Let's learn a Pearl Jam classic

In this lesson, we'll learn how to (really!) play Nothingman by Pearl Jam on guitar. This is an awesome song from the Vitalogy album with great chords.

I've been playing this Pearl Jam classic for years, but always with the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Now I've finally got it! It's a tiny detail, but it makes all the difference…

Nothingman sounds great on electric guitar, but you'll also have loads of fun playing it on acoustic. We'll learn how to strum it and explore how to create cool dynamics too!

Let’s get stuck in.

Nothingman By Pearl Jam - Guitar Capo & Tuning

You'll need the capo on the 5th fret - but only covering strings 6 to 2! We leave string 1 open - make sure it rings out. That’s real important. :) This means your strings are now tuned to A D G C E E.

Now, here’s the trick that took me years to discover: we tune strings 1 and 2 up one semitone! Now your guitar is in the right tuning: A, D, G, C, F, F.

💡 Justin's Journey: For ages I played Nothingman with my capo on fret 5 and standard open chords. At some point I figured out that the capo was only covering strings 6 to 2 and that string 1 was tuned to an F, but it took further detective work to realise that string 2 was also tuned a semitone higher than usual.

This is a bit complicated, but this tuning gives a lovely, open, expansive sound to the guitar and it makes the chords real easy. Let’s check them out!

Nothingman by Pearl Jam - Chord Progression

The chord progression (relative to the capo) is based around C, Am, Gsus4, and Fadd9. But the grips are a little different. ;)

The C and Am grips in Nothingman are the standard open-chord grips but with finger 1 missing. You want string 2 to ring out open!

🎸 Altered Tunings: the Nothingman tuning is an example of an altered tuning - and a weird one at that. Check out my series on altered tunings to deepen your knowledge.

For the Gsus4, put finger 3 on fret 3 of string 6 and use it to mute string 5. Let the other strings ring out. For the Fadd9, we hold an F power chord but let all six strings ring out. :)

I’ll call these chords C, Am, G, and F to make things easy. ;) I’m feeling this song in 6/8 time, which means two strong pulses of three: 1 2 3 4 5 6.

Intro, Verse & Pre-chorus Progression

The chord progression for the intro and verses is C, |C Am|, |G Am|, F. The two chords together means they each last half a bar and the change lands on beat 4.

In the verse, we play four reps of the intro progression followed by F, |F Am7 |, F, |F Gsus4 |; F, |F C/E |, F, |F G |.

To play Am7, we use a power-chord shape but let all six strings ring out. Finger 1 is five frets above the capo, or at fret 10 if we ignore the capo. ;) The second Gsus4 is also a power chord shape - finger 1 goes three frets above the capo on string 6.

Nothingman by Pearl Jam - Strumming

The pattern in the song changes several times - the trick is to keep your hand moving consistently. Don’t worry if you miss some strums and add extra ones. That might add to the song. :) Try to vary the pattern for the different sections to change the sound too.

We learn a basic strumming pattern in the video. :) I also do some neck-wobble to create vibrato over those chords - hold the guitar body firmly under your arm and push and pull the guitar neck back and forward a little. If you have a whammy bar, that’ll work too.

Nothingman by Pearl Jam - Chorus & Bridge

The chorus progression is nice and easy too: C, |C F |, G, G; C, |C F |, G, G.

The bridge progression is a little tricky, so check out the video for all the details. It’s a good idea to add more energy in this section - strum loudly and add accents on beats 2 and 4.

Nothingman by Pearl Jam - Dynamics

The dynamics are one of the most powerful elements in this song. We can really feel it! You can mimic this by playing soft and sensitive in the verses. Hold the pick lightly, and be sensitive to the feeling of the music. Don’t strum mechanically!

🔥 Master Strumming Dynamics: Want to master your dynamics and give your rhythm guitar a pro touch? Check out my Strumming Dynamics course.

Dynamics are a key component of making music. You have to get in sync with the vibe of the song and be aware of the lyrics so that you can transmit the song’s unique feel in your playing.

Want to Sing While You Play Guitar?

Pearl Jam's lead singer Eddie Vedder has an incredible voice range - and it can be really tricky to cover some of his songs! Nothigman goes really high at some points… I can't do it!

He goes real deep, strong, and rich then way up high! He has an incredible range.

The trick is to sing these high parts down one octave. As I always say: when covering a song, don't feel you have to copy the original. Put your personality - and voice range! - into it too. ;)

I’m stoked that I finally figured out how to play Nothingman the right way. I’ve given myself a big pat on the back! I hope you also have loads of fun with this Pearl Jam tune. Laters. :)

👉 Want full guitar tab for Nothingman? Check out JustinGuitarTABS.