“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes is instantly recognizable, primarily due to its iconic, driving riff. For guitarists, this song is a fantastic entry point into learning about rhythm, power chords, and song structure. If you’ve ever wanted to play this stadium anthem, you’ve come to the right place. This lesson breaks down the 7 Nation Army Guitar Chords and rhythms step-by-step, making it accessible for guitarists of all levels, especially beginners. We’ll dissect the famous riff, explore the simple yet powerful chord progression, and even touch upon the guitar solo.
Decoding the Iconic Riff: The Heart of “Seven Nation Army”
The song’s signature hook is actually played on a bass guitar in the original recording, but it translates perfectly to guitar and is often played as a guitar riff. This riff is based on single notes and a distinctive rhythmic pattern that gives the song its unique feel. Let’s look at how to play it.
The riff centers around E notes, which, in the original example, are played on the second fret of the D string. You can also play these notes at the 7th fret of the A string or the 12th fret of the low E string – choose whichever position feels most comfortable for you. For this lesson, we’ll stick with the 2nd fret of the D string for simplicity.
Guitar Tablature Example for Seven Nation Army Riff Part 1
The rhythm is what makes this riff so interesting. The first two notes are relatively straightforward: the first E is a dotted quarter note (lasting one and a half beats), and the second is an eighth note (half a beat). The challenge comes with the last three notes.
At first glance, these appear to be quarter notes, which would create a five-beat measure in 4/4 time – impossible! However, look closely, and you’ll see a bracket with a “3” above these three notes. This indicates a quarter note triplet. This means these three notes are evenly spaced out over the last two beats of the measure.
Understanding triplets can be tricky initially. To simplify things for practice, let’s imagine the song is in 2/4 time temporarily. This means we halve all the note values: half notes become quarter notes, quarter notes become eighth notes, and eighth notes become sixteenth notes. A triplet over two beats becomes a triplet over a single beat, making it easier to count and internalize the rhythm.
The goal is to feel the triplet as three evenly spaced notes within a single beat. Try counting “1-trip-let, 2-trip-let…” or use a word with three syllables and say it evenly across a beat, like “EL-E-PHANT”. Tapping your foot steadily to the beat can also help you internalize this rhythm. Once you’re comfortable, you can transition back to the 4/4 timing and apply the triplet feel across two beats. Remember, the key is to make the three notes of the triplet sound even, not rushed or uneven.
Powering Up with Power Chords: G5 and A5
The next section of “Seven Nation Army” introduces power chords. Power chords are a fundamental part of rock and roll guitar, known for their simplicity and powerful sound. In this song, we primarily use two: G5 and A5.
These chords are played in straight eighth notes, providing a driving and energetic contrast to the rhythmic riff. Here’s how it looks in musical notation:
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There are various ways to play power chords. The original recording features multiple guitar parts, some using two-string power chords and others three-string. A common and full-sounding approach is to use three-string power chords.
For a G5 power chord, you can use the shape with your index finger barring across the 3rd fret of the low E, A, and D strings (3-5-5-X-X-X). For A5, simply move this same shape up two frets (5-7-7-X-X-X). Alternatively, you can use the root on the A string (5th string) for both. For G5 root 5, it would be (X-10-12-12-X-X) and for A5 root 5 (X-12-14-14-X-X). Experiment and find what sounds and feels best for you. The key is to get a solid, chunky sound that fits the song’s energy.
Full Chords and Expanding the Sound
“Seven Nation Army” also utilizes fuller chords, built upon the foundation of the bass line riff. In the original recording, there are layered guitar parts, including one playing root 5 power chords and another playing full major chords with a slide.
The example below demonstrates a version with full chords, providing a richer harmonic texture:
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This section uses chords that follow the same root notes as the initial riff. You can use root 5 power chords for this section as well, which are power chords where the root note is on the A (5th) string. For example, the first chord based on E would be an E5 power chord rooted on the 7th fret of the A string.
Another layer in the original recording involves a slide guitar playing full major chords. While a slide isn’t essential to learn the song, it adds a distinct texture. For simplicity, you can play full major chords without a slide. For example, for the E based chord, you could play an E major chord.
The open A chord shape becomes particularly useful here. If you are using the open A chord in the power chord section, your fingers are already in a position that can easily slide up and down the neck to form other chords in this section. By barring across the second fret for an A chord and then sliding, you can efficiently play the chord progression.
Song Structure: Putting It All Together
“Seven Nation Army” has a relatively simple and repetitive structure, making it easier to learn. The song revolves around the sections we’ve discussed: the riff, power chords, and full chords.
Here’s a basic layout of the song’s structure:
- Intro: Riff (Example 1)
- Verse 1: Riff (Example 1)
- Pre-Chorus: Power Chords (Example 2)
- Verse 2: Riff (Example 1)
- Pre-Chorus: Power Chords (Example 2)
- Guitar Solo: Full Chords (Example 3)
- Verse 3: Riff (Example 1)
- Pre-Chorus/Outro: Power Chords (Example 2)
Between the second and third verses, there’s a guitar solo. This solo, originally played with a slide, can be adapted for standard guitar playing.
Simplified Guitar Solo
The guitar solo in “Seven Nation Army” is based primarily on the E minor pentatonic scale. This scale is a staple for rock and blues guitar solos and is relatively easy to learn.
The solo is played over the full chord progression (Example 3). While the original solo uses a slide and incorporates some notes outside the pentatonic scale for a slightly dissonant effect, you can simplify it by focusing on the E minor pentatonic scale.
Here’s a simplified approach to the solo, focusing on the E minor pentatonic scale in a common position:
[Diagram of E Minor Pentatonic Scale – could be added visually]
The solo in the original recording also includes a double stop (playing two notes at once) at the 7th fret of the D and A strings (A and E notes). This creates a slightly dissonant sound against the E chord being played by the rhythm guitar. You can incorporate this double stop into your simplified solo for a touch of authenticity.
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When transitioning from the solo back to the verse riff, the song typically goes back to the power chord section (Example 2) before returning to the main riff.
Final Thoughts and Practice Tips
Learning 7 nation army guitar chords is a rewarding experience for any guitarist. Its iconic riff and straightforward structure make it a great song to learn early on. The key to mastering this song is to get comfortable with the rhythmic riff and the transitions between sections.
Practice the triplet rhythm slowly and deliberately until it becomes natural. Experiment with different ways to play the power chords and find what sounds best on your guitar. Once you can smoothly transition between the riff, power chords, and full chord sections, you’ll be well on your way to playing the entire song.
Don’t be afraid to count out loud as you practice the rhythms. It can significantly help you internalize the timing. And most importantly, have fun with it! “Seven Nation Army” is a powerful and engaging song to play, and with a little practice, you’ll be rocking out to it in no time. Stay tuned for a future lesson where we explore creating an acoustic guitar arrangement of “Seven Nation Army”!
