Hello! Below you'll find my "Come As You Are" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Nirvana has only a few chords, but of course there is that iconic riff as well. The original is guitar based, but it translates well to piano, and I find a piano version brings out a different dimension of this beautiful composition.
Enjoy!
Come As You Are Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Come As You Are:
Come As You Are Chords & Lyrics
+ 4 + ||: 1 (+) 2 + 3 + 4 + | 1 + 2 + (3) + 4 + :||
D D D# ||: E G E G E E D# | D A D D A D D#
D D D# ||: E G E G E E D# | D A D D A D D#
[Intro]
Riff X 2
Em D Em D - With Riff
[Verse 1]
Em D Em
Come as you are, as you were
D Em
As I want you to be
D Em
As a friend, as a friend
D Em
As an old enemy
D Em
Take your time, hurry up
D Em
Choice is yours don't be late
D Em
Take a rest, as a friend,
D
As an old
[Interlude]
Esus4 G
Memoriiiiiiiiiiiiia X4
[Verse 2]
Em D Em
Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
D Em
As I want you to be
D Em
As a trend, as a friend
D
As an old
[Interlude]
Esus4 G
Memoriiiiiiiiiiiiia X4
Esus4 G
Memoriiiiiiiiiiiiia X4
[Chorus]
Asus4 Csus2 Asus4 Csus2
Well I swear that I don't have a gun
Asus4 Csus2
No I don't have a gun
Asus4 Csus2
No I don't have a gun
[Solo]
Em D Em D X5
[Interlude]
Esus4 G
Memoriiiiiiiiiiiiia X4
[Chorus]
Asus4 Csus2 Asus4 Csus2
Well I swear that I don't have a gun
Asus4 Csus2
No I don't have a gun X4
[Interlude]
Em D Em D
Memoriiiiiiiiiia
Em D Em D Esus4
Memoriiiiiiiiia
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Come As You Are Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Come As You Are" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Come As You Are" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
