Learn how to play Nirvana’s iconic grunge anthem “Come As You Are” with this easy guitar lesson from Marty Schwartz. This song features one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock history, and it’s surprisingly accessible for beginners once you understand the technique.
Come As You Are is played in standard tuning, making it easy to jump right into. The main riff is simple and repetitive, but what really makes the song sound authentic is the chorus effect that Kurt Cobain used. You’ll need some type of chorus – either a guitar pedal or an amp with built-in chorus – to capture that distinctive swirling, watery sound that defines the song.
What Makes This Lesson Great:
- Iconic, instantly recognizable riff
- Standard tuning (no alternate tunings needed)
- Introduction to using effects (chorus pedal)
- Simple fingering pattern that repeats
- Perfect for learning grunge and alternative rock style
The riff itself uses mainly single notes played on the lower strings, with a melodic pattern that’s easy to memorize. Once you’ve got the basic riff down, adding the chorus effect transforms it into the unmistakable Nirvana sound. This is a great song for understanding how effects can completely change the character of what you’re playing.
This is perfect for rock and grunge fans who want to learn classic ’90s alternative songs. After mastering this, you might also enjoy learning other rock guitar songs from the era, or explore more easy guitar songs to build your repertoire.