How to Sound Like Green Day

Green Day, arguably the most influential punk/alternative band of the modern era, has garnered success through their own type of sound. In this tutorial you will learn how to emulate that sound.

Things You'll Need

• guitar
• picks
• tuner
• distortion pedal (or other type of similar pedal)

Instructions

1. Understand and learn Green Day's sound. They are not exactly punk, rock, or alternative, but rather a combination of all three. Learn the style of play and pacing in their songs, since most sound the same.

2. Tune your guitar down 1/2 step. Green Day's guitars are tuned to Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb instead of standard tuning. This accounts for the heaviness felt in their chords.

3. Learn "Power Chords." These are chords where only the top four strings (E, A, D, G) are played, and only three strings are plucked at a time. This accounts for the harder and more aggressive feel instead of the softer bar chords.

4. Find the correct distortion. Almost every Green Day song features a creamy distortion. To achieve this, you will want the gain or overdrive level to be high, with Tones and Mids close to nothing.

5. Practice switching power chords very quickly. Many Green Day songs consist of only four power chords, but going from one to another for three minutes can tire your hands.

6. Adjust guitar settings for the song. "Warning" and "Macy's Day Parade" are softer and fuller whereas "Basketcase" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" are harder and more distorted.