Come As You Are
by Nirvana
Album: Nevermind
Released: 1992
Genre: Grunge/Alternative
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
BeginnerBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding F# minor:
F# minor has a darker, more introspective character. The Aeolian (Natural Minor) mode creates tension and emotion. This key is perfect for expressing melancholy or aggressive themes in rock music.
Pro Tip: Practice the scales and chord progressions in this key to internalize its unique character and improve your improvisation.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in F# minor
F# natural minor (Aeolian)
Notes: F# - G# - A - B - C# - D - E - F#
Application: Primary scale for the main riff and melodic content
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Hypnotic two-chord oscillation that creates the song's dreamy, ambiguous atmosphere through simple minor-to-flat-seven movement
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 Used:
F#m
E
Harmonic Functions:
- F#m (i):Tonic minor establishing the song's dark, introspective center
- E (bVII):Flat seventh providing forward motion without dominant tension
- A (bIII):Relative major chord adding brightness in the chorus
Key Techniques
Clean Tone Single-Note Riff
BeginnerThe iconic opening riff played on the low strings with a clean chorus-effected tone, using a simple descending and ascending pattern that outlines the F#m-E harmony
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
Single-note riff outlining F#m - E movement
Tips:
- • Use alternate picking (down-up-down-up) for even note articulation
- • Keep the fretting fingers close to the fretboard for quick, clean movement
- • The chorus effect is essential - without it, the riff loses its character
- • Practice very slowly at first to ensure every note is clean and even
- • The riff should feel hypnotic and meditative, not rushed
Dynamic Contrast (Clean vs Distorted)
BeginnerSwitching between the quiet, chorus-effected clean verse tone and the loud, distorted chorus tone - the hallmark of the grunge quiet-loud dynamic
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
Clean: F#m - E riff, Distorted: F#m - A - B power chords
Tips:
- • Practice the pedal switching in time so there is no gap in the music
- • The emotional impact comes from the contrast - make the clean parts really clean
- • Don't use too much gain on the distortion - a moderate crunch is authentic
- • Practice the switch between single-note riff and power chords separately
Chorus Effect Usage
BeginnerApplying the chorus pedal effect to create the shimmering, watery clean tone that defines the song's atmospheric verse sections
Progression:
Applied to the clean F#m - E riff sections
Tips:
- • Kurt Cobain used an Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus pedal
- • Too much depth makes the tone seasick - start subtle
- • The chorus effect should make the clean tone shimmer, not wobble
- • If you don't have a chorus pedal, a slight flanger on slow setting can approximate it
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of F# minor. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:30Alternate Picking Exercise
The song opens with the iconic clean, chorus-drenched single-note riff that descends and ascends on the low strings, immediately establishing the hypnotic mood
Alternate Picking Exercise
- • This is the signature hook - every note must be clean and even
- • Use the neck pickup with chorus effect for the authentic tone
- • Alternate picking keeps the 8th notes consistent
Verse
0:30-1:05Alternate Picking Exercise
The verse continues the same clean riff underneath Kurt Cobain's subdued vocal melody, maintaining the atmospheric and introspective mood
Alternate Picking Exercise
- • The riff remains identical to the intro throughout the verse
- • Keep the dynamics controlled - the verse should stay quiet and restrained
- • Lock in with the bass, which plays a similar pattern an octave lower
Chorus
1:05-1:35Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
The chorus explodes with distorted power chords, dramatically shifting from the quiet verse with aggressive strumming and the signature vocal hook
Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
- • Kick in the distortion pedal right at the chorus transition
- • Use Drop D power chord shapes - one finger barring across three strings
- • Strum aggressively with full downstrokes for maximum impact
Bridge
2:10-2:35Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
The bridge builds tension with sustained B and D power chords over a darker harmonic palette, leading into the guitar solo
Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
- • Sustained power chords with heavy distortion and feedback
- • Let each chord ring for a full measure before changing
- • Build intensity through the bridge to lead into the solo
Solo
2:35-3:00Alternate Picking Exercise
The solo is essentially the main riff played with distortion and doubled, maintaining the song's commitment to melody over technical showmanship
Alternate Picking Exercise
- • The solo follows the same melodic contour as the main riff
- • Played with distortion rather than the clean chorus tone of the verse
- • It's doubled (two guitar tracks playing the same thing) for thickness
Outro
3:00-3:39Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
The outro repeats the chorus progression with increasing intensity and feedback, building to the final distorted climax before cutting off
Dynamic Power Chord Exercise
- • The outro builds intensity through repetition and increasing aggression
- • Allow some feedback and noise for authentic grunge character
- • The final chord should ring out and sustain with feedback
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Pickup Type:
Neck pickup for the clean riff, bridge pickup for distorted sections; single coils preferred
Alternatives:
- • Fender Jaguar
- • Fender Stratocaster
- • Any single-coil or humbucker-equipped electric guitar
Amplifier
Settings:
Gain: 3 clean, 7 distorted (use pedal for gain)
Treble: 5 (balanced, not too bright)
Middle: 6 (mid-focused Nirvana tone)
Bass: 6 (full low end for Drop D tuning)
Presence: 5 (present but not harsh)
Alternatives:
- • Fender Deluxe Reverb
- • Mesa Boogie Studio .22
- • Any clean amp with good headroom
Effects
Distortion:
Boss DS-1 or DS-2 Turbo Distortion for the chorus sections, moderate gain setting
Reverb:
Subtle spring reverb from the amp, nothing excessive
Other:
Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus pedal is essential for the clean verse tone; set to slow rate and moderate depth
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks
- • Tune to Drop D (lower the 6th string from E to D)
- • Learn the ascending-descending single-note riff on the A string
- • Practice the riff with even 8th-note timing at 90 BPM
- • Learn the basic Drop D power chord shapes for the chorus (F#5, A5, B5)
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks
- • Practice switching between clean riff and distorted power chords
- • Work on the bridge section B5-D5 chord changes
- • Play through the entire song form with proper dynamic contrast
- • Add the chorus effect to the clean sections and practice pedal switching
Time Estimate: 3-4 weeks
- • Dial in the authentic Nirvana chorus-clean and distorted tones
- • Learn the guitar solo (doubled riff with distortion)
- • Master seamless transitions between all song sections
- • Perform the full song with emotional dynamics and controlled feedback
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Forgetting to tune to Drop D before playing - the riff doesn't work in standard tuning
- • Playing the riff notes unevenly - each 8th note should be the same duration
- • Using too much distortion gain, which muddies the power chords in Drop D
- • Making the clean-to-distorted transition too gradual instead of dramatic
Practice Routine
- • Tune to Drop D and warm up with the single-note riff slowly at 80 BPM
- • Practice the riff at gradually increasing tempos up to 120 BPM
- • Work on Drop D power chord shapes and transitions for 10 minutes
- • Practice the clean-distorted switching with pedals at song tempo
- • Play through the complete song with a backing track or metronome
Focus Areas
- • Even 8th-note articulation in the main riff
- • Clean-to-distorted dynamic transitions
- • Drop D power chord voicings and smooth chord changes
- • Chorus effect pedal settings and tone matching
Metronome Work
- • Start at 80 BPM playing the single-note riff with alternate picking
- • Increase to 100 BPM focusing on keeping all 8th notes perfectly even
- • At 110 BPM, add the power chord chorus sections between riff repetitions
- • Reach target tempo of 120 BPM with the full song dynamics