How to Play "Brain Stew" by Green Day on Guitar: A Beginner's Tutorial

If you're a guitar enthusiast and a fan of Green Day, you're in luck! In this tutorial video, Ellen shares her expertise and teaches you how to play "Brain Stew" by Green Day on the guitar. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your skills on the electric guitar, this step-by-step guide is designed to make the learning process easy and enjoyable.

So grab your guitar and let's dive into the world of power chords and strumming patterns! Visit her channel here.

"Brain Stew" is a beginner-friendly song and the guitar should be tuned down a half step for optimal playing.

Chord Shapes:

Ellen walks you through the five power chord shapes used in the song. These chord shapes involve sliding your hand up and down the guitar neck while maintaining the same hand position. The chords covered are A flat five, G flat five, F five, E five, and E flat five. She emphasizes the simplicity of these chords, making them accessible for beginners.

Strumming Patterns:

The strumming pattern for the main part of the song is a double down strum on the right hand. Ellen demonstrates the pattern for each chord, ensuring that we grasp the rhythm and timing. Additionally, she explains a modified strumming pattern used during the instrumental bridge sections, incorporating muted chucking down and up strums to create a unique sound. Ellen offers helpful tips on muting the strings for a clean and precise execution of the strumming patterns.

Playing Techniques and Amp Settings:

Ellen shares advice on muting the strings while strumming power chords to prevent unwanted sounds. She suggests two methods: lightly touching the top three strings with your first finger or strumming only the top three strings. Furthermore, she highlights the role of amp settings in achieving the desired sound, especially during the instrumental sections. Experiment with amp presets and find the right sound that aligns with the song's vibe.

Play-Along:

To facilitate practice, Ellen provides a play-along segment where you can follow her lead and immerse yourself in the music of "Brain Stew".

Learning to play "Brain Stew" by Green Day on the guitar is an exciting endeavor, particularly for beginners. Ellen's comprehensive tutorial video equips aspiring guitarists with the necessary chord shapes, strumming patterns, and playing techniques to master this iconic song. With Ellen's guidance and the support of Donner, you'll be strumming along to "Brain Stew" in no time. So pick up your guitar, tune it down a half step, and let the journey begin!