7 Essential Secrets To Mastering Nirvana's 'Come As You Are' Tabs In 2025

Learning to play Nirvana's "Come As You Are" in late 2024 and 2025 is not just about memorizing a few frets; it’s about unlocking one of the most iconic, yet deceptively simple, grunge guitar riffs in history. This track, the second single from the legendary *Nevermind* album, remains a rite of passage for every aspiring guitarist and bassist, blending a dreamy, watery chorus effect with a powerful, driving rhythm section. To truly master it, you need to look beyond the basic E-Standard tuning and delve into the specifics of Kurt Cobain’s unique setup, including the full step down tuning and his essential effects pedal.

This definitive guide provides the most current and accurate information, from the exact guitar and bass tabs to the crucial gear settings used by the band. We'll break down the famous riff, the power chords, and the often-overlooked bass line that anchors the entire song, ensuring your rendition is as authentic and powerful as the 1991 classic.

The Definitive 'Come As You Are' Tabs & Tuning Breakdown

The single most important factor for achieving the authentic "Come As You Are" sound is the tuning. Kurt Cobain rarely used standard tuning, preferring a heavier, darker sound that contributed to the signature grunge aesthetic. Ignoring this detail is the number one mistake most beginners make.

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1. The Essential D-Standard (Full Step Down) Tuning

To match the album version, you must tune your guitar down one whole step. This is known as D-Standard tuning, or DGCFAD. This lower tuning gives the song its characteristic depth and melancholy tone, while also allowing for easier string bends and a heavier feel when the distortion kicks in.

• 6th String (Low E): Tune down to D
• 5th String (A): Tune down to G
• 4th String (D): Tune down to C
• 3rd String (G): Tune down to F
• 2nd String (B): Tune down to A
• 1st String (High E): Tune down to D

2. The Iconic Guitar Riff Tabs (Intro & Verse)

The main riff is played clean with a heavy chorus effect. It is a simple, repetitive line that is instantly recognizable. The key is to let the notes ring clearly, especially with the chorus engaged.

Tuning: D G C F A D (D-Standard)

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Riff Tablature:

 D|-----------------|-----------------| A|-----------------|-----------------| F|-----------------|-----------------| C|-----------------|-----------------| G|--2--2--4--4--2--|--0--0--2--2--0--| D|-----------------|-----------------| 

This riff is played four times for the intro and then continues under the verse lyrics. The notes are played on the 5th (G) string and the 4th (C) string, using the 2nd, 4th, and 0 (open) frets. The rhythm is crucial: it’s a steady, driving eighth-note pulse.

3. The Chorus Power Chords (The Loud Part)

The song transitions from the clean, melodic verse into the explosive, distorted chorus. This sudden shift in dynamics is a hallmark of the Nirvana sound. You will switch from your clean channel to a heavy distortion (like a Boss DS-1) and use simple power chords.

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Power Chords (D-Standard Tuning):

• F#5 Power Chord: (2-4-4-x-x-x) on the D, G, C strings.
• B5 Power Chord: (x-2-4-4-x-x) on the G, C, F strings.
• E5 Power Chord: (x-x-2-4-4-x) on the C, F, A strings.

The progression is F#5 - B5 - E5 - E5. Strum these with aggression and a loose wrist to capture the raw energy of the grunge era.

The Secrets to Kurt Cobain's Signature 'Watery' Tone

The dreamy, oscillating sound of the "Come As You Are" riff is not purely the guitar; it’s the result of a specific effects pedal setup. This tone is what differentiates a simple cover from an authentic recreation.

4. The Essential Electro-Harmonix Small Clone Chorus Pedal

The "watery" effect is created by a chorus pedal. Kurt Cobain famously used the Electro-Harmonix Small Clone for this track. This pedal splits the guitar signal, slightly detunes one path, and then blends them back together, creating a shimmering, oscillating effect.

Recommended Small Clone Settings:

• Rate/Speed Knob: Set it low, typically between 9 and 10 o’clock. Many players make the mistake of cranking the rate too high, which results in a fast, warbling sound. Cobain’s setting was slow and subtle.
• Depth Switch: Keep the switch in the 'Up' position for the full, deep effect.

For the chorus section, Cobain would kick on a distortion pedal, most notably a Boss DS-1 or a DS-2, to achieve the heavy, saturated guitar sound that contrasts sharply with the clean riff.

Mastering the Bass and Drums: The Nevermind Rhythm Section

While the guitar riff gets all the attention, the rhythm section—Krist Novoselic on bass and Dave Grohl on drums—is the engine that powers the song. A complete mastery of the track requires understanding their roles.

5. Krist Novoselic’s Hypnotic Bass Line (Rockschool 2024 Focus)

Krist Novoselic's bass line is the foundation of the song, often mirroring the guitar riff but played with a pick for a punchier attack. The bass is also tuned down to D-Standard (D G C F). The line is so foundational that it was included in the Rockschool (RSL) 2024 Bass Grade 1 curriculum, cementing its status as an essential rock bass line for beginners.

Key Bass Line (Starts on the G String):

 G|-----------------|-----------------| C|--2--2--4--4--2--|--0--0--2--2--0--| F|-----------------|-----------------| D|-----------------|-----------------| 

The bass line is almost identical to the guitar riff, but it is played an octave lower, giving it a deep, resonant quality that perfectly fills the low-end frequency spectrum.

6. Dave Grohl’s Powerful Drumming Dynamics

Dave Grohl’s drumming on *Nevermind* is famous for its power and precision. In "Come As You Are," he uses dynamics to build tension. The verses feature a lighter, more reserved beat, but the chorus explodes with heavy, driving crash cymbals and a powerful snare hit on the two and four beats, providing the necessary sonic contrast to the melodic verse.

The Legacy and Controversy of the Riff

7. The Unavoidable Killing Joke Controversy

No discussion of "Come As You Are" is complete without mentioning the controversy surrounding the main riff. Many listeners, including members of the band Killing Joke, pointed out the striking similarity between the Nirvana riff and the riff from Killing Joke’s 1985 song, "Eighties."

While a lawsuit was reportedly considered, it was never officially filed. The similarity is undeniable, yet the song remains a Nirvana classic. This controversy highlights the song's place in rock history, showing how musical ideas can be shared, reinterpreted, and ultimately cemented into the cultural lexicon by a band's unique voice and arrangement. The raw, emotional delivery by Kurt Cobain, combined with the groundbreaking production of the *Nevermind* album, ensured that "Come As You Are" transcended its influences to become a monumental work of the grunge era.

By focusing on the correct D-Standard tuning, the specific chorus pedal settings (the Small Clone), and the dynamic contrast between the clean verse and the distorted chorus, you can move beyond a simple cover and truly capture the spirit of one of Nirvana's most enduring tracks.