Nutshell Chords & Strumming Pattern | Alice in Chains
Nutshell is one of the most recognizable acoustic songs by American rock band Alice in Chains. The song has a dark, emotional atmosphere and a relatively simple chord progression, making it a great choice for guitar players who want to practice slow, expressive acoustic playing.
In this guitar lesson, you’ll find the Nutshell chords, easy chord shapes, strumming pattern, chord progression, and beginner-friendly practice tips.
Nutshell Guitar Chords
The main chords used in this version are:
Em7 – G – D – Cadd9
These chords work especially well for beginners because the finger positions can be kept relatively close together.
Easy Chord Shapes
Em7 –
022033G –
320033D –
xx0232Cadd9 –
x32033
Beginner Tip
When switching between Em7, G, and Cadd9, try to keep your ring finger and pinky anchored around the 3rd fret on the B and high-E strings. This can make the chord changes smoother and faster.
Strumming Pattern
For an easy version, start with:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Count:
1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
If this feels difficult, begin with four simple downstrokes:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
Once you become comfortable with the chord changes, gradually move to the full strumming pattern.
Chord Progression
The main progression is:
Cadd9 → Em7 → G → D
Try playing one complete strumming pattern for each chord.
Cadd9 Em7 G D
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Keep the strumming soft and controlled. The song works particularly well when played with a relaxed, emotional feel rather than aggressive strumming.
Nutshell Chords & Lyrics
Intro
{Em7} {G} {D}
{Cadd9} {Em7} {G} {D} ×5
Verse 1
{Cadd9} We, we chase misprinted lies
{Cadd9} We, we face the path of time
{Cadd9} And yet I fight, and yet I fight this battle all alone
{Cadd9} No one to cry to, no place to call home
{Cadd9} WHOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO WHOOOO
{Cadd9} WHOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOO WHOOOO
Verse 2
{Cadd9} My gift of self is raped
{Cadd9} My privacy is raked
{Cadd9} And yet I find, and yet I find repeating in my head
{Cadd9} If I can't be my own, I'd feel better dead
{Cadd9} WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOO
{Cadd9} WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOOOOO WHOOOOOO
Solo
{Cadd9} {Em7} {G} {D} ×4
Outro
{Cadd9} {Em7} {G} {D} ×2
{Cadd9}
Fade out
How to Practice Nutshell on Guitar
If you're a beginner, practice the song in three steps.
Step 1 – Practice the chords
Practice changing between:
Cadd9 → Em7 → G → D
Don't worry about speed. Focus on making every chord sound clean.
Step 2 – Practice the rhythm
Start with:
↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
After the chord changes become comfortable, try:
↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Step 3 – Add dynamics
Play the verses softly and gradually increase your strumming intensity during the louder vocal sections. This helps create the emotional character of the song.
Nutshell Chord Progression
The primary chord progression in this easy version is:
Cadd9 – Em7 – G – D
This four-chord progression repeats through much of the arrangement, making it suitable for beginners who are learning chord transitions and steady acoustic strumming.
Guitar Tuning
For this easy chord version, you can practice in standard tuning:
E – A – D – G – B – E
Always check the tuning of your guitar before practicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the chords for Nutshell by Alice in Chains?
The easy version presented here uses Em7, G, D, and Cadd9.
Is Nutshell easy to play on guitar?
The basic chord progression is beginner-friendly. The main challenge is keeping the chord changes smooth while maintaining the slow, expressive rhythm.
What is the strumming pattern for Nutshell?
A simple beginner pattern is ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑. Beginners can start with four downstrokes per bar.
What tuning is used for this easy version?
This simplified version can be practiced in standard tuning (E A D G B E).
What chords should beginners learn first?
Start with Em7, G, D, and Cadd9 and practice changing between them slowly before adding the complete strumming pattern.
Final Tips
The key to playing Nutshell well is not playing too fast. Focus on clean chord changes, controlled strumming, and dynamics. Once the basic progression feels natural, experiment with softer and louder strumming to give your performance more emotion.
Song: Nutshell
Artist: Alice in Chains
Chords: Em7, G, D, Cadd9
Easy Strumming: ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ ↓ ↑
Tuning: Standard Tuning (E A D G B E)
