If you’re a guitarist who loves Nirvana—or just wants a solid collection of iconic acoustic rock tunes—the Nirvana: MTV Unplugged (on Amazon) tab book is one of those no-brainer additions to the shelf. It’s not a flashy, ultra-technical shred manual.
Instead, it’s a faithful, well-presented look at one of the most important acoustic performances in rock history.
This book is ideal if:
- You’re an intermediate or late-beginner player looking for real songs that aren’t overly complex.
- You want to study Kurt Cobain’s songwriting and rhythm approach rather than intricate lead work.
- You’re drawn to the darker, more intimate vibe of the MTV Unplugged performance.
Here’s what you actually get and why it still holds up.
Overview / First Impressions
This is a straightforward, well-executed tab book that covers the Nirvana: MTV Unplugged in New York performance. The arrangements are accurate, the riffs are clearly laid out, and there’s nothing confusing or “over-arranged” to get in your way.
Because so much of Nirvana’s guitar work is built on simple chord progressions and strong melodies, it’s hard to go wrong with a tab book like this—as long as the transcriptions are clean and correct. In this case, they are.
In short: it does exactly what you want a Nirvana Unplugged book to do.
Build Quality & Design
Physically and visually, the book is nicely put together:
- Clear notation and tab – Easy to read, with logical spacing and bar lines that make sense when you’re playing along.
- Performance photos – It includes some great shots from the actual MTV Unplugged performance, which adds a bit of vibe and context while you’re learning the songs.
- Straightforward layout – Songs are laid out in a no-nonsense way. You’re not fighting with page turns or weird formatting.
It’s not a coffee-table art book, but it looks and feels like a proper, professional tab collection that’s meant to be used, not just admired.
Features & Functions
Here’s what you can expect in terms of content and usability:
- Full song transcriptions from the MTV Unplugged set.
- Standard notation plus tablature, so you can follow rhythm and pitch even if you’re still learning to read music.
- Chord shapes laid out clearly, which is helpful if you’re still building your chord vocabulary.
- Accurate riffs and voicings that match the performance rather than studio versions.
Because Cobain’s parts are generally direct and unembellished, the book gives you a very honest look at what’s actually being played—no unnecessary “arranger’s flourishes” layered on top.
How It Plays & Use Cases
From a guitarist’s perspective, this book really shines in two main ways.
1. Learning Nirvana’s Acoustic Side
Most players first encounter Nirvana through distorted power chords and aggressive rhythm parts. The MTV Unplugged set strips that back and lets you focus on:
- Chord movement and song structure
- Dynamics and feel, especially in quieter sections
- Melodic lines woven into chord shapes
These are incredibly useful skills if you want to write your own songs or perform solo acoustic covers.
2. The Meat Puppets Covers: Surprisingly Fun Guitar Work
The real surprise in this book is how fun the Meat Puppets covers are to play. Songs like:
- “Lake of Fire” – Probably the standout from a guitar perspective. It’s simple enough to grasp quickly, but interesting enough to keep you coming back.
- “Plateau” and “Oh, Me” – These tunes bring in slightly different textures and movements that feel refreshing compared to the more straightforward Nirvana originals.
In practice, you might find yourself returning to these songs more than you expect. They’re great for building your acoustic rhythm skills while still sounding musically interesting.
Limitations & Things to Know
There are a few realistic expectations to keep in mind:
- Not a technique-heavy book
If you’re looking for advanced solos, extended chords, or complex fingerstyle arrangements, this isn’t that kind of collection. Cobain’s playing is more about mood and songwriting than technical fireworks. - Best suited to beginner–intermediate players
If you’re just starting out and can play basic open chords and strumming patterns, you’ll find a lot here that’s within reach. Advanced players will still enjoy it, but more as a study in songwriting and vibe than a technical challenge. - Faithful, not reinvented
The book sticks close to what was played on MTV Unplugged. If you’re hoping for big, rearranged “solo guitar” versions of these songs, you won’t find that here—it’s about authenticity.
That said, there are no major complaints to level at this book. It does what it sets out to do, and it does it well.
Final Thoughts
As a practical guitar resource, the Nirvana: MTV Unplugged tab book is:
- Accurate
- Easy to use
- Musically rewarding, especially if you love the album
It’s not a show-off book; it’s a working guitarist’s book. You get honest, playable versions of iconic songs, plus some unexpectedly fun Meat Puppets material that might become your go-to practice tunes.
If you’re into Nirvana, acoustic rock, or just want a solid set of songs that help you develop rhythm, feel, and song sense without overwhelming technique, this book is absolutely worth having.
Resources & Further Study
If working through this book makes you want to go deeper into fretboard knowledge and harmony, it’s worth checking out:
- Fretboard Memorization Cheat Sheet (TravelingGuitarist.com)
A resource focused on major and minor triads in every key, using “octave mapping” and other practical methods. It’s useful if you want to: - Traveling Guitarist Forum (forum.travelingguitarist.com)
A place to talk guitar, music, and related topics with other players, ask questions, and share progress.
Pairing a song-based book like Nirvana: MTV Unplugged with some focused fretboard and harmony work is a powerful way to grow: you get the joy of playing real music, backed by the understanding of how it all fits together.