90’s Alt-Rock/Grunge Guitar Hacks You Should NOT Ignore!
Have you ever wanted to write 90’s sounding Alt-Rock/ Grunge style guitar like bands such as Nirvana, The Smashing Pumpkins or Sonic Youth, but not known where to start? Well, today we’re going to look into three of the characteristics that I think define the playing style of this genre.
For me, the alternative rock of the early 90’s has had a huge influence on the guitar parts I write and play. So, hopefully if you’re anything like me you’ll find some use in the tips I outline in this video! As always please subscribe to the channel if you’re enjoying the videos and I look forward to seeing you here again.
Check out some other videos here:
Here’s a link to my bands channel to see this stuff in action: https://www.youtube.com/@octoberdrift
#90s #AltRockGrunge #Guitar #Hacks #Ignore
Originally posted by UCwyK-0o3xhqZdDTlJqUWQzw at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQU10CkH0Wg
The sus 2 thing sounds just like a slowdive song. So Tired I think it is called.
Man I’m sure if I watched this when it came out but I love your band been keeping the album forever whatever on regular Rotation for the last year or so. Love the juicy tones the whole vibe the lush chords.instant classic to me
Cool channel, dude. Thanks for the content. I have to add that the drone-string thing is used in a lot of folk music and a lot of 60’s jangly pop took note. The Byrds and what have you. Hüsker Dü took a lot of inspiration from that sound in the mid 80’s and did their own thing with it. Listen to the Zen Arcade and New Day Rising-albums. I fell in love with open chords and jangly arpeggios listening to them.
Hüsker Dü had a huge impact on all of those 90’s bands, both British Shoegaze and US Alternative. You also need to check out Bob Mould’s post Hüskers band Sugar. That’s the textbook 90’s alternative sound right there.
I'm trying to find out what chords I want to use to compose songs, and this video has been very revealing!
My son's band are heavily inspired by this scene, it will never die. Great vid, subbed
0:15 sounds like the same tone and chords used in the beginning of “Where do we go from here?” By Filter. Love that song and love this guys content
You need a nose job.
The sus 2 cord is everything ????
1. Heroin
2. Forget everything you’ve learned about guitar
3. Sing like a dying cat
Thanks a lot for the ideas. Good stuff.
You can learn music theory and still write and play according to how "stuff sounds". I've been learning theory for years now and I still use atlernate tunings so I have to rely on my ears rather than my eyes.
So these 90s bands…what, exactly, were they alternative to? They were all signed to major labels, all played on mainstream radio and mtv. So what were they alternative to?
A Guitar has 2 E strings.
Dan i dont know if you remember this at all but a few months back i mentioned in the comments that your videos made me eager to finish my music and now my band is releasing a 5 track EP this coming friday!
Good video also made me feel old. Miss that era
Add some Maj7, min7, 7th chords along with min9, add#11 and all kinds of crazy chords in a Rock context. Listen to our songs, we believe we've done it pretty well.
I learned that Sus2 style chord from Everlong and now I use it constantly. it really does at a somber little spice when your stuff is sounding too poppy or even too familiar
10: 45 yeaaaaaah, so amazing ????
I see now that you haven't posted any videos in close to a year.
I hope you will again Bro.
And I pray everything in your Life is going well.
God Bless
ROCK ON
Silverchair, got to do a video on Dan's playing.
No one gives that dude props
This just came to mind but a hidden gem of 90s alt rock was a band called Pink Noise Test. You'll dig it for sure.
MOST 90’s guitar playing sucked then… Seeing it broke down makes it even suck more… Didn’t think it was possible. Reading these comments is crazy!!! Like they were game changers. Very strange indeed. Each to their own, obviously.
It seem that you aré not understanding what aré you doing at all, you aré a very nice teacher for future generation of new musicians and guitar players, i apreciatte that a lot.
A simple guy with no ego overdressing very honest.
Keep showing us More of your stuff Man, congrat!!
Awesome video man. I have that same SP tattoo in the same place but mine says LOVE IS SUICIDE underneath
It ROCKS dude!
Your major and minor stretches hurt, any alternatives. I hate it when youtubers go fracking pro! I got RA, help mne out dude!
I love the SP's. Everyone back in the day just went into 'cobain 'poularity'' yeah you had the real fans, but also a lot of sheepers. But looking back. IT WAS COOL! Glam rock fading, pop fucked!, many bands mixed lots of shit and made their own 'sound'. We were all 'One', like borg. Faith no more were amazing way back. That is the last of solidarity and true brotherhood I ever knew dude!
I am wondering if you are a bit….hmmmmmmmm……..'Pumpkins Biased' lol. Way too much Corgan, but hey, I like 'em. Me I'm pearl Jam. Love that early sound and the Neil young mirrorball stuff. I got a few pedals, but haven't a clue how to utelise them properly. 48 now; my dream has long gone. But still appreciate these vids. Even though waaaaaaay pumpkins biased lol. Keep rockin dude!
Ive started getting super into this style, shoegaze in particular and theres definitely something to love in the ‘simplicity’ of the style
What is the sus2 progression derived from, I really recognise it
Was that an “F” chord in the opener?
love your genre videos, thanks!
7:45 sounds like the SP "Gish" era.
Went to high school in the start of 90s. I like alice in chains, soundgarden, nirvana …grunge. but love the hair bands of 80s too. (I like all rock styles). But soundgarden andalice can listen to continuously.
Love your videos, mate. It’s refreshing that someone has decided to take it on theirselves to just value this simple, heavy forms of music. When you learn more about music it gets easy to overlook the power of simplicity, the fresh ears of those who haven’t been affected by truly complex music. We need this rawness, specially now that they even got AI making music (the ultimate slap in the face, if you ask me). Rock n roll is about emotion and communion, everything else is optional.
Dude it’s so crazy that you go “I’ll only use these 2 pedals” and then hold up 2 out of the only 3 pedals I own ????
This tutorial is all I needed see y’all on the charts in 2025 ????
How about Dinosaur Jr?
Thanks my dude thats what I'm trying to do myself
Sonic Youth tuned their guitars wacky as hell.
You have to listen Hum a band whith a great sound : iron cloud lou, stars, and centaur : the same place . Matt talbott
What pickups are those ?!
that plumes sounds good
The riffs in Cherub Rock and Zero have the open E being played inbetween each octave. The best way to not be too exact with it is sometimes use your left thumb to mute the open E as well as using it to control it's ringing out. Great vid!
which song did you derive the first riff from?
I love that blue colour on guitars, Daphne Blue I think its called
I’m a big fan of all genres and styles of guitar playing but I can’t express how much I love playing grungey heavy sheeet