Difficulty: Easy – Intermediate
Composer – Green Day
Where to find this song – Dookie track # 10
Release Date – February 1994
The Band:
Mike Durnst – bass, vocals
Billie Joe Armstrong – guitar, vocals
Tre Cool – drums
The Bio:
Out of all the post-Nirvana American alternative bands to break into
the pop mainstream, Green Day were second only to Pearl Jam and Soundgarden
in terms of influence. In truth, Green Day were simply punk revivalists,
recharging the energy of speedy, catchy three-chord punk-pop songs.
Though their music wasn’t particularly innovative, they brought the
sound of late-’70s punk to a new, younger generation.
Verse
Guitar
The verse to this song is rather easy. Notice that the first and third
measures are identical, and the second and fourth are as well. You will
be palm-muting the chords as well. To begin the first measure, place
your 1st finger on the third fret on the “low E” string. Place
your 3rd and 4th fingers on the fifth frets on the “A” string
and the “D” string. Next, you will need to play the fifth
fret on the “A” string with your 1st finger, and the seventh
frets on the “D” string and the “G” string with
your 3rd and 4th fingers. Don’t forget the open notes in between chord
changes.
The second measure is also easy. All you need to do is place your 1st
finger on the seventh fret on the “A” string. Place your 3rd
and 4th fingers on the ninth frets on the “D” string and the
“G” string. Use your 2nd finger to play the eighth fret on
the “B” string. For the next part of the measure you can either
use your 1st finger on the third fret on the “A” string and
your 4th finger barred on the fifth frets of the “D” string,
the “G” string, and the “B” string – OR – you can
use both 3rd and 4th fingers to play the frets, allowing your 4th finger
to cover the “B” string and the “G” string.
Bass
The bass part is pretty fun. Begin with your 2nd finger on the fifth
fret on the “D” string. Next, play that about three times,
and then use your 1st finger to play the fifth fret on the “G”
string. Then all you have to do is move your 1st finger to the fourth
fret on the same string, and then lift off, picking the note. You just
performed a pull-off on the bass. You will then go to the “A”
string with your 2nd finger and play the fifth fret a few more times.
Then. alternate your 1st and 2nd fingers on the “D” string,
finally pulling off the string and playing it open to end the measure.
For the second measure, all you will have to do is use your 1st finger
to play the second fret on the “D” string. Also use your 1st
finger to play the second fret on the “G” string as well.
Then, hammer-on to the fourth fret with your 3rd or 4th finger, depending
on the comfortability of your fingers.
For the last part, use your 1st finger to play the third fret on the
“A” string. Hammer-on with your 2nd finger to the fourth fret,
then your 3rd finger to the fifth fret, and slide that finger to the
seventh fret, all on the same string.
Chorus
Guitar
For this guitar part, notice that once again the first and third measures
are the same, as are the second and fourth. Begin the first guitar part
of the measure by using your 2nd and 3rd fingers to play the second
frets on the “D” string and the “G” string. Allow
the “A” string to play open.
For the second measure, place your 1st finger on the third frets on
the “A” string, and place your 3rd and 4th fingers on the
fifth frets of the “D” string and the “G” string.
Bass
This bass part is really easy. Begin the measure with open notes about
seven times, and then place your 1st finger on the second fret on the
“A” string. Then, use your 2nd finger to play the third fret
on the same string. You will next need to pick the “G” string
open once, and then hammer-on to the second fret with your 1st finger.
Don’t forget the open notes at the end of the measure. As you can see
the next two measures are identical, except at the very end. Instead
of a hammer-on, you will be playing a pull-off. Use your 4th finger
on the fifth fret, and pull-off with your 3rd finger onto the fourth
fret.