Nirvana Riffin' in Drop-D (ft. All Apologies)
Lesson #155 • May 26, 2018
Video lesson
Instructional PDF 1 page
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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