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Nirvana Riffin' in Drop-D (ft. All Apologies)

Lesson #155 • May 26, 2018

Video lesson

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It includes all of my notes for this lesson, allowing you to follow along at your own pace. You're free to download, print, and share the PDF across your devices.

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Editor’s notes

In this video I’ll explain how to approach the intro & verse riff of “All Apologies” by Nirvana, step by step. I’ll include an easy version of the riff (using standard tuning), as well as a more full advanced version that closely matches what Kurt Cobain plays (using drop-D tuning).

  • 0:00 Playthrough and greeting
  • 1:00 Simplified easy version
  • 3:01 “Full” advanced version
  • 6:55 Farewell

Quick note about tuning!

Nirvana plays with everything tuned down 1/2 step (E becomes Eb, A becomes Ab, etc). In my video lesson, I’m staying in standard tuning to keep things simple. There is an additional step (of tuning your low-E string down an extra whole step) which I’ll talk about later as well.

Nirvana Recordings of All Apologies

From the album In Utero:

Live performance from MTV Unplugged:

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