Seven Nation Army is an easy song for beginner guitarists to learn, using just one musical motif repeated over and over again.
Jack White’s hit “Cherry Pie” features an irresistibly catchy bass riff and its driving rhythm is one of his most beloved tracks.
Verse
White Stripes fans all around the world know Seven Nation Army by White Stripes as one of their iconic songs, featuring a bass-driven rock vibe with an accessible chord melody perfect for novice guitar players and reminding us all how powerful simplicity can be.
Seven Nation Army’s verse is comprised of two power chords played with the left hand (or pinky). Start off by playing an E chord on the sixth string before adding in a G power chord on its fifth fret for a dark and dramatic sound that complements its lyrics perfectly.
Though Seven Nation Army may initially seem difficult, it can actually be learned relatively easily due to its repetitive pattern that repeats itself over and over. As an excellent practice riff and the cumulative benefits will soon become clear, Jack White’s A & R man said he didn’t hear any singles when listening to this track!
Chorus
Jack White’s Seven Nation Army is unquestionably his best-known song and an irresistibly captivating crowd-pleaser. Perfect for opening any gig with an exhilarating blast of energy and getting everyone singing along, its simple melodies also make it easy to learn on guitar!
This chord progression is straightforward and only uses two power chords: you will start off by hitting an E power chord at the 7th fret of your A string, followed by D power chord at the 5th fret on C, and finally finishing it all off with B power chord on G string at its 2nd fret.
This song is an ideal example of how chords can create complex melodies. To master this piece, practice regularly; doing so will become second nature to your fingers while also helping with timing issues.
Bridge
Seven Nation Army’s bridge is an unforgettable and iconic component of its song, featuring the same riff from its verse yet played at a different rhythm to create tension and create an engaging listener experience.
The riff is easy to play for experienced guitarists familiar with power chords; simply strum an E power chord for eight bars before sliding to the fifth fret and hitting a D power chord for another eight bars – this combination of short and long bursts of notes is known as Staccato.
Seven Nation Army is perhaps the White Stripes’ best-known song, having become a staple at sports events and political rallies around the globe – its popularity a surprise to Jack White who initially intended it as a James Bond theme song.
Solo
Since 2003, when The White Stripes first released Seven Nation Army from their fourth album Elephant, it has been one of their Billboard-topping rock songs and an important landmark for beginner guitarists everywhere.
Structure-wise, this song is quite straightforward: three verses and an interlude guitar solo serve as its centerpiece.
Seven Nation Army’s signature riff is a flatted seventh interval played on the A string by Jack White with an index finger fretting and his ring and pinkie fingers holding down strings below it, creating an unsettling, foreboding sound.
Once you have mastered this riff, move on to the solo. This can also provide an excellent opportunity to use an octave pedal (if applicable) as two sections of this solo use power chords to recreate the bass riff that starts the song.