1979
by The Smashing Pumpkins
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
BeginnerWhy "1979" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give The Smashing Pumpkins's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Nostalgic Octave Riffs with Muted Strings and Suspended Dream-Pop Voicings
Billy Corgan crafted an unforgettable coming-of-age anthem using two-note octave grips on the 5th and 3rd strings (or 4th and 2nd strings) with the middle string carefully muted. Tuning down a half step and strumming through Emaj7 and Asus2 (sounding in Eb) produces an airy, melancholic drone that sounds simultaneously retro and modern.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
Imaj7 - IVsus2 (Verse) | ii11 - Vadd11 - I - vi7 (Chorus)Step-by-Step Movement
- •Emaj7 (Imaj7): The shimmering, bittersweet tonic with major 7th warmth.
- •Asus2 (IVsus2): The floating subdominant sustaining the dreamy open treble chime.
- •F#m11 (ii11): Lush, modern minor extension initiating the chorus harmonic ascent.
- •Badd11 (Vadd11): Dominant chord softened with the suspended 4th/11th to avoid harsh resolution.
- •C#m7 (vi7): Relative minor providing deep emotional grounding at the end of the chorus cycle.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›Corgan uses the octave shape to trace vocal-like melodies while allowing open strings to bleed into the sound.
- ›The constant presence of the high B and E notes across every chord provides a unified sonic halo.
- ›The relaxed, loop-based drum machine feel emphasizes the relaxed, reflective character of the chord changes.
Fretboard Mechanics
Tune down a half step (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb). Keep your index finger lightly resting on the G string when fretting the D and B string octaves to eliminate unwanted open string noise.
Replace plain major and minor triads with maj7, sus2, and add11 chords to give standard pop-rock progressions a nostalgic, timeless indie aesthetic.
The concert pitch major key of the studio recording.
The chord shapes played relative to half-step down tuning.
The foundation for the shimmering major-seventh harmony.
Emaj7 defining the dreamy intro progression.
Asus2 and Badd11 voicings that soften harmonic cadences.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding E major:
E major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Wistful, coming-of-age E Ionian / Lydian dream-rock built on sliding octave shapes and ringing open B and high E drone strings mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Underpins Billy Corgan's nostalgic octave melody and open-drone E major / Asus2 verse progression (sounding in Eb major due to half-step-down tuning)
Drives the wistful F#m11 - B - E - C#m chorus progression and bridge octave shifts
The harmonic character shaping E major
The harmonic character shaping E major
Understand major chord construction and voicings
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in E major
E major
Notes: E - F# - G# - A - B - C# - D# - E
Application: Underpins Billy Corgan's nostalgic octave melody and open-drone E major / Asus2 verse progression (sounding in Eb major due to half-step-down tuning)
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Alternates between a two-chord hypnotic verse loop (Emaj7 to Asus2 with sliding A-and-G-string octaves) and a sweeping chorus progression that keeps the top two strings open throughout.
💡 Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
Emaj7
Asus2
F#m11
Badd11
E
C#m7
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- Emaj7 (Imaj7)Nostalgic major seventh tonic established by the low E bass and D# octave
- Asus2 (IVsus2)Open, airy subdominant chord that anchors the rapid descending octave run
- F#m11 & Badd11 (iiV)
- C#m7 (vi7)Relative minor chord grounding the end of each chorus line
Key Techniques
A-and-G-String Octave Sliding & Open Drone Chords
IntermediateFretting octave shapes on the 5th (A) and 3rd (G) strings while muting the middle D string and sliding rapidly down the E major scale degrees (frets 11-9-7-6-4-2)
Uses chords:
Progression:
Emaj7 - Asus2 | F#m11 - Badd11 - E - C#m7
Technique Tips:
- •Maintain a fixed two-fret spacing between your index finger (A string) and ring/pinky finger (G string) as you slide down the neck
- •Look ahead to your target fret (fret 2) rather than watching your fingers during the fast octave slide
- •In the chorus, let the open B and high E strings ring out on F#m11 (2-4-4-2-0-0), Badd11 (X-2-4-4-0-0), and C#m7 (X-4-6-6-0-0)
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of E major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Intro & Verse Octave Riff
Main Verse Octave Riff
Billy Corgan's unmistakable Emaj7-to-Asus2 groove punctuated by the rapid descending octave run.
- •Mute the 4th (D) string cleanly with the underside of your index finger during the octaves
- •Let the open low E string drone under the 6th/8th fret D# octave
- •Slide smoothly down 11-9-7-6-4-2 on beats 3 and 4 of bar 2
Chorus ('Shakedown 1979')
Chorus Drone Progression
Dreamy chorus progression moving from F#m11 and Badd11 up to E and C#m7.
- •Keep strings 1 and 2 open on every chord for a unified shoegaze shimmer
- •Strum with a steady, propulsive eighth-note feel at 127 BPM
- •Emphasize the bass root transitions cleanly
E Major Octave Scale Exercise
Octave Fretboard Mobility Drill
Isolated octave shifting drill ascending and descending the E major scale on the A and G strings.
- •Keep your hand relaxed so the two-fret span stays consistent from fret 2 to fret 11
- •Check that the middle D string makes zero sound when you strum across strings 5, 4, and 3
- •Use steady eighth-note strumming
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Neck + Middle single-coil position for glassy verse chime; Bridge pickup for chorus drive
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 4 (warm, compressed clean-to-crunch)
Treble: 6 (crisp octave string definition)
Middle: 6 (present alternative rock midrange)
Bass: 5 (tight low end)
Presence: 5 (balanced top end)
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
Light tube overdrive or Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (rolled back for bridge thickness)
Reverb / Delay:
Studio plate reverb
Modulation / Other:
Optical compressor for even octave sustain
Recommended Learning Path
Octave Shape & Open Asus2
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Form the 6th-fret A / 8th-fret G octave shape and practice muting the middle D string
- •Practice switching from the Emaj7 octave shape to the open Asus2 chord (X-0-2-2-0-0)
- •Learn the open-drone chorus chords: F#m11, Badd11, E, and C#m7
The Descending Octave Run
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Master the descending octave slide (11 → 9 → 7 → 6 → 4 → 2) slowly at 90 BPM
- •Connect the Asus2 chord directly into the octave run without pausing on beat 3
- •Play the verse and chorus seamlessly at 127 BPM
Bridge Modulation & Full Studio Precision
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Execute the bridge modulation (E5 - C5 - A5 - B5) and octave melodies
- •Maintain flawless D-string muting even while strumming aggressively at full tempo
- •Layer the rhythm and octave parts with a looper pedal
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Letting the open D string ring out inside the octave shapes, creating a muddy cluster
- •Changing the distance between the index and ring fingers while sliding down from fret 11 to fret 2
- •Starting the descending octave run too late and missing beat 1 of the nextEmaj7 bar
⏱️Targeted Practice Routine
0/4 Completed (0%)Check off each segment during your session to track your practice progress:
- 5 minutes: Isolated octave shape D-string muting check across frets 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, and 11
- 5 minutes: Descending octave slide (11-9-7-6-4-2) looped with a metronome at 100 BPM → 127 BPM
- 5 minutes: Chorus open-drone chord transitions (F#m11 → Badd11 → E → C#m7)
- 5 minutes: Full song playthrough
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Consistent two-fret octave hand frame
- •Clean index-finger muting of the 4th string
- •Ringing open B and high E strings during the chorus
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Start at 95 BPM to ensure every octave position in the descending run is articulated clearly
- •Gradually increase to 127 BPM while keeping the strumming hand relaxed
- •Lock the Emaj7 downbeat directly to click 1 after the slide