Dive into the raw emotion of Nirvana’s iconic rendition of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” with this comprehensive guitar chord lesson. Made famous during their legendary 1994 MTV Unplugged performance, this song, originally a traditional folk tune popularized by Lead Belly, resonates with its haunting melody and powerful lyrics. Whether you’re a die-hard Nirvana fan or simply looking to expand your guitar repertoire, learning “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is a rewarding experience. This guide will break down the Nirvana Where Did You Sleep Last Night Guitar Chords, strumming patterns, and even some cool bass note transitions to help you master this unforgettable song.
Unlock the Chords: Your Foundation for “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”
At its heart, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is built upon a simple yet effective chord progression. You only need to master four essential chords to play the entire song: E, A, G, and B. While there are variations and nuances you can explore, these four chords are your starting point for capturing the essence of the Nirvana unplugged version. Let’s take a closer look at each chord and how to play them.
Essential Chords for Nirvana’s Unplugged Version
Here are the basic chord shapes we’ll be using. For the A-major chord, a common approach is to use your index finger to barre across the 2nd fret of the D, G, and B strings, leaving the high E-string unplayed. This creates a full and resonant A-major sound perfect for this song.
E –––0–––––––––3–––––––––
B –––0––––2––––0––––4––––
G –––1––––2––––0––––4––––
D –––2––––2––––0––––4––––
A –––2––––0––––2––––2––––
E –––0–––––––––3–––––––––
E A G BExploring the E Chord: Power Chords and Variations
For the E chord, you have a few interesting options to match the Nirvana sound. Kurt Cobain often played an E5 power chord or a muted E, where the G string is subtly silenced. This creates a sound that’s neither distinctly major nor minor, adding to the song’s ambiguous and melancholic feel. To achieve this muted effect, try gently resting a finger on the G string to dampen its vibration. Alternatively, you could use a standard E minor chord if you prefer a slightly different flavor. For a bluesier touch, reminiscent of Lead Belly’s style, you could even experiment with an E7 chord. The choice is yours and depends on the specific tone you’re aiming for.
Tackling the B Chord: Options for Beginners
The B chord can sometimes be challenging for beginner guitarists. If you find the full B major barre chord difficult, don’t worry! You can simplify it by using a B power chord (B5). This version is easier to fret and still provides the necessary harmonic foundation. Another alternative is to use an open B7 chord shape. Experiment with these options to find what works best for your current skill level and desired sound.
Mastering the Strumming Pattern: Rhythm and Feel
Nirvana’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” employs a consistent and driving strumming pattern that is crucial to capturing the song’s rhythm. This pattern is repetitive and relatively straightforward, making it achievable for players of all levels.
The Core Strumming Pattern
The fundamental strumming pattern to learn is:
Down... up down up down... up down up down... up down up down...When counted, it breaks down like this, with emphasis on the downstrums on counts “1” and “4”:
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 +
D U D U D U D U > >Practice this pattern slowly at first, focusing on maintaining a steady rhythm and the correct sequence of down and up strums. Once you feel comfortable, gradually increase the tempo. The accents on the “1” and “4” downbeats will give the strumming pattern its characteristic groove.
Bass Note Transitions: Adding Melodic Depth
One of the signature elements of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is the subtle yet impactful bass note movement that connects the chords. These transitions add a melodic quality to the accompaniment, making the song more interesting and dynamic.
Walking Up to the A Chord: A Key Lick
Perhaps the most recognizable bass note run in the song is the quick walk-up to the A-major chord. This lick adds a distinctive flavor and is a hallmark of the song’s arrangement. It happens rapidly, so the key is to efficiently use your fretting hand fingers. Use your middle and ring fingers on your left hand to quickly play the 2nd and 3rd frets of the low E string, and then immediately transition to the A chord. Practice this transition slowly at first to build accuracy and speed.
Spicing Up the B Chord Bass Note: Adding Variation
In the intro and during instrumental sections, you can hear variations in the bass notes, especially during the B-major chord. A common technique is to briefly drop down to the low E string during the second half of the B chord measure. This adds a subtle but effective rhythmic and melodic variation. To execute this, use your index finger to quickly fret the 2nd fret of the low E string while maintaining the rest of your B chord shape. Refer to video lessons to visually grasp the timing and execution of this technique.
Tuning for Nirvana’s Sound
To perfectly match the tonality of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance, you’ll need to tune your guitar down a half step to E-flat tuning. This involves lowering each string by a half step. However, for this lesson and for general practice, standard tuning is perfectly acceptable and will allow you to play along with many tutorials and resources. Just be aware of the tuning difference if you aim for exact replication of the Nirvana recording.
Ready to Play?
Learning “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” on guitar is a fantastic way to connect with a legendary song and improve your guitar skills. By understanding the nirvana where did you sleep last night guitar chords, mastering the strumming pattern, and incorporating the bass note transitions, you’ll be well on your way to playing this iconic track. So grab your guitar, tune up (standard or E-flat!), and start exploring the haunting beauty of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”. Happy playing!
Note: For detailed chord diagrams, tablature for bass note exercises, and licensed sheet music, consider exploring resources like Musicnotes.com. Many online platforms offer sheet music and tabs that can further enhance your learning experience.
Nirvana Unplugged Performance
Where Did You Sleep Last Night Sheet Music
