Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)GrungeBeginnerNo Capo

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Required String Notes:Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb

How to Tune from Standard to Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)

Start in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and change 6 of 6 strings to play “Smells Like Teen Spirit”:

String	Standard	Target	What to do
String 6	E2	Eb2	Tune down a half step
String 5	A2	Ab2	Tune down a half step
String 4	D3	Db3	Tune down a half step
String 3	G3	Gb3	Tune down a half step
String 2	B3	Bb3	Tune down a half step
String 1	E4	Eb4	Tune down a half step

Recommended string gauge: .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046) · affiliate link

Song Overview & Tuning Breakdown

Kurt Cobain often recorded in Eb tuning for live performances and studio tracks to accommodate his vocal range and give the rhythm guitar a heavier punch.

Key Chord Voicings:

F5 (1-3-3-x-x-x)Bb5 (x-1-3-3-x-x)Ab5 (4-6-6-x-x-x)Db5 (x-4-6-6-x-x)

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Tunings Close to Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)

Already tuned to Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb? These tunings are just one small change away.

Standard E241 songs

E - A - D - G - B - ESame chord shapes, every string a half step higher.

D Standard / Whole-Step Down86 songs

D - G - C - F - A - DSame chord shapes, every string a half step lower.

Drop Db / Drop C#82 songs

Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - EbOnly string 6 differs: C# instead of D#.

C# Standard Tuning52 songs

C# - F# - B - E - G# - C#Same chord shapes, every string a whole step lower.

Nirvana’s Guitar Tunings

Nirvana plays 2 of 14 songs in our catalog in Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning). Most-used tunings:

Drop Db / Drop C#Db - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb3 songs
Half-Step Down / Eb StandardEb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb2 songs
D Standard / Whole-Step DownD - G - C - F - A - D2 songs
Custom Tuning (DADGBF)DADGBF2 songs
Custom Tuning (D#G#C#F#A#C#)D#G#C#F#A#C#1 song

Gear for Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning)

Strings and tools that make playing "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning) easier.

Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)

Recommended gauge .010–.046. Tension stays close to standard, so a regular set works without any setup changes.

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D'Addario Universal Micro Headstock Tuner

A headstock tuner makes switching in and out of this tuning quick, even on stage or without a mic.

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D'Addario Pro-Winder (winder + cutter)

Retuning 6 strings means a lot of turning — a winder speeds it up and trims new strings too.

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“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Tuning FAQ

What tuning is "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana in?

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is played in Half-Step Down (Eb Tuning): Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - Bb - Eb, from the lowest to the highest string.

How do I tune my guitar to play "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?

Start from standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E). String 6: tune down a half step (E2 → Eb2). String 5: tune down a half step (A2 → Ab2). String 4: tune down a half step (D3 → Db3). String 3: tune down a half step (G3 → Gb3). String 2: tune down a half step (B3 → Bb3). String 1: tune down a half step (E4 → Eb4).