If you picked up a guitar because you wanted to play anthemic, cathartic rock, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is one of those songs that feels like a rite of passage. This guide focuses on practical, user-friendly ways to play the song in Em so you can learn the riff, nail the dynamics, and make it sound like a band rather than a practice room. I’ll walk you through chord shapes, power-chord voicings, rhythm and strumming tips, a short tab for the iconic riff, and ideas for adapting the song to your skill level.
Why play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in Em?
Transposing the original riff down into Em makes the shapes and transitions easier for many players while preserving the song’s raw energy. Em-centered voicings mean you can use open strings, simple power chords, and familiar bar shapes without contorting your hand. If you search for smells like teen spirit chords em, you’ll find versions ranging from stripped acoustic takes to electric, distorted arrangements; this article consolidates practical choices so you can pick what fits your gear and experience.
Understanding the basic progression
The core of the song is built on strong, repeated power-chord moves and a “quiet verse / loud chorus” dynamic contrast. In the Em transposition, the power-chord sequence most commonly used is:
E5 - A5 - G5 - C5 (Repeat)
Those power chords translate to fingerable shapes you can play all over the neck. Here are convenient positions that sound full on an electric guitar with distortion but also work clean for acoustic covers:
- E5: 0-2-2-x-x-x (open low E string + 2nd fret on A and D strings)
- A5: x-0-2-2-x-x (open A with two-note dyad) — common open shape: x022xx
- G5: 3-5-5-x-x-x (root on 3rd fret of low E string)
- C5: x-3-5-5-x-x (root on 3rd fret of A string)
These shapes let you move quickly between positions. If you prefer bar shapes on the E string, use them — the important thing is the root-fifth power chord sound that keeps the song punchy.
Intro / riff tab (simplified, Em)
This short tab captures the way many players translate the iconic riff into the Em version. Play it with a steady down-up strum pattern, palm-muting in the verses, and fuller ringing chords in the choruses.
e|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| B|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| G|----------------|----------------|----------------|----------------| D|-2--2--2--2-----|-2--2--2--2-----|-5--5--5--5-----|-5--5--5--5-----| A|-2--2--2--2-----|-0--0--0--0-----|-5--5--5--5-----|-3--3--3--3-----| E|-0--0--0--0-----|----------------|-3--3--3--3-----|----------------| E5 A5 G5 C5
Tip: accent the first beat of each bar and use relaxed wrist motion. The classic Nirvana feel comes more from energy and timing than from technical perfection.
Strumming, dynamics, and feel
One of the most important lessons I learned playing this song live: it’s not about fast fingers, it’s about contrast. The verses are palm-muted and tight; the choruses explode with open, ringing power chords. Try this approach:
- Verse: Light overdrive, palm-muted strums, emphasize one downstroke per beat. Keep it gritty.
- Pre-chorus build: Loosen the mute a little, add more aggressive downstrokes, increase pick attack.
- Chorus: Full open power chords with heavier gain, fuller amp presence or a bit of reverb for width.
Practice moving from palm-muting to open chords quickly. I used a small metronome exercise: practice four bars at 80 BPM, then jump to 120 BPM for the chorus bars; it trains your hand to change attack under tempo stress.
Alternate voicings and acoustic adaptations
If you want to play this on an unplugged guitar or give a melodic twist, try these options:
- Open-chord approximation: Em - G - C - A (this changes flavor but works for singalongs).
- Single-note riffing: play the root notes on low E/A strings with slight slides for a grunge-y feel.
- Capo and transposition: put a capo on the 1st fret and play the same shapes if you want to match other vocal ranges.
Be mindful: substituting full open chords can alter tension and harmonic color (A major introduces a C# that isn’t in E natural minor), but these adaptations can make the song easier for group singalong or acoustic duo arrangements.
Gear and tone advice
To get closer to the original texture, consider these practical tips based on experience touring small clubs and rehearsing the song to find what “feels” right:
- Guitar: A humbucker-equipped guitar or a single-coil with a hot pickup setting gives you body. Both work; adjust accordingly.
- Amp: Moderate distortion (gain around 4–6 on a 10 scale), mid-forward EQ, and slight presence. Too much high end will make the chords sound brittle.
- Pedals: A basic overdrive or fuzz and a small amount of plate-like reverb. Delay is optional and should be subtle.
- Strings & pick: Medium picks and fresh strings help with attack and tone; many players prefer .010–.046 for balance of playability and punch.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
When teaching this song to students, I often see the same problems — and the same steps help fix them fast.
- Poor timing: Practice the four-chord loop slowly with a metronome, accenting beat one of each bar. Then increase speed gradually.
- Muted choruses: Don’t over-palm in the chorus — let the chord ring and lift the mute just before the chorus hits.
- Inconsistent voicings: Stick to one set of shapes for a section so your bandmates can lock to a consistent tone.
Adapting to vocals and band settings
If you’re playing with a singer, test different keys. The Em version is comfortable for many male and female vocalists, but if the melody feels too low or high, transpose up or down in half-step increments or use a capo. Communication with the drummer and bassist about dynamics is essential: the original song’s power comes from everyone tightening in the verse and exploding together in the chorus.
Learning progression: step-by-step practice plan
To move from zero to stage-ready, follow this three-week routine I devised for students learning the riff:
- Week 1: Master the chord shapes and transitions at 60–80 BPM. Play the progression for 10–15 minutes daily until transitions are clean.
- Week 2: Add palm-muting and dynamic contrast. Work on the intro riff timing and start singing along at reduced dynamics.
- Week 3: Rehearse with backing tracks or a drummer at full tempo (≈116 BPM). Refine tone, stage presence, and vocal/guitar coordination.
Further arrangements and creative ideas
Once you have the basic Em arrangement down, consider these creative directions:
- Slow, reverb-soaked ballad version using single-note arpeggios of the Em progression.
- Staccato punk cover—tighten up the strums, speed up the tempo, and accent snare hits with chord hits.
- Looped ambient reinterpretation—use an octave pedal and long delay to create a textured wash before erupting into the chorus.
Each approach highlights a different aspect of the song: melody, rhythm, or atmosphere. Try each to see which best suits your voice and band context.
Resources and tabs
If you want downloadable chord sheets or backing tracks, a few reliable arrangements exist online. For a quick starting point and alternate transpositions, check this resource: smells like teen spirit chords em. Use backing tracks to lock in tempo and dynamics — it’s the fastest way to sound like a cohesive band.
Final thoughts
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” in Em is a great balance between authenticity and accessibility. The power-chord framework keeps the song simple to learn while allowing room for expressive dynamics and tone experimentation. Focus on timing, contrast, and commitment to the dynamics — that’s what turns a competent cover into one that feels alive.
Ready to play? Start slow, be patient with transitions, and keep the goal in mind: power and feel, not perfection. With the chord shapes, tab, and practice plan above, you’ll have a version you can perform confidently and adapt to your own style.
