Smells Like Teen Spirit — One String Guitar Tab
Nirvana
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Practice Tips
- 1Start slow — use the 0.5x speed option
- 2Focus on one note at a time
- 3Keep your fretting hand relaxed
Similar Melodies
About This Melody
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana is the song that launched grunge into the mainstream. Released in 1991 from the album Nevermind, it became an anthem for an entire generation and is widely considered one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Kurt Cobain's four-chord riff changed music forever, and its raw energy still hits just as hard today. This one-string version uses the 6th (low E) string and frets 0 through 9. The riff is built on a simple block pattern that repeats twice, making it easy to memorize while sounding massive and powerful.
How to Play
- This melody uses just the 6th string (low E string) of your guitar. The fret sequence is: 1, 1, 1, 6, 6, 0, 4, 4, 4, 9, 9, 0 — then the entire pattern repeats.
- The riff is built from two blocks that share the same shape. Each block has three parts: triple note, double note, open string.
- First block: play fret 1 three times, fret 6 twice, then the open string (0). Hit the notes with energy — this riff is meant to sound aggressive.
- Second block: play fret 4 three times, fret 9 twice, then the open string (0). Same rhythm, just shifted up the neck.
- That completes one cycle. Now repeat the entire sequence (both blocks) to complete the full riff.
- The open string (0) between blocks acts as a reset — it gives your hand a moment to jump to the next position.
- The original tempo is around 117 BPM with a driving, punchy feel. Start at half speed and focus on making the triple and double notes sound tight and even. Once the pattern clicks, push the tempo up and play it with attitude — Smells Like Teen Spirit is all about raw energy.
Common Mistakes
Playing the triple and double notes unevenly — frets 1 and 4 are played three times, frets 6 and 9 are played twice. Mixing up the count changes the feel completely. Not using the open string as a reset — the open string (0) between blocks gives you time to reposition your hand. Don't rush past it. Confusing the two blocks — block one uses frets 1 and 6, block two uses frets 4 and 9. Both follow the same rhythm but at different positions. Playing too softly — this is a grunge anthem. Pick the string with confidence and let each note punch through.