14 Recorded Songs•7 Unique Tunings
Nirvana Guitar Tunings
Nirvana has used standard and alternate guitar tunings across their recorded discography. Below you will find 14 songs with exact string notes and tuning configurations.
Nirvana Songs & Guitar Tunings
Showing 14 of 14 songs
| Song Title | Tuning required | Genre / Style | Tune Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smells Like Teen Spirit | Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbHalf-Step Down (Eb Tuning) | Grunge | Tune |
| About A Girl | D#G#C#F#A#C#Custom Tuning (D#G#C#F#A#C#) | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| all apologies | EBABDBGBBBECustom Tuning (EBABDBGBBBE) | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| All Apologies correct | Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbDrop Db / Drop C# | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| All Songs except Come As You Are Lithium On a Plain Drain You and Lounge Act | E - A - D - G - B - EStandard E | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Come As You Are | D - G - C - F - A - DD Standard / Whole-Step Down | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Heart Shaped Box | Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbDrop Db / Drop C# | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| in bloom | DAFCGDCustom Tuning (DAFCGD) | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Lithium | D - G - C - F - A - DD Standard / Whole-Step Down | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Love Buzz | DADGBFCustom Tuning (DADGBF) | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| On A Plain | D - A - D - G - B - EDrop D Tuning | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Rape me | DADGBFCustom Tuning (DADGBF) | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Sappy | Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbHalf-Step Down / Eb Standard | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
| Scentless Apprentice | Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbDrop Db / Drop C# | Alternative / Rock | Tune |
Smells Like Teen SpiritGrunge
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbAbout A GirlAlternative / Rock
Custom Tuning (D#G#C#F#A#C#)
D#G#C#F#A#C#all apologiesAlternative / Rock
Custom Tuning (EBABDBGBBBE)
EBABDBGBBBEAll Apologies correctAlternative / Rock
Drop Db / Drop C#
Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbStandard E
E - A - D - G - B - ECome As You AreAlternative / Rock
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - DHeart Shaped BoxAlternative / Rock
Drop Db / Drop C#
Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbLithiumAlternative / Rock
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - DOn A PlainAlternative / Rock
Drop D Tuning
D - A - D - G - B - ESappyAlternative / Rock
Half-Step Down / Eb Standard
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbScentless ApprenticeAlternative / Rock
Drop Db / Drop C#
Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbNirvana's Most Used Tunings
5 songsTuning Profile
Custom Tuning (D#G#C#F#A#C#)
D#G#C#F#A#C#
3 songsTuning Profile
Drop Db / Drop C#
Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb
2 songsTuning Profile
D Standard / Whole-Step Down
D - G - C - F - A - D
1 songTuning Profile
Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)
Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb
1 songTuning Profile
Standard E
E - A - D - G - B - E
1 songTuning Profile
Drop D Tuning
D - A - D - G - B - E
String Pitch Guide: Custom Tuning (D#G#C#F#A#C#)
Primary tuning reference used for 5 songs in Nirvana's catalog.
String #Pitch NoteVisual Gauge
6D#
5G#
4C#
3F#
2A#
1C#
Nirvana Guitar Tuning Overview
Nirvana utilizes a dynamic selection of guitar tunings to achieve distinct voice leading, open resonance, and chord voicings across their music. While standard tuning forms the foundation for many tracks, alternate tunings—such as drop tunings and open tunings—play a pivotal role in shaping their signature guitar sound.
Using our interactive tuner above, you can inspect each string note required for Nirvana songs, tune your guitar using microphone pitch detection, and explore chord voicings for each song.
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