Hey guitar enthusiasts! Today, we're diving into the iconic Deftones track, "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)". This song isn't just a tune; it's an experience, a journey, and a staple for any alt-rock fan. We'll break down the guitar tab, chords, and techniques so you can play this masterpiece. Ready to cruise along the sonic highway? Let's get started!

Understanding the Essence of "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)"

Before we jump into the guitar tab, let's appreciate the song's vibe. "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" is a perfect blend of melodic beauty and raw emotion. The song's intro immediately grabs you with its driving rhythm and then the layered guitar parts create a dynamic soundscape. The interplay between the clean and distorted tones, the song's dynamics, and Chino Moreno's haunting vocals all contribute to its enduring appeal. Understanding this essence will help you approach the guitar tab with the right feel. This track is all about creating atmosphere and tension, and then releasing it in the chorus. The song's structure is relatively straightforward, but the nuances are what make it special. The use of delay and chorus effects on the guitar adds depth and space, making it sound more vast. You'll need to pay close attention to these effects to accurately recreate the song's sound. The original recording features a lot of subtle details, such as the way the guitars interact with each other in the intro, and the use of the bass to drive the rhythm during the verses. Listening closely to the original song will help you identify these details and incorporate them into your playing. The song's impact is not just in its individual elements, but how they come together to create a cohesive and moving piece of art. This is why so many people are drawn to it. The song has become a quintessential part of many people's lives and it remains popular to this day. There are many live recordings available, which show how versatile this track can be in performance. Mastering this song requires attention to detail. So let's get into it.

Essential Gear and Preparation for the Guitar Tab

Before you start, make sure you have the right gear. You'll need an electric guitar, of course! A guitar with humbucker pickups is ideal for achieving the song's heavy sound, though single-coil guitars can also work. You'll also want an amplifier with some distortion or overdrive capabilities to create the grunge sound of the chorus. A clean amp setting is essential for the clean parts of the song. A delay pedal and a chorus pedal are also crucial for replicating the song's signature sound, especially the atmospheric intro and the lush chorus sections. If you don't have these pedals, you can often approximate the effects using digital modeling software or multi-effects processors, and the end result will be similar. But if you have the real stuff, that's awesome!

Aside from the gear, your guitar needs to be properly set up. Ensure your guitar is intonated and that the action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) is set to a comfortable level. You will be spending a lot of time on it. Tuned the guitar to standard tuning (EADGBe). Also, make sure to have a pick. You can experiment with different pick thicknesses to find what works best for you. Now, let's prepare mentally! Listen to the song repeatedly to familiarize yourself with its structure, rhythms, and dynamics. This will make learning the guitar tab much easier. Pay attention to the transitions between sections and how the guitars interact with each other. Break the song down into smaller, manageable sections. This will make the learning process less daunting. Start with the intro, then move to the verse, and so on. Practicing in small chunks will help you master each section. Make sure you're comfortable. Find a comfortable place to practice where you can focus on the music. This might be a quiet room or a specific spot where you feel relaxed. Regular practice is key. Even if it's just for 15-30 minutes each day, consistent practice will greatly improve your playing.

Diving into the Guitar Tab: Intro, Verse, Chorus, and More

Alright, let's get to the good stuff! The intro of "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" is iconic. It sets the song's mood with its atmospheric texture. This part uses a clean guitar tone with delay. The main riff consists of simple power chords played with a picked technique. The intro is a combination of clean guitar and subtle effects. The use of a delay pedal is especially important here, as it adds depth and space to the sound. Here's a simplified version:

E|----------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------------------------|
D|----------------------------------------------------|
A|--7-7-7-7-5-5-5-5-2-2-2-2---------------------------|
E|--5-5-5-5-3-3-3-3-0-0-0-0---------------------------|

The verse section introduces the core rhythmic elements of the song. The chords are mostly power chords, creating a driving feel. The guitar part is typically played with a slightly distorted tone. Focus on keeping the rhythm steady, which is really important. The transition to the chorus involves a shift to a more aggressive sound with heavier distortion. The chords often become more complex and the drums build up the intensity. In the chorus, the guitars swell with distortion and the vocals really kick in. It's a wall of sound! The verse uses a slightly distorted sound and the intro is pretty clean. The verse riff is the foundation of the song, it creates the groove that drives the entire song. This part relies heavily on the use of palm-muted power chords. Here's a version of the verse riff:

E|----------------------------------------------------|
B|----------------------------------------------------|
G|--9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------|
D|--9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-------------------|
A|--7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-------------------|
E|----------------------------------------------------|

As the song progresses, you'll encounter a bridge or breakdown section. This is a moment of contrast, often featuring a different guitar part or a reduction in intensity before the song builds back up to the chorus. You can also expect a guitar solo. Chino Moreno rarely takes the stage with a guitar, so it is the perfect spot for the other band members to shine. These solos will likely be over the verse chord progression. This part is a great opportunity to get creative. Feel free to experiment with different techniques. Remember, the goal is to reproduce the sound of the song.

Techniques and Tips to Master the Guitar Tab

To play this song well, you'll need to master a few essential techniques. Palm muting is crucial for the song's heavy, rhythmic sections. This is a technique where you lightly rest the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge. This creates a muted sound that adds a percussive quality to the guitar. Practice palm muting on power chords and rhythmic riffs. It will improve your timing and give your playing more punch. Alternate picking is also important for maintaining a consistent rhythm and speed. Alternate picking is when you use both upstrokes and downstrokes of your pick. Practice slow, then gradually increase the speed. String skipping is used in the song's intro and some other parts. It involves picking a note on one string and then quickly moving to another string without hitting the strings in between. These jumps require precision and coordination. Practice string skipping slowly at first, focusing on accuracy. Once you're comfortable, increase the speed. Vibrato is another technique that will add expression to your playing. Vibrato involves slightly bending the string back and forth to create a wavering effect. This is used in the solo and other sections to add emotion to your notes. Experiment with different types of vibrato. Make sure you use the appropriate effects and the right settings on your delay and chorus pedals. The delay effect will add depth and space to the clean parts. The chorus effect will fatten the sound during the chorus and create a swirling effect. Experiment with different settings until you find what sounds best. Record yourself playing the song and listen to it. This will help you identify areas where you need to improve. Listen to the original song and compare it to your playing. This will also help you identify areas where you need to refine your technique and reproduce the song more accurately.

Practice Routine for the Guitar Tab

Consistency is key. Start by practicing the song in sections. Break down the song into manageable parts such as the intro, verse, chorus, and bridge. Start by playing the easiest sections slowly, focusing on accuracy and clean sound. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. As you improve, combine the sections. Start by combining the intro and the verse, then add the chorus. Once you can play the song from start to finish, identify the areas where you need to improve and work on these. Focus on the sections that are challenging or that you're struggling with. Use a metronome to keep your timing consistent. The metronome is your friend. It's a tool that helps you develop a strong sense of rhythm. Use it to practice at a slow tempo and gradually increase the tempo. When practicing each section, focus on the techniques required for that section. Work on palm muting, string skipping, and vibrato. This will make it easier to master the entire song. Listen to the original song again to check your progress. Make sure you're capturing the essence of the song. As you improve, you can start adding your own personal touches to the song. If you have some time, try to improvise over the chord progression. This will make your playing sound more interesting. Most importantly, have fun with it! Learning to play the guitar should be fun. Enjoy the process of learning and playing. It's more about the journey than the destination. Celebrate your progress and don't get discouraged by mistakes. Keep at it and you'll improve.

Final Thoughts: Rocking Out With "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)"

Congratulations, guitar guru! You're on your way to mastering "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)." Remember, practice consistently, pay attention to the details, and most of all, have fun! This song is a fantastic addition to your guitar repertoire. Keep rocking, and let the music take you away! Remember to always keep practicing and listening to the song. Listen closely to the original song and compare it to your playing. This will help you identify areas where you need to refine your technique and reproduce the song more accurately. Over time, you'll be able to play the song with ease and with more nuance. Enjoy the process of learning. It's a rewarding experience.