No Excuses Uke tab by Alice In Chains

11 Chords used in the song: A, Aadd9, B, Badd9, G, G6, C#, C#add9, D, Dadd9, E

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Tablature / Chords (Full Song)

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Artist: 
Album: 
Year:  1994
Difficulty: 
6.23
(Intermediate)
Key: unknownChords and Tablature
No 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 chordA B chordB |B chordB A chordA*
/ > / / / / / / / / / / //

* This A chordA (Add9) portion ALWAYS proceeds the Main Riff (whether coming out of the intro
where there are only drums, or the E chordE 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 chordB 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 chordA B chordB |C# chordC# B chordB G chordG A chordA
/ > / / / / / / / / / //

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 chordA B chordB |C# chordC# B chordB D chordD C# chordC# B chordB A chordA
/ > / / / / / / / / / / //

|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 chordB |B chordB A chordA* |
/ / / / / / / / / / / //
|G |A |
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
|E chordE |E chordE A chordA* |
/ / / / / / / / / / / //

* 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 chordA | *Still drums, but A chordA kicks in before starting main progression
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)

Verse 1:
|1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4 .. |
(C# chordC# B chordB G chordG A chordA) (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
It's al--right.......
(C# chordC# B chordB D chordD C# chordC# B chordB A chordA) (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
There comes a time.......
(C# chordC# B chordB G chordG A chordA) (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
Got no pa---tience to
(C# chordC# B chordB D chordD C# chordC# B chordB A chordA) (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
se-a-rch 4 peace of mi---i--ind.

Verse 2: (Alternate 1a and 1b, per Verse 1, if desired)
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Layin' low...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Want to take it slow...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
No more hi-ding...or
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
disguising truths I've sold.

Chorus:
|1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . |
|G |A |
E-ve-ry--day... something
|B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
hits me all so cold... (I..)
|G |A |
Find me sittin' by myself w/no ex-
|E chordE |E chordE A chordA |
-cuses that I know.

(Intro:)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)

Verse 3 & 4: (Alternate 1a and 1b)
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
It's o-kay...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Had a bad day...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Hands are bruised from
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
breaking rocks all day.

A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Drained and blue...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
I bleed for you...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
You think it's funny, well you're
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
drowning in it too.

(Chorus:)
G chordG A chordA
Everyday, something
B chordB B chordB A chordA
hits me all so cold.
G chordG A chordA
Find me sittin' by myself with no
E chordE E chordE A chordA
excuses that I know.

(Intro:)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)

(Solo: over chorus progression, played intensely)
|G |A |
|B chordB |B chordB A chordA |
|G |A |
|E chordE |E chordE A chordA |

Verse 5 & 6: (Alternate 1a and 1b)
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Yeah, it's fine...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
We'll walk down the line...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
Leave our rain...a cold
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
trade for warm sunshine.

A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
You my friend...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
I will defend...
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
And if we change, well I
A chordA > B chordB B chordB A chordA
love you any-way.

(Chorus:)
G chordG A chordA
Everyday, something
B chordB B chordB A chordA
hits me all so cold.
G chordG A chordA
Find me sittin' by myself with no
E chordE E chordE A chordA
excuses that I know.

Outro:
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1a)
|A chordA > B chordB |B chordB A chordA | (1b)
|A chordA > B chordB~ (end on a ringing B chordB after slide)

*END*

Uke tab by , 12 Apr 2021

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About this song: No Excuses

"No Excuses" is the lead single off American grunge band Alice in Chains's second EP, Jar of Flies (1994).The song's sound (and that of the entire EP) is a departure from some of the band's better-known, heavier work. Jerry Cantrell's subtle guitar riffs built around suspended chords (as well as Sean Kinney's soft, syncopated drumming) help lend an unusually airy feel to the song.It was written by Jerry Cantrell about his unstable relationship with band vocalist Layne Staley. Read more on Last.fm.

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