40 Easy Nirvana Songs to Play on Guitar (2024 With Tabs)

You may be a guitar player, bassist, vocalist, or just a person who likes listening to different kinds of music, but I am sure that you have heard about the band we’re about to learn some songs from.

Yes, I’m talking about Nirvana, which was an American grunge band formed in the late 1980s with their debut album called “Bleach,” but of course, I know that most people on Earth know them for releasing an absolute banger in the music industry: “Nevermind,” which became the band’s best-selling album and featured the song most musicians are sick of hearing due to its mainstream popularity, which is still present. Okay, yes, you guessed it, I just described “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” We’ll be sharing exactly how to play this and other easy Nirvana guitar songs below.

The band had three members: Kurt Cobain, who was on vocals and guitar; Krist Novoselic, on bass; and Dave Grohl, who joined as the permanent drummer in 1990.

Their songs can all be characterized by a very appropriate phrase: “raw emotions.” The instrumental parts are quite heavy, distorted, and loud, as many grunge songs of that time are, but the most interesting thing is that the compositions they wrote are not hard to learn for most beginner or intermediate guitar players, so I guess these words will inspire you to try yourself out and explore some new songs because you will most likely encounter some new ones for you on this list.

List of Easy Nirvana Guitar Songs

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit

Key	F Minor
Genre	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Smells Like Teen Spirit Tabs Here

I suggest you start the list with the absolute banger created by the band in 1991 as a song on their most successful album, “Nevermind.” Yes, it is “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The song’s “spirit” is what made it a generational anthem for disaffected youth.

It starts with one of the most recognizable and catchy guitar riffs in history, played by Kurt Cobain. It begins with a bunch of power chords, conveying the true energy of grunge.

The track is really suitable for beginners to learn because the chords used in the composition are not hard to use and play. Also, almost every single musician knows the melody by heart, so there shouldn’t be any confusion while playing the actual guitar part.

2. Come as You Are

Key	E Minor
Genre	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Come as You Are Tabs Here

I am keeping the momentum up, so I want to present you the song called “Come as You Are,” featured on the same album as Smells Like Teen Spirit (“Nevermind”). It was also written by Kurt Cobain, becoming one of Nirvana’s most iconic and famous tracks.

This particular track is known for its intro, played using the bass strings of the guitar. One of the most prominent things about it is also the tone Kurt Cobain used on the recording, which he got by using the chorus pedal, creating a special atmosphere.

Apart from the main riff, which can be a little bit complex for complete beginners, the guitar part in the verses and chorus is relatively straightforward, with simple and common chord progressions using power chords.

3. Lithium

Key	D Major
Tuning	D G C F A D
Tabs	See Lithium Tabs Here

Another hit by Nirvana that I want to mention is Lithium. The song is by the American rock band Nirvana and was released in 1992. It is also very recognizable among musicians and just music listeners, representing the style of grunge in a perfect way.

The guitar part in “Lithium” is really distinctive, matching the genre and the meaning of the composition itself. The song features a relatively simple but powerful chord progression that serves as the anchor of the instrumental part. Power chords, as you already guessed, are really common in grunge music, which gives it a really heavy and appropriate sound. The main chords repeated throughout the track are F5, Ab5, Db5, and Eb5. So, you can see that you won’t even really need to know any other intervals except for the perfect fifth to play the song.

4. In Bloom

Key	Bb Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See In Bloom Tabs Here

It happens to be so because the next song is also quite famous and one of the most recognizable songs by the band. It is called “In Bloom.” As you can see, almost every song from Nevermind turned out to be a very well-known track, especially among people who appreciate grunge.

It is achieved by creating a very catchy guitar melody that sets the mood for the composition, making it quite distinct. The thing you have to consider, even though it’s pretty obvious when you listen to the song and analyze it, is that it builds up in heaviness, progressing further.

This way, the clean and bright guitar sound played by Kurt Cobain becomes more intense and hard, so you also have to project it onto the strumming velocity you play the song with.

5. Polly

Key	G Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Polly Tabs Here

Let’s get to a song with a very dark meaning. “Polly” is a song based on a real-life situation, and if you want to Google what the lyrics are about, it featured on their iconic second studio album, “Nevermind,” released in 1991. The song was written by Nirvana’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. “Polly” is known for its haunting and melancholic atmosphere, contrasting with some of the band’s more aggressive grunge tracks.

The song starts with a somber, acoustic guitar intro, which sets the mood for the entire track. Cobain’s haunting vocals bring the lyrics to life, drawing listeners into the distressing narrative. The verses and chorus are relatively simple melodically, allowing the focus to remain on the storytelling and emotional impact of the song. “Polly” stands out as a poignant example of Cobain’s ability to write deeply introspective and emotionally charged lyrics.

The song is played in the key of E minor, and the guitar follows a straightforward chord progression throughout most of the track. The main chord progression used in the verses and chorus is E minor – G – A – D. This chord progression is repetitive but effective in complementing the song’s storytelling. The chords provide a sense of simplicity, underscoring the raw and vulnerable emotions expressed in the lyrics.

6. Drain You

Key	B Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Drain You Tabs Here

The next one is really famous, too, so I think you might already be familiar with it. It’s called “Drain You,” and it was released by the band in 1991. This one also perfectly represents the voice of this grunge era in such a memorable way.

In terms of the instrumental part, the rhythm guitar follows a chord progression that mainly revolves around the chords of F#5 and B5 in verses, shifting between these two power chords with occasional variations. This progression creates a sense of tension and release due to the tonic function of the B5 chord.

However, you can notice that in the chorus section, Kurt plays an ascending riff that starts with F#5, G#5, and A#5 power chords before returning to the main riff centered around F#5 and B5, which makes it a little bit more interesting and unexpected at some point. This song is also featured on our easy electric guitar songs list.

7. About a Girl

Key	E Minor
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See About a Girl Tabs Here

This song is pretty famous, too. However, it was featured on the “Bleach” album, which is a little bit less popular than the “Nevermind” one. The track gained much more appreciation when it was re-recorded and then included in their already-mentioned hit release in 1991.

The guitar work here shows Kurt’s songwriting approach to the music he created in general. The simplicity yet vividness of the sound is something you can’t describe just with words; you need to hear that. The song was originally played in the key of E minor. Don’t forget to tune your guitar half a step down so you can get the same sound as the one featured on the actual recording.

8. All Apologies

Key	D Major
Tuning	Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See All Apologies Tabs Here

This one is something that came out closer to the end of the band’s life, making itself a more elaborate one in terms of the sound Nirvana had been working on throughout these years. The song was released in 1993 and quickly became beloved due to its sound and emotional depth.

In terms of the melody, the track primarily revolves around simple chord progressions, mainly using standard open chords such as C, F, D, and G. These chords create a sense of melancholy that perfectly complements the introspective lyrics that Kurt came up with. Also, I can’t live with the arpeggios played on the track unnoticed because that’s what usually adds up to a more interesting melody.

9. Heart-Shaped Box

Key	A minor
Tuning	Db Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Heart-Shaped Box Tabs Here

It’s time for some more legends to enter the list; “Heart-Shaped Box” is the one most of you might have wanted to see here. The track was released in 1993 and was a significant one in the entire career of the band.

The intro of the song begins with an instrumental mood – a memorable guitar riff that repeats throughout the verses. It is played using a clean tone with a moderate amount of chorus effect, giving it a shimmering and dreamlike quality. The riff is based on a combination of power chords and single-note phrases, so beloved by Kurt that they became his go-to in writing songs and producing music. This is a very smart decision, though, because power chords allow you to use modulations without sounding clashy or misunderstood, which is definitely a huge benefit.

10. Dumb

Key	F# Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Dumb Tabs Here

Tune your guitar down a half step and be ready to meet a new guest on our list. This one is called Dumb,” and it was released in 1993, as were other songs featured on the “In Utero” album. It’s very melancholic and haunting, and this particular characteristic already makes it sound like Nirvana.

The song’s chord progression mainly revolves around simple open chords, such as G, Em, and C. Also, the chords are played with a basic fingerpicking pattern, so you won’t need to use your pick in order to replicate this particular section.

Kurt Cobain’s use of dynamics and subtle shifts in intensity add depth to the performance itself, making it deeper and more interesting. This is one of my personal favorite easy Nirvana songs to play on guitar.

11. Pennyroyal Tea

Key	A Minor
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Pennyroyal Tea Tabs Here

“Pennyroyal Tea” is a song by the iconic American rock band Nirvana from their third and final studio album, “In Utero,” released in 1993. The song was written by Nirvana’s frontman Kurt Cobain and is known for its haunting melody, introspective lyrics, and emotional depth.

The guitar part in “Pennyroyal Tea” showcases Kurt Cobain’s unique style, combining elements of punk, grunge, and alternative rock. The song features a relatively simple chord progression, but Cobain’s emotive strumming and use of dynamics add depth and intensity to the music.

The main guitar riff in the intro and verses follows a basic pattern using the following chords: E5 (022xxx), G5 (3×0033), and C5 (x355xx). This riff is played with a clean tone and is characterized by palm muting and quick, deliberate strumming. The strumming pattern adds to the song’s emotional impact, as it creates a sense of urgency and restlessness.

12. Breed

Key	F# Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Breed Tabs Here

You might know “Breed” for providing a raw grunge sound that is so well-known by many people that enjoy listening to the music, especially one created within the period of this particular decade (the song was released in 1991).

The guitar section in the track is a central element of the song’s overall impact, around which all other sounds revolve. The main riff used there is created by using palm-muted power chords, which add up to some sort of distinctiveness and heaviness in the sound itself.

It is repeated throughout most of the song and serves as the foundation for the verses and chorus. It’s a prime example of how simplicity can be incredibly effective in creating a powerful and memorable guitar part.

13. Something In The Way

Key	F Minor
Tuning	C G C F A D
Tabs	See Something In The Way Tabs Here

Yes, this legendary song could not bypass our list and not be a very important and noticeable part of it. “Something in the Way” is one of the most simple yet memorable Nirvana songs that has ever been created.

The guitar part in the track is the basement of the song, even though it uses so few chords, and even these few are really simple. The ones I am talking about right now are E Minor, G major, D major, and C major. I guess that most of the beginners who just started playing guitar at least heard about those chords; therefore, this song might be a good start for them to start exploring the genre of grunge.

14. Lounge Act

Key	B Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Lounge Act Tabs Here

This song is also worth mentioning among the band’s pieces of music. It was featured on the “Nevermind” album in 1991; therefore, you can obviously understand that it made a significant impact on grunge music as well as the other songs on the record.

The guitar section is what makes the song really prominent and interesting, even though it’s played on the lower strings and involves a combination of power chords and single-note patterns again. However, the chord progression expands a little bit in the chorus section, providing us with more sounds to comprehend and listen to within the duration of the song.

The guitar part shouldn’t bring you any difficulties because, in order to play it, you won’t even need to tune your strings up or down; you can just take your instrument and start playing the composition.

15. Territorial Pissings

Key	D Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Territorial Pissings Tabs Here

“Territorial Pissings” can be a good example of a grunge song written in the 90s, especially if we are considering the existence of such a band as Nirvana that not only kept the sound of it raw and simple but could bring that to the masses and combine that with true emotion and introspection.

The guitar part is really aggressive here due to the insane amounts of distortion used in the composition itself. In addition, you can notice that the riff is played on the lower strings of the guitar. Not only that, but there’s also the third component making it sound as it does: a fast pace, which makes the power chords of F5 and A5, which are played throughout the song, sound really vivid and bright, even though those are common choices to go with when creating a chord progression for such songs.

16. Aneurysm

Key	G Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Aneurysm Tabs Here

“Aneurysm” is more of a deep cut, but still a worthy song to look at within the framework of the topic we’re talking about today. The song was first released as a B-side to the well-known single “Smells Like Teen Spirit” but was later included in the compilation album “Incesticide” a year later. Raw rebel distortion, aggressiveness, and power—these are three words to describe the sound in general.

But talking about the guitar part in particular, guess what? The song uses power chords, which are, again, a perfect choice for a song with such an idea behind it. The song also goes with a tempo of 145 BPM and bends and slides, making the track more intricate and complex in terms of melody.

17. Sappy

Key	C# Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Sappy Tabs Here

This one is also a lesser-known song compared to other big hits written by the band. It was originally recorded in 1988 and was an outtake from the “Bleach” album. It was later released on the “No Alternative” compilation album in 1993 and on the “In Utero” reissue in 2013.

The song is played in standard tuning, so you won’t have to worry about looking for your tuner, and the main guitar riff is played with power chords, which are pretty much repetitive, making it easier to play. Although the chorus brings us a new G5 chord that adds a little bit of flavor to the guitar part and fortifies the foundation of the song, created in the key of C# Major.

18. Stay Away

Key	F# Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Stay Away Tabs Here

Let’s use another “Nevermind” song as an example. In my opinion, “Stay Away” will be a perfect fit for the topic due to the aspects I’ll elaborate on in a second.

As in the best Nirvana traditions, the guitar part is really straightforward, aggressive, raw, simple, yet powerful, and there are some components that make it sound like this, such as the strumming pattern it’s played with, the muted intro, and the solo spiced up with bends and slides. You can even see that the song uses the inverted power chord of D (D5) with an A note over it, so be attentive while playing the song because if you accidentally strum extra strings, it might affect the quality of the sound in general, making it unpleasantly dissonant.

19. School

Key	E Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See School Tabs Here

The next song I want to mention was released in 1989 and was featured on the album “Bleach,” the band’s debut, which formed their future sound and style.

The song is in the key of E major, which is one of my personal favorites due to the way it makes you feel, combining notes of the scale into different chords. Although, since you’ll only have to use the interval of the perfect fifth to play it (the first note of a major scale and the fifth one, which together create a power chord, also known as a “fifth chord”), The sound of these chords is neither major nor minor due to the lack of the third note that would determine this exact parameter.

20. Love Buzz

Key	Eb Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Love Buzz Tabs Here

The next one was recorded by the band as a cover of Shocking Blue’s song “Love Buzz,” originally performed in 1969. They created and showed their own version of this composition, which, by the way, definitely helped the track gain much more popularity.

The most interesting part about the song is that it is not afraid of using dissonant chords, even though the sound is distorted, and even the slightest move can ruin the whole cohesiveness and solidness of a melody. But this one really shows that if used properly, they can also add up to a great sound. My recommendation is to use a lot of velocities when playing it, creating some room for emotional expression as well as fitting the downstroke strumming pattern used in the beginning.

21. Plateau

Key	E Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Plateau Tabs Here

The next song’s name is “Plateau,” and I hope that this particular thing is never going to happen to you on your journey of mastering your guitar skills and expanding your knowledge. Anyway, the song was released in 1993 and was pretty much recognizable, even though there were bigger hits created by the band. The composition was originally written by Meat Puppets, but Nirvana performed it as a cover track on the MTV Unplugged show.

Put away your pick because in order to play this song, you’ll need to use your fingerpicking skills. Also, don’t forget that the song is not in standard tuning; you have to tune all the strings half a step-down.

In my opinion, the song won’t be hard for you to learn because the chords are pretty simple and repeat throughout the duration of the song.

22. Sliver

Key	C Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Sliver Tabs Here

The next song, Sliver,” was originally a single released in 1990. The lyrical part is about Kurt’s childhood and the troubles he encountered back then; therefore, as you might have already guessed, it is reflected musically.

Speaking of the instrumental part itself, it represents Kurt’s style, combining catchiness with some sort of punk-inspired sound. However, the song definitely stands out from the other songs that he was working on; this one actually uses inversions and creates a very pleasant bass sound, so you might need to think about what note you should put on top of your chords when creating inverted variations of them. You can also notice that the track revolves around lower strings, which gives it a heavy and grungy feel.

23. Been a Son

Key	A Major
Tuning	D A D G B E
Tabs	See Been a Son Tabs Here

The song “Been a Son” was released in 1992 as a part of “Incesticide.” The track is a great representative of the grunge sound of the early 90s, combining certain traits we will talk about in a second.

You can actually see that the tuning is now different – the absolute king of tunings when we’re talking about such songs is Drop D. To reach the sound it gives, you don’t even have to sit for a lot of time over your tuner and try to get each sting to its own note. You will only need to tune the lower E string down so it becomes a lower D string, and that is it; you are good to go!

The chord progression isn’t really hard, especially in the chorus, consisting of the two simple power chords, which are G5 and C5.

24. Molly’s Lips

Key	A Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Molly’s Lips Tabs Here

This is a song performed by Nirvana in 1992 and featured on the “Incesticide” compilation album, but it was originally written by The Vaselines, which is a Scottish band. Nirvana’s version was more of a deep cut and was a B-side track; therefore, you might have never heard about it before.

The guitar part uses standard tuning, which takes away the need to retune your guitar, which can save you a lot of time, especially when you’re performing.

The main riff consists of power chords played on the A and D strings, which can also be called the fifth and fourth ones. The chords are D5 and G5, which are power chords again, perfectly matching and fortifying the distorted guitar sound Kurt is playing throughout the track.

25. Oh, Me

Key	Ab Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Oh, Me Tabs Here

It’s time to tune your guitar half a step down, so each string is a flat note. The next choice of mine is “Oh, Me,” which is actually a cover, too, written and performed by Vashti Bunyan in 1970 but also played by Nirvana in 1993.

The guitar part sounds really good because of two main reasons: first one is the guitar Kurt plays there, which is a legendary one of the brand that goes by the name of Martin, and the second is that the chord progression is really simple yet good. Just listen to the track analytically and you’ll get what I mean. You can also notice amazingly performed slides that fit really well in this composition.

26. Lake of Fire

Key	Db Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Lake of Fire Tabs Here

Another song from the “MTV Unplugged” album, which was released in 1993 and was an outstanding one among Nirvana’s discography, The track was originally written by Meat Puppets, but Nirvana made an excellent cover that you should obviously check out and learn to play.

The guitar section uses fingerpicking throughout the duration of the song, creating certain dynamics that really make up the whole vibe of the song, emphasizing certain notes and subduing the sound of others, creating a feeling of distinction between them.

It also follows a simple chord progression that contributes to the general mood of the composition. You will also need to tune your guitar half a step down in order to get the sound featured on the record.

27. Big Cheese

Key	B Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Big Cheese Tabs Here

The next one was released as one of the first songs by Nirvana and was also included in their first album.

The song is played in standard tuning, and I can definitely point out that the guitar is really prominent here, which is certainly one of the things that distinguishes this particular genre and Kurt’s unique approach to songwriting and creating melodies.

The chord progression revolves around the obscure key of B Minor. I personally think that the guitar part would be a great choice for beginners. The song starts with a series of palm-muted notes on the low E string, which are then followed by power chords, which became such a beloved trait of the band’s style and sound.

28. Mexican Seafood

Key	C# Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Mexican Seafood Tabs Here

The next one is not a very well-known song by the band, but it is definitely worth mentioning, especially considering that it fits the context of this list pretty well. It was released on the “Incesticide” album in 1992.

As for the guitar part, I can say that it is played in a half-step down tuning, so don’t forget to tune your guitar with precision since all the notes are flat ones; therefore, it’s easy to miss the point of the note being of the pitch needed.

The guitar riff is in the key of C# Major, being played with a prominent distortion effect and using power chords, which are great for people who have just started playing such songs because they will only need to press two notes to play them right.

29. Blew

Key	C# Major
Tuning	C G C F A D#
Tabs	See Blew Tabs Here

This is the song that is also a deep cut at some point, but that only means it’s more interesting to be discovered and learned. The track is really intense and heavy, as in the best traditions of Nirvana.

You can already guess that the guitar part will not be hard to learn, but I want to add that even though the chord progression is simple, that doesn’t mean it is bad – quite the opposite, since it fulfils its function in a really good way. The song is played in the key of C# major, creating a very interesting sound and vibe, especially for such a style of music. You will also have to sit with your tuner for some time because the actual tuning the song is played in is not very common or usual, but that only means that you’re about to try something new and interesting!

30. Scoff

Key	F# Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Scoff Tabs Here

This one definitely has something inside of it that makes many people who are into Nirvana’s music quite enough to discover their deep cuts like the track. It was released in 1989.

In order to play this song properly, you will definitely need to practice your bends because the song uses them quite a lot, and it’s always better to be precise with them than not. The main chords you’ll need to play are the fifth ones, also known as power chords, which are a common trait of such guitar riffs with much distortion applied to them to make them sound heavy and fit the general style of a composition. The song is played in the key of F# Minor, which certainly fits the mood it is trying to convey.

31. Dive

Key	E Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Dive Tabs Here

The next song is a very important deep cut in the band’s discography; therefore, it is definitely worth learning and nailing by you so you can expand your knowledge and improve your skills!

And speaking of the track itself, you can notice that the instrumental part is a little bit more complex but still learnable and, by all means, interesting. You can also see that it is in standard tuning, so you won’t have to spend a lot of time with your tuner in order to get the most precise tone, especially with flat notes.

The riff includes some sophisticated playing tricks that you should definitely learn to play or at least familiarize yourself with (slide, hammer-on, vibrato, etc.).

32. Floyd the Barber

Key	E Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See Floyd the Barber Tabs Here

The next one has a very interesting name. “Floyd the Barber” is definitely something meaningful for Kurt (or the complete opposite of that).

The spirit of grunge is definitely present throughout the whole duration of the composition, which perfectly combines such things as the tuning, achieved by tuning all the strings half a step down, and highly distorted riffs, which are also a little bit more complex than other songs by the band but still playable for beginner or intermediate players. The track mainly uses power chords, so you will also need to learn some information about them, which will not be a tedious task due to the fact that their structure is pretty simple and quite learnable.

33. Tourette’s

Key	Bb Minor
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Tourette’s Tabs Here

The next one is from one of Nirvana’s last releases. It’s called Tourette’s,” and it was released in 1993.

The song is in standard tuning, which is really convenient. The key is Bb Minor, which is a quite interesting choice that creates a cool centre-point for the chord progression, which is, by the way, pretty fast, so you might need to practise the speed with which you play these chords in order to keep up playing well at this tempo. The power chords are mostly played on the low E and A strings, making the sound more deep and aggressive. The picking speed and velocity are really intense, so don’t forget to mind this particular aspect while playing the guitar part.

34. Swap Meet

Key	D Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Swap Meet Tabs Here

The song “Swap Meet” is one that I really want to mention here because of some really interesting reasons you might be interested to know about.

Even though the general mood of the song is quite aggressive and relentless, the key, or otherwise, the first note of the scale around which the chords are built, is D, and the mode of this first chord here is major, making it sound really positive when played in a certain way; therefore, it clashes a little bit with the general perception about such songs, at least for me.

And the second one is that the song is really simple, indeed, but these sections of the actual guitar part vary a little bit, which creates a very cool diversity that is definitely likeable to the ear.

35. Stain

Key	E Minor
Tuning	D A D G B E
Tabs	See Stain Tabs Here

Yes, you will have to bring your tuner with you again, but now you only have o tune the lower e string down so it becomes D, making the tuning of your guitar something that’s called “Drop D,” which is a really common and frequently used ones within the style of grunge music.

The guitar part still keeps being built with power chords that definitely add more “power” to the song. In general, it’s pretty much simple and should , using power chords and dissonance to create a sense of tension and urgency. The song’s structure is relatively simple, with a repetitive and driving rhythm that adds to its intensity.

36. Sifting

Key	C Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Sifting Tabs Here

The next choice of mine happens to be “Sifting,” which seems to be pretty popular among the songs of similar success status produced by Nirvana, so you might have already heard something about it.

The instrumental part is the queen of simplicity yet good sound; the key of C Major, which is considered to be one of the most basic ones, is also played on the guitar using standard tuning of E A D G B E, making it more accessible for people who either do not like spending time retuning all the strings or just don’t understand how to do it properly. I can also notice a great combination of power chords combined with one-note passages, creating some sort of diverse sound throughout the whole duration of the track itself.

37. Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam

Key	A Major
Tuning	E A D G B E
Tabs	See Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam Tabs Here

The next song wasn’t originally written by Nirvana, instead being a composition by The Vaselines, which is the band that hails from Scotland. However, the cover made by Nirvana, which was then featured on the “MTV Unplugged in New York” album, deserves to take its place on the list here because the band’s variation and unique interpretation of the song truly deserve your attention.

The chords used for the song are really simple, and there are only four of them: G, D, C, and Gsus4, so even a beginner can try themselves and learn this song, which is, by the way, in the key of A Major. However, as you can see, the chord progression never arrives at that point of resolution hidden in the chord of A major, creating a sense of tension.

38. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle

Key	A# Major
Tuning	D A D G B E
Tabs	See Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle Tabs Here

This song really has a long name, and I believe that it actually fits the general concept of it somehow. The track was released in 1993.

The guitar part is played in Drop D tuning (D A D G B E), which allows for a heavier and fuller sound, making the composition really deep and interesting in terms of the sound it creates.

The main riff of the song is quite recognizable, beginning with a sliding power chord followed by a series of palm-muted power chords played on the open D string and the A string, which makes for a perfect intro that leaves you anticipating the next step the melody might decide to take in the future.

39. You Know You’re Right

Key	Ab Major
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See You Know You’re Right Tabs Here

In order to play the next song, you will have to tune all of the strings of your guitar half a step down so you can reach a lower and deeper sound, getting close to the original recording. The song was featured on one of the band’s compilation albums.

The guitar part is one of the essential aspects of the song that creates the vibe the song conveys, so you should definitely pay enough attention to that. A very good thing for you as a guitar player is the fact that it uses a combination of palm muting and open strumming, so you can practice switching from one to the other while also enjoying the melody in general instead of just playing around with various exercises.

40. The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie Cover)

Key	C# Minor
Tuning	Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb
Tabs	See The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie Cover) Tabs Here

And the actual banger comes into play here: “The Man Who Sold The World,” which is a song originally written by David Bowie but also one that Nirvana made a great cover of, making even more people adore the composition, bringing something new to it, and at the same time refreshing the slight feeling of nostalgia in the heads of older listeners.

The guitar part will require you to learn a very cool fingerpicking pattern that adds depth and richness to the song. You will also have to tune your guitar half a step down, but believe me, all of these efforts will pay off when you master the composition, because it really deserves your attention as a guitarist or just a person who is into music.