaks down one of Alice in Chains’ most accessible yet emotionally powerful tracks. What makes this song so appealing to learn is how Jerry Cantrell uses relatively simple chord shapes to create such a haunting, beautiful sound. The fingerpicking technique combined with those rich open chords gives you a perfect entry point into Alice in Chains’ style without needing to tackle their heavier material first. You’ll discover how effective songwriting doesn’t always require complex techniques, just the right feel and dynamics.
Song Story & Context
Alice in Chains recorded “No Excuses” during the sessions for their 1994 EP “Jar of Flies,” an entirely acoustic effort that surprised fans expecting their typical heavy sound. Jerry Cantrell wrote this track during a period when the band was dealing with Layne Staley’s increasing struggles with addiction. The song’s introspective lyrics and gentle acoustic arrangement marked a significant departure from their grunge roots.
What’s fascinating about the recording is that Cantrell used a Martin D-28 acoustic guitar, layering multiple takes to create that full, rich sound you hear on the album. The track became one of their biggest hits, reaching number one on the Mainstream Rock charts and proving that Alice in Chains could captivate audiences with dynamics and emotion rather than just heavy riffs.
What You’ll Learn
- Open chord voicings in the key of G major
- Fingerpicking patterns that create smooth transitions
- How to use hammer-ons and pull-offs within chord shapes
- Dynamics and timing for emotional impact
- Proper fretting technique for clean chord changes
- Creating fullness with single guitar parts
Chord Progression Breakdown
The main progression centers around G – D – Am – C, but Cantrell adds some beautiful variations that make it special. For the G chord, you’ll want to use your middle finger on the 3rd fret of the low E string, ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string, and pinky on the 3rd fret of the high E string. This leaves your index finger free for those little melodic touches.
The D chord here isn’t your standard open D. Try using your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the high E string, and ring finger on the 3rd fret of the B string. This voicing gives you that higher, brighter sound that fits the song perfectly.
When you move to the Am chord, focus on keeping your transitions smooth. Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the B string, middle finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and ring finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. The key is maintaining that gentle fingerpicking flow throughout the changes.
The C chord completes the cycle, and you’ll use a standard open C shape. What matters most is how you connect these chords with the picking pattern rather than strumming through them aggressively.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
“No Excuses” relies more on fingerpicking than traditional strumming, which gives it that intimate, delicate feel. The basic pattern involves your thumb playing the bass notes while your fingers pluck the higher strings. Start by using your thumb for the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings, while your index, middle, and ring fingers handle the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings respectively.
The rhythm has a gentle 4/4 feel, but don’t rush it. This song benefits from letting each note ring out and breathing between the chord changes. Practice the picking pattern slowly on just the G chord until it becomes second nature, then gradually add the other chord changes.
Pay attention to the subtle hammer-ons and pull-offs that happen within the chord shapes. These aren’t flashy techniques, but they add the melodic movement that makes the song so compelling. When you’re on the G chord, try hammering onto the 2nd fret of the A string occasionally. These small additions create the emotional peaks in the song.
Tips for Playing This Song
Keep your picking hand relaxed. Tension in your right hand will kill the gentle, flowing feel this song needs. Let your fingers naturally curve and pluck the strings without forcing anything. The beauty of “No Excuses” comes from its subtlety, not from aggressive playing.
Focus on clean chord transitions. Since this is a slower song, every note is exposed. Sloppy chord changes will be immediately obvious. Practice changing between G and D slowly, making sure each finger lands exactly where it needs to go. Speed comes naturally once your muscle memory develops.
Don’t overdo the dynamics. While the song has emotional peaks and valleys, they’re achieved through subtle changes rather than dramatic volume swings. A slight increase in picking intensity during the chorus is enough to create contrast with the verses.
Listen to your fretting hand pressure. Use just enough pressure to get clean notes without pressing too hard. Excessive pressure will tire your hand quickly and can actually make notes sound sharp. This is especially important on the barre portions if you decide to add any of the more advanced voicings later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many guitarists try to play this song too fast, thinking that technical speed will make it sound better. “No Excuses” is all about space and timing, so resist the urge to rush through the chord changes. Each chord should ring out fully before moving to the next one.
Another common issue is neglecting the bass notes. Your thumb work on the lower strings provides the foundation that makes this song work. Don’t just focus on the pretty high notes and forget that the bass movement between chords is what gives the progression its forward motion.
Finally, avoid making the fingerpicking pattern too rigid. While there’s a basic pattern to follow, Cantrell adds variations throughout the song. Once you’re comfortable with the main pattern, start incorporating small changes to keep it interesting. The goal is musical expression, not mechanical precision.
“No Excuses” proves that sometimes the most powerful guitar parts come from restraint and emotion rather than technical complexity. Take your time with this one, focus on getting that gentle, haunting feel, and practice along with the video lesson to nail those subtle details that make this song so special.