“Outside” by Staind is a powerful and emotionally resonant song, renowned for its raw honesty and Aaron Lewis’s captivating vocals. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic track to learn, whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your repertoire. This guide provides everything you need to play “Outside” on your guitar, focusing on accurate Staind Outside Guitar Chords, strumming patterns, and song structure, making it easy for you to learn and enjoy this iconic song.
Tuning and Basic Chords for “Outside”
To play “Outside” just like Aaron Lewis, you’ll need to tune your guitar to standard tuning (E A D G B e). The song primarily utilizes a set of common and beginner-friendly chords, making it accessible for a wide range of players. Here are the essential chords you’ll need:
- E Major (E)
- D Major (D)
- G Major (G)
- A Minor (Am)
- A Major (A)
These chords form the foundation of both the verse and chorus sections of “Outside,” ensuring a relatively straightforward learning process.
Verse and Chorus Chord Progressions
“Outside” follows a classic verse-chorus structure, making it easy to follow and memorize. The chord progressions for each section are distinct and create the song’s dynamic feel.
Verse Chords
The verse section of “Outside” uses a repeating four-chord progression that creates a melancholic and introspective mood:
E D G Am
This progression is repeated throughout the verses, providing a solid harmonic base for the lyrics.
Chorus Chords
The chorus of “Outside” shifts to a more anthemic and powerful feel, both lyrically and musically. The chord progression for the chorus is:
E G D A
This progression is also repeated throughout each chorus, building intensity and emotional impact as the song progresses.
Strumming Pattern for “Outside”
The original article suggests a strumming pattern of D D U D D (Down, Down, Up, Down, Down). While this pattern captures the basic rhythm, listening to the song is crucial to truly nail the feel. Aaron Lewis’s acoustic guitar playing often incorporates subtle variations and dynamics.
It’s recommended to listen carefully to the song and try to emulate the rhythm and feel. Experiment with slight variations in the strumming pattern to match the nuances of the original recording. Focus on maintaining a consistent down-down-up rhythm while allowing for dynamic changes to emphasize certain beats or phrases.
Song Structure Breakdown
Understanding the structure of “Outside” is essential for playing the entire song. Here’s a breakdown of the song’s structure:
- Intro: E, D, G, Am (This intro progression is the same as the verse)
- Verse 1: E, D, G, Am (Lyrics begin – “And you…”)
- Chorus: E, G, D, A (Lyrics – “But I’m on the outside…”)
- Verse 2: E, D, G, Am (Lyrics – “All the times…”)
- Chorus: E, G, D, A
- Verse 3: E, D, G, Am (Lyrics – “All the times…”)
- Chorus: E, G, D, A
- Outro: (Essentially repeats the chorus chords to fade)
The song largely alternates between verses and choruses, making it structurally simple and easy to follow. Once you’ve mastered the verse and chorus chords and strumming, you can easily play through the entire song by following this structure.
Tips for Playing “Outside”
- Listen to the Song: The most important tip is to listen to “Outside” repeatedly. Pay attention to the rhythm, dynamics, and feel of Aaron Lewis’s guitar playing.
- Start Slow: Begin practicing slowly to get comfortable with the chord changes and strumming pattern. Gradually increase the tempo as you become more confident.
- Smooth Chord Transitions: Focus on smooth transitions between chords. Practice moving between each chord in the verse progression (E-D, D-G, G-Am, Am-E) and the chorus progression (E-G, G-D, D-A, A-E).
- Dynamics: Experiment with dynamics. Try strumming softer during the verses and with more intensity during the choruses to capture the emotional arc of the song.
- Acoustic Sound: “Outside” is primarily an acoustic song. Playing on an acoustic guitar will help you achieve the authentic sound of the track.
By focusing on these staind outside guitar chords, strumming pattern, and song structure, you’ll be well on your way to playing “Outside” by Staind. It’s a rewarding song to learn that’s both musically engaging and emotionally powerful. Keep practicing, and you’ll be playing along in no time!
