xNo Excuses (Acoustic)
Alice In Chains (Unplugged)
Tuning: 1/2 step down
Chords:
A = 5--7--7--6-0-0 (Aadd9) ; or x02200
B = 7--9--9--8-0-0 (Badd9) ; or x24400
G = 3--5--5--4-0-0 (G6) ; or 320000
E = 0--2--2--1-0-0
C# = 9-11-11-10-0-0 (C#add9); or x46600
D = 10-12-12-11-0-0 (Dadd9) ; or x57700
Progressions (with simplified rhythm and timing):
The chords don't get any easier than this. However, this song is all about rhythm and
feel. You will need lots of mutes and high-low strumming patterns to get the sound worked
out. But, the progressions below will help to get the basic timing going.
> = slide (dramatically!)
/ = strum
Intro/Verse - aka, "Main Riff"
1 – Basic: (you can use this as main progression throughout)
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
|A B |B A*
/ > / / / / / / / / / / //
* This A (Add9) portion ALWAYS proceeds the Main Riff (whether coming out of the intro
where there are only drums, or the E in the Chorus, or whatever ending note is used on
3rd count of the main riffs 2nd measure).
The following 2 alternatives represent the little overtone melodies you can hear going
on during the B parts of the main progression. These are probably a 2nd guitar, but I
think they work just fine and can be mixed in as needed to change things up.
1a – Alt, with mellower melody:
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
|A B |C# B G A
/ > / / / / / / / / / //
play the chord bass notes to get down:
|5-/-7---7-7-7----9---7---3-5-5-55| (/ = slide here)
1b – Alt, with quicker/higher melody:
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 .. 4 . |
|A B |C# B D C# B A
/ > / / / / / / / / / / //
|5-/-7---7-7-7----9---7-9-10-7-5-55|
For the purposes of tabbing below, I will show the words with the regular main riff, but
try to indicate where the alt riffs can be substituted in (they basically seem to
alternate during intro and verses).
Chorus
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
|G |A |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
|B |B A* |
/ / / / / / / / / / / //
|G |A |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
|E |E A* |
/ / / / / / / / / / / //
* Again, here are those connecting A's (Aadd9) that seem to proceed any progression.
Their timing is a bit tricky, try moving it up to the 3rd or back to 4th beat and it
makes it easier (and doesn't matter so much in the chorus part, just get it in).
******
(With that in mind, here's the complete song...)
No Excuses (Unplugged)
Intro:
|N.C* | | *No chord, drums only
|N.C* | A | *Still drums, but A kicks in before starting main progression
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
Verse 1:
|1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |
(C# B G A) (1a)
|A > B |B A |
It's al--right.......
(C# B D C# B A) (1b)
|A > B |B A |
There comes a time.......
(C# B G A) (1a)
|A > B |B A |
Got no pa---tience to
(C# B D C# B A) (1b)
|A > B |B A |
se-a-rch 4 peace of mi---i--ind.
Verse 2: (Alternate 1a and 1b, per Verse 1, if desired)
A > B B A
Layin' low...
A > B B A
Want to take it slow...
A > B B A
No more hi-ding...or
A > B B A
disguising truths I've sold.
Chorus:
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
|G |A |
E-ve-ry--day... something
|B |B A |
hits me all so cold... (I..)
|G |A |
Find me sittin' by myself w/no ex-
|E |E A |
-cuses that I know.
(Intro:)
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
Verse 3 & 4: (Alternate 1a and 1b)
A > B B A
It's o-kay...
A > B B A
Had a bad day...
A > B B A
Hands are bruised from
A > B B A
breaking rocks all day.
A > B B A
Drained and blue...
A > B B A
I bleed for you...
A > B B A
You think it's funny, well you're
A > B B A
drowning in it too.
(Chorus:)
G A
Everyday, something
B B A
hits me all so cold.
G A
Find me sittin' by myself with no
E E A
excuses that I know.
(Intro:)
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
(Solo: over chorus progression, played intensely)
|G |A |
|B |B A |
|G |A |
|E |E A |
Verse 5 & 6: (Alternate 1a and 1b)
A > B B A
Yeah, it's fine...
A > B B A
We'll walk down the line...
A > B B A
Leave our rain...a cold
A > B B A
trade for warm sunshine.
A > B B A
You my friend...
A > B B A
I will defend...
A > B B A
And if we change, well I
A > B B A
love you any-way.
(Chorus:)
G A
Everyday, something
B B A
hits me all so cold.
G A
Find me sittin' by myself with no
E E A
excuses that I know.
Outro:
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
|A > B |B A | (1a)
|A > B |B A | (1b)
|A > B~ (end on a ringing B after slide)
*END*
