How To Play Everlong by Foo Fighters on Guitar with Chords

Everlong is a timeless masterpiece by the renowned rock band, Foo Fighters. Released in 1997 as part of their second album, “The Colour and the Shape,” Everlong quickly became a classic, resonating with fans worldwide. With its distinctive guitar riffs and powerful lyrics, it remains one of the band’s signature songs to this day.

The song holds a significant place in the rock music genre, known for its unique blend of hard-hitting rock energy and emotional depth. It showcases the band’s ability to create a song that is both musically complex and emotionally stirring.

Learning to play Everlong on the guitar not only offers a thrilling challenge for musicians but also a chance to connect with a piece of rock music history.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist, mastering Everlong can be a rewarding achievement that adds a classic rock anthem to your repertoire.

Basic Requirements

Before you embark on your journey to learn Everlong on the guitar, there are a few essential items you’ll need to gather. Here’s what you must have:

1. Guitar: You can use either an acoustic or electric guitar to play Everlong. While the original song is played on an electric guitar, it translates beautifully onto an acoustic as well.
2. Pick: A guitar pick is essential for playing Everlong. The song involves strumming and picking that is easier and more precise with a pick.
3. Capo: A capo is not required for the original version of Everlong, but if you plan to play along with some versions or want to adjust the key to fit your vocal range, you might find a capo useful.

Understanding the Song Structure

Learning to play Everlong on the guitar involves understanding its song structure. Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Intro: The song starts with a memorable, distinctive riff that sets the tone of the track.
2. Verses: The verses follow the intro, carrying the main melody and narrative of the song.
3. Chorus: The chorus is the catchy, repeated part of the song that usually includes the song’s main theme or hook.
4. Bridge: The bridge provides a musical contrast to the rest of the song, often introducing new chords or a shift in rhythm.
5. Outro: The outro is the closing section of the song. In Everlong, it revisits elements from the intro and verse, bringing the song to a satisfying close.

Understanding the song structure is crucial as it helps you grasp the flow of the song and anticipate the changes between sections.

Equally important in playing Everlong is mastering the timing and rhythm. This song is known for its steady, driving beat and rhythmic guitar parts. Being able to keep time accurately is essential to capturing the energy and feel of the original track.

As you practice, pay attention to the rhythm and make sure you’re staying on time with the song. It might be helpful to use a metronome during your practice sessions to improve your timing skills.

Tuning Your Guitar for Everlong

To play Everlong accurately, you need to tune your guitar in a specific way. The song is played in Drop D tuning.

This means that the low E string, which is normally the 6th string on your guitar, is tuned down one whole step to a D note. The rest of the strings remain in standard tuning. Here’s how each string should be tuned:

• 6th String (thickest): D
• 5th String: A
• 4th String: D
• 3rd String: G
• 2nd String: B
• 1st String (thinnest): E

Proper tuning is crucial to achieving the desired sound when playing Everlong. The Drop D tuning allows for heavier, deeper sounds and makes it easier to play power chords, which are a key element of the song.

Learning the Chords

Everlong, while played in Drop D tuning, primarily utilizes power chords and open string techniques. The main chords used in the song are as follows:

• D5 (also known as D power chord)
• A5
• Bb5
• C5

Each of these chords are played with a unique finger placement and strumming pattern that gives Everlong its distinctive sound.

Here are some tips and techniques for mastering these chords:

1. Familiarize Yourself: Before playing the song, practice forming and strumming each chord individually. This will help you get comfortable with the finger placements.
2. Transition Practice: Transitioning smoothly between chords is crucial for maintaining the flow of the song. Practice moving from one chord to the next until you can do it seamlessly.
3. Strumming Technique: Pay close attention to the strumming pattern for each chord. The rhythm and dynamics of your strumming can significantly impact the overall sound of the song.
4. Slow and Steady: Start by playing the song slowly, focusing on accuracy rather than speed. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase your speed.
5. Consistent Practice: Consistency is key when learning any new song. Regular practice will help you build muscle memory and improve your performance over time.

Mastering the Riff

The iconic riff of Everlong is a key element of the song and sets the tone right from the start. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you master it:

1. Step One: Start by playing the open D string (which is the 6th string in Drop D tuning).
2. Step Two: Next, place your index finger on the 9th fret of the A string (5th string), and your ring finger on the 11th fret of the D string (4th string). Strum these three strings together.
3. Step Three: Move this same shape down two frets so your index finger is now on the 7th fret of the A string, and your ring finger is on the 9th fret of the D string. Again, strum these three strings together.
4. Step Four: Finally, move this shape down one more fret so your index finger is on the 6th fret of the A string, and your ring finger is on the 8th fret of the D string. Strum these three strings together.

Here are some practice tips to perfect the riff:

• Start Slow: When first learning the riff, play it slowly to ensure accuracy. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase your speed.
• Use a Metronome: Practicing with a metronome can help you maintain the correct tempo and improve your timing.
• Repeat: Repetition is key in mastering any guitar riff. Play the riff over and over until it becomes second nature.
• Listen to the Song: Regularly listen to the song to familiarize yourself with the sound and timing of the riff.

Playing the Verses

The verses of Everlong are played using a specific sequence of power chords. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you play them:

1. Step One: Start by playing the D5 power chord, which involves strumming the open D string (6th string in Drop D tuning) along with the 9th fret of the A string (5th string) and the 11th fret of the D string (4th string).
2. Step Two: Move this shape down two frets to form the Bb5 chord. Your index finger should now be on the 7th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 9th fret of the D string.
3. Step Three: Shift down one more fret to play the A5 chord. Your index finger should be on the 6th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 8th fret of the D string.

Repeat this sequence throughout the verses.

Here are some tips for finger positioning and strumming pattern:

• Finger Positioning: Ensure your fingers are pressing down firmly on the strings to avoid any buzzing sound. Also, make sure your fingers are not touching any adjacent strings that need to ring out.
• Strumming Pattern: The verses of Everlong have a distinct strumming pattern. Start by strumming slowly and focusing on accuracy. As you get comfortable, you can gradually increase your speed.
• Transition Between Chords: Practice the transition between the chords until it becomes smooth. This will help maintain the flow of the song.
• Consistent Practice: Just like with any other part of the song, mastering the verses requires consistent practice. Start slow, focus on accuracy, and with time, you’ll be able to play the verses like a pro.

Playing the Chorus

The chorus of Everlong, like the verses, utilizes power chords but introduces a new chord progression. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Step One: Begin with the D5 power chord – strumming the open D string (6th string in Drop D tuning), along with the 9th fret of the A string (5th string) and the 11th fret of the D string (4th string).
2. Step Two: Move to the A5 chord by shifting your fingers down to the 7th fret of the A string and the 9th fret of the D string.
3. Step Three: The next chord is the Bb5. Move up one fret from the A5 position, so your index finger is on the 8th fret of the A string and your ring finger is on the 10th fret of the D string.
4. Step Four: Finally, move up two more frets to return to the D5 position.

Repeat this sequence throughout the chorus.

The strumming pattern in the chorus is similar to that in the verses, maintaining the same energetic rhythm. However, the chord progression changes, so pay attention to the transitions between the chords.

Playing the Bridge

The bridge in Everlong introduces a change in the song’s dynamics, offering a contrast to the verses and chorus. Here’s how to play it:

1. Step One: Start with the D5 power chord – strumming the open D string (6th string in Drop D tuning) along with the 9th fret of the A string (5th string) and the 11th fret of the D string (4th string).
2. Step Two: Move this shape down to form the A5 chord. Your index finger should now be on the 7th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 9th fret of the D string.
3. Step Three: The next chord is the Bb5. Shift up one fret from the A5 position, so your index finger is on the 8th fret of the A string and your ring finger is on the 10th fret of the D string.
4. Step Four: Finally, move to the C5 chord by shifting up one more fret. Your index finger should be on the 9th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 11th fret of the D string.

Repeat this sequence throughout the bridge.

The bridge differs from the rest of the song in its chord progression and dynamics. It offers a break from the repetitive nature of the verse and chorus sections and builds tension before the final chorus. This part of the song is typically softer and slower, so try to adjust your strumming accordingly.

As always, start slow, focus on accuracy, and with consistent practice, you’ll master the bridge in no time.

Playing the Outro

The outro of Everlong brings the song to a close, often repeating themes found in the song’s intro and verses. Here’s how to play it:

1. Step One: Begin with the D5 power chord – strumming the open D string (6th string in Drop D tuning) along with the 9th fret of the A string (5th string) and the 11th fret of the D string (4th string).
2. Step Two: Move this shape down two frets to form the Bb5 chord. Your index finger should now be on the 7th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 9th fret of the D string.
3. Step Three: Shift down one more fret to play the A5 chord. Your index finger should be on the 6th fret of the A string and your ring finger on the 8th fret of the D string.

Repeat this sequence throughout the outro, gradually reducing the volume for a fade-out effect, which is a common way to end a song.

Transitioning from the bridge to the outro smoothly can be achieved by maintaining the tempo and rhythm as you move through the chords. It’s also important to listen to the song frequently to get a feel for these transitions.

As always, practice makes perfect. Start slow, focus on accuracy, and gradually increase your speed. With time and consistent practice, you’ll master the outro and be able to play Everlong from start to finish.

Combining All Parts

Once you’ve mastered each part of Everlong individually, the next step is to seamlessly combine them. Here’s a guide on how to do it:

1. Start with the Intro: The song begins with the iconic riff. Practice transitioning from this riff into the verse chord progression.
2. Move to the Verses: After the intro, the song moves into the verses. Focus on maintaining a steady rhythm as you transition between the chords.
3. Transition to the Chorus: The chorus introduces a new chord progression. Practice moving smoothly from the verse into the chorus.
4. From Chorus to Bridge: After the second chorus, the song transitions into the bridge. This part is typically softer and slower, so adjust your strumming accordingly.
5. End with the Outro: Finally, the song concludes with the outro. Practice transitioning from the bridge to the outro, gradually reducing the volume for a fade-out effect.

Here are some tips to maintain rhythm and timing throughout the song:

• Use a Metronome: A metronome can be a helpful tool to keep time and maintain a steady rhythm.
• Practice Transitions: Spend extra time practicing the transitions between different parts of the song. Smooth transitions will help maintain the flow of the song.
• Listen to the Song: Regularly listen to the song to familiarize yourself with its structure, rhythm, and timing.
• Start Slow: When first combining all the parts, play the song slowly. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase your speed.

Remember, playing a song from start to finish requires not just mastering each part, but also understanding how they fit together. With patience and consistent practice, you’ll be able to play Everlong in its entirety.

Effective Practice Routines

Mastering a song like Everlong requires consistent and effective practice. Here are some suggestions for building an effective practice routine:

1. Schedule Regular Practice Sessions: Consistency is key in mastering any instrument. Aim to practice daily, even if it’s just for a short amount of time.
2. Start with Warm-ups: Begin each practice session with some warm-up exercises to loosen up your fingers and prepare your mind.
3. Break the Song into Sections: Instead of trying to learn the whole song at once, break it down into sections – intro, verses, chorus, bridge, and outro. Master each section before moving on to the next.
4. Slow and Steady: Start by playing the song slowly, focusing on accuracy over speed. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase your speed.
5. Use a Metronome: A metronome can help maintain a steady rhythm and improve your timing.
6. Practice Transitions: Spend extra time practicing the transitions between different parts of the song. This will help maintain the flow of the song.

Overcoming Common Challenges

Learning a song like Everlong can present some challenges. Here are some tips to overcome them:

1. Challenging Chord Shapes: If you’re struggling with the power chord shapes, take some time to practice them separately. Start slow and focus on getting the shape right.
2. Smooth Transitions: Transitioning between chords smoothly can be difficult. Practice moving your fingers between the chord shapes until it becomes second nature.
3. Maintaining Rhythm: If you’re having trouble maintaining the rhythm, try practicing with a metronome. This can help you keep time and develop a steady rhythm.
4. Building Stamina: The fast strumming pattern of Everlong can be tiring. Build up your stamina by starting slow and gradually increasing your speed as you get more comfortable.

Conclusion

Learning to play Everlong on the guitar can be a rewarding journey. This iconic song, with its distinctive chord progressions and energetic rhythm, offers both a challenge and an opportunity to improve your guitar skills.

Mastering this song will not only give you a new addition to your repertoire but also help you develop important techniques, such as power chord transitions, maintaining rhythm, and playing at different dynamics. The skills you gain from learning Everlong can be applied to many other songs and styles of music, making it a valuable piece to learn.

Remember, the key to mastering any song is patience and consistent practice. Start slow, focus on accuracy, and gradually increase your speed. Use a metronome to help maintain a steady rhythm, and don’t forget to regularly listen to the song to familiarize yourself with its structure, rhythm, and timing.

Don’t get discouraged if you find some parts challenging. Every guitarist, regardless of their level, faces challenges when learning a new song. The important thing is to keep going and not give up. With time and practice, you’ll be able to play Everlong from start to finish.

Finally, enjoy the process! Playing the guitar is about expressing yourself and having fun. So, pick up your guitar, start strumming, and before you know it, you’ll be rocking out to Everlong!

FAQs on How to Play Everlong on Guitar