Teenage Dirtbag (Wheatus) Guitar Lesson with TAB

Teenage Dirtbag Guitar Lesson + TAB
In this guitar lesson, we look at TAB for all sections. These parts are designed to work on one guitar in a band, or played acoustically!


Teenage Dirtbag | TAB


Let’s go through all sections to discover how the different chords and riffs are repeated throughout.

I’ve designed the TAB to work on one guitar in a band, imitating the layered guitars on the original recording. They will also work on just one acoustic, do pay attention to all the small details.

Here’s the intro, verse, and instrumental section.

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, intro, instrumental, verse.

The E is an E5, we avoid string 3, genius! The B5 is powerful thanks to the open strings. The Asus2 has no 3rd. Notice how the first hit is two strings and the second three. This helps with the groove.

Here’s the bridge, only one chord and the order has changed, the new chord is the relative minor of E, VI instead of I.

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, bridge.

Here’s the chorus, all power chords, distortion on! Notice how I add more strings for each chord.

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, chorus.


Here’s the chorus tag, first time we get a full triad. The part is repetitive before we recycle the last four beats of the chorus. The way this builds is so clever.

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, chorus tag.

Here’s the breakdown chorus, I’m again messing with the number of strings, play the most where the snare goes (2 and 4).

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, chorus 4.

Lastly, here’s the outro. You must learn this note for note as everyone in the band will play this. Nailing parts like this makes you sound like a rehearsed band, even if you formed the band in the car park!

Teenage Dirtbag TAB, outro.


Teenage Dirtbag TAB | Related Pages


Teenage Dirtbag | Chords + Lyrics

Teenage Dirtbag chords lesson.

You can learn how to play Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.

E B5 | E Aadd9 |
Her name is Noelle, I have a dream about her…


Five similar tunes | Chords + Lyrics

When you can play the TAB for Teenage Dirtbag, try these five tunes from the songbook.


Wheatus tunes

Wheatus wrote Teenage Dirtbag.

Brendan B. Brown grew up playing Iron Maiden and AC/DC tunes, contemplating the hardship of Western white male teenage years first-hand.

As Wheatus‘ guitarist, singer, and songwriter he managed to sum this up perfectly in his massive tune Teenage Dirtbag.


Wheatus on the web

Listen to Wheatus on Spotify.


About me | Dan Lundholm

Dan Lundholm wrote this guitar lesson and TAB for Teenage Dirtbag.

This guitar lesson by Dan Lundholm features TAB and covers Teenage Dirtbag. Discover more about him and how you can learn guitar with Spytunes.

Most importantly, find out why you should learn guitar through playing tunes, not practising scales, and studying theory in isolation.


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