Few combinations are as arresting as imagining Patti Smith's raw, spoken-word intensity layered over the grunge anthem "Smells Like Teen Spirit." If you've arrived here searching for Patti Smith Smells Like Teen Spirit guitar chords, this article is tailored to help you translate that collision of styles into a playable, expressive guitar arrangement you can rehearse, record, or perform live.
Why adapt "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in Patti Smith’s style?
As a guitarist and longtime student of reinterpretation, I’ve found that style-first covers reveal new facets of a song: shifting vocal phrasing, changing dynamics, and reimagined chordal textures. Patti Smith’s approach tends toward conversational phrasing, sustained dynamics, and a poetic, sometimes urgent, delivery—qualities that make the familiar four-chord angst of Nirvana feel fresh when reworked. This article shows how to keep the song’s core power while reshaping its guitar parts for an art-punk, piano-backed or stripped acoustic presentation.
Quick chord chart (playable on guitar)
Below is a practical chord version that preserves the riff’s harmonic thrust while being friendly to strummed acoustic or overdriven electric tones. These are simple open and barre chord shapes that you can voice to sound punchy or haunting depending on tone and attack.
Intro / Riff (power chords feel, palm-muted or open) F5 | Bb5 | Ab5 | Db5 (repeat) Strummed chord version (basic) Fm | Bbm | Ab | Db Optional capo: Capo 1 and play shapes as Em / Am / G / C for a slightly brighter timbre.
Power chords will give you the original grit; moving to full minor chord voicings gives the piece a more melodic, singer-songwriter tone suited to a Patti Smith-inspired interpretation.
Chord shapes and fingerings (standard tuning, no capo)
Use standard E A D G B E tuning unless otherwise noted.
Fm x-8-10-10-9-8 (barre on 8th) - or - 1-3-3-1-1-1 (barre at 1 for open-ish voicing) Bbm x-1-3-3-2-1 (barre at 1) Ab 4-6-6-5-4-4 Db x-4-6-6-6-4 or x-4-6-6-6-x (power or full) F5 1-3-3-x-x-x (power chord) Bb5 x-1-3-x-x-x Ab5 4-6-6-x-x-x Db5 x-4-6-x-x-x
If you prefer a brighter setting, capo on the 1st fret and use Em / Am / G / C shapes. That will let you sing higher with less strain and produce chiming open voicings reminiscent of jangly punk covers.
Strumming and rhythm: give it Patti’s conversational pulse
Patti Smith’s vocal approach often reads like spoken poetry—timing is elastic, and dynamics ebb and flow with the text. Rather than slavishly replicating Nirvana’s strict 4/4 power-chord onslaught, try these rhythmic approaches:
- Intro/Verse: Fingerpicked or lightly arpeggiated strums to create space for spoken lines. Emphasize bass notes to anchor the progression.
- Pre-chorus/Chorus: Transition to full strums or aggressive downstrokes. Palm-mute the lower strings on the first bar, then open up on the second to recreate the tension/release.
- Use rubato in transitional bars—hold or delay a chord when a vocal phrase needs room. That freedom is a hallmark of Patti’s dramatic delivery.
Example strumming pattern for chorus (4/4): D-DU-UDU with heavy downstrokes on beats 1 and 3. For a fierce electric take, use straight eighth-note downstrokes with power chords.
Reharmonization ideas to evoke Patti Smith
To make the arrangement feel like a Patti Smith reinterpretation rather than a cover, experiment with these reharmonizations:
- Replace power chords with minor triads and suspended voicings: Fm → Fm(add9) or Fm7 adds an introspective color.
- Open the chorus with a drone: hold an F pedal tone and let the upper strings voice movement suggest the Bb/Ab/Db shifts.
- Introduce sparse piano or harmonium under the vocal lines—Patti often uses minimal accompaniment to highlight lyrics and cadence.
Small harmonic tweaks, like sliding between Ab and Abmaj7, can add unexpected warmth or unease, depending on your goal.
Tone and gear suggestions
Whether you’re playing acoustic or electric, tone defines the arrangement’s mood:
- Electric: Use a gritty single-channel amp with moderate gain. A slightly scooped midrange but present mids will cut through vocals without sounding muddy.
- Acoustic: Add slight compression and a touch of room reverb. Fingerstyle or hybrid picking will evoke intimacy; heavy flatpicking will push it toward punk.
- Effects: A subtle chorus during verses, and a delay + spring reverb for the choruses, can separate the vocal-like guitar lines from the rhythm parts.
Performance and interpretation tips
When you perform this adaptation, focus on phrasing and narrative. Patti Smith’s performances often feel like storytelling. A few practical tips that have helped me communicate the same kind of presence:
- Lean into breath and pause: let lines breathe before the chorus. It builds expectancy.
- Use dynamics as punctuation: soften the guitar during spoken lines, then swell into full chords when the emotional intensity requires it.
- Experiment with tempo—slowing the verse slightly and attacking the chorus creates dramatic contrast.
If you’re arranging for a band: ask the drummer to play brushes or rim clicks during verses and full snare during choruses. A bassist can sustain root notes to create a foundation while the guitar explores color tones.
Recording considerations and rights
From an artistic perspective you’ll want to capture the intimacy. Close-mic the acoustic or use a ribbon mic on electric for warmth. Keep the vocals slightly forward in the mix to preserve the spoken-word nuance.
From a legal and ethical standpoint: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is copyrighted material. If you plan to record and distribute your cover, secure the appropriate mechanical licenses and performance licenses. For public streaming or release, services and distributors typically help clear mechanical rights, but always verify rights if you intend to monetize your arrangement.
Practice routine to master this arrangement
Here’s a focused practice loop that helped me internalize similar covers without losing the song’s original drive:
- Warm-up with the chord changes at a slow tempo, ensuring clean transitions between Fm / Bbm / Ab / Db.
- Work on rhythm: practice alternating between fingerpicked verses and strummed choruses for 10–15 minutes.
- Vocal-guitar coordination: speak the lyric rhythm while playing until the phrasing feels natural; then start singing/intoning in the new style.
- Run full takes and listen back critically: adjust guitar dynamics to serve the vocal narrative rather than overpower it.
Variations and covers to study
If you want to deepen your sense of what’s possible, listen to a mix of covers that transform the source material: slowed, piano-led versions, and spoken-word reinterpretations. While I won’t catalog every rendition here, intentional listening to artists who reframe well-known songs—stripping them to their narrative bones—will inform your phrasing and arrangement choices.
For quick chord access while practicing, bookmark this resource: Patti Smith Smells Like Teen Spirit guitar chords. It’ll keep the chord shapes and progressions handy during rehearsals.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often fall into two traps: playing the original song note-for-note (which can clash with a new vocal style) or oversimplifying the chords so they lose the song’s tension. Balance is key—retain the progression’s energy with power or barre chords, but make room for expressive nuances (dynamics, tempo, timbre) that match Patti Smith’s persona.
Final thoughts
Reimagining "Smells Like Teen Spirit" through a Patti Smith lens is a rewarding creative exercise. It challenges you to think beyond the original arrangement: how do speech patterns become melody, how does silence function as an instrument, and how do sparse chord voicings convey intensity? Use these chord shapes, rhythm suggestions, and interpretive tips as a launching pad. Play with the arrangement until it feels like a living piece—one that honors the original energy while carrying your unique voice.
Questions or requests?
If you want a printable chord sheet, tablature for the riff, or a video walkthrough of the transitions and strumming patterns, mention which format you prefer and the tuning you use, and I’ll tailor the lesson further.
