Epic Seven Nation Army Chords & Guitar Lesson

Picture this… 

You’re in a giant stadium for an event.

The crowd is stirring, feeling rebellious and rambunctious…

They’re wondering what is about to happen. Who will hit the stage or field? Suddenly, a guitar riff comes through the speakers…

What riff is it gonna be?

Well, a very common one is the mighty “Seven Nation Army” guitar riff.

In this post, I’m going to break down some insider tips on Jack White’s guitar style, and how you can get playing like this too.

So grab your guitar, and let’s dive into this “Seven Nation Army” chords and guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Seven Nation Army?

"Seven Nation Army" is one the most famous songs by the American rock band The White Stripes. It was written by Jack White, the band’s lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary writer. 

The song beats with a strong feeling of defiance and empowerment. As the lyrics sing of fighting back against forces and obstacles the narrator faces.

“Seven Nation Army” was featured on the band's fourth studio album, Elephant, released in 2003. It has a very minimalist production, and one of its most iconic aspects is the bass line, which is played on a guitar and heavily processed through a pitch shifter, creating the deep, bass-like sound that became its signature. 

Jack White, who was primarily a guitarist, used a pitch shifter to lower the guitar's notes to produce the bassline sound, leading many listeners to believe it was played on an actual bass guitar.

The song was recorded in 2002, at Toe Rag Studios in London. It was produced and engineered by Jack White alongside Meg White, the band's drummer. Their recording process was famously lo-fi, using vintage equipment to give the album a raw and organic sound.

"Seven Nation Army" quickly became one of The White Stripes' biggest hits and is often regarded as one of the greatest rock songs of the 2000s. The song was a massive commercial success, reaching the top of several international charts. It was nominated for a Grammy Award and won the Best Rock Song category in 2004. 

Over the years, "Seven Nation Army" has been embraced not just as a rock anthem, but as a symbol of empowerment. The song's riff has been adopted as a rallying cry in various contexts, from political protests to sports celebrations, giving it a life of it’s own. 

Now, you may be wondering…

What is the tuning for Seven Nation Army?

The tuning for "Seven Nation Army”, as recorded by The White Stripes, is standard tuning. Jack kept it simple.

Standard tuning for a guitar is spelled out as EADGBE.  

Here are the strings: 

• E (6th string, lowest pitch)
• A (5th string)
• D (4th string)
• G (3rd string)
• B (2nd string)
• E (1st string, highest pitch) 

Next, let’s take a look at the…

Seven Nation Army Chords

To play “Seven Nation Army” on guitar you’ll need to know 6 main chords they are E, G, D, C, B, and A. The first 5 chords can all be played as the same shape, just in different places on the fretboard. Let’s take a look at a few ways the “Seven Nation Army” chords can be played:   

E is played from the 5th string down like this:

G moves up 3 frets like so:

D shifts down to the 5th position like this:

C moves down 2 more frets from there like this:

B is played in 2nd position like this:

Can you see how all those chords are the same shape just in different places on the neck?

Finally, we have the A chord which is played in 5th position and using all 6 strings.

If you’ve struggled to understand the fretboard for RHYTHM and LEAD guitar and want to discover the simplest way. Then get your hands on my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:  

All right! Now that you know the "Seven Nation Army” chords, let’s next talk about…

What key is Seven Nation Army in?

"Seven Nation Army" as recorded by The White Stripes is in the key of E minor. However, the majority of the chords do not fit into the diatonic scale of Em. It’s a fascinating progression that defies the rules of traditional Western harmony. It’s a perfect example of the blues in context with rock. 

The chords break down like this:

E (Implied Tonic or Root)

The song draws from E minor blues scale (E, G, A, Bb, B, D), which are foundational to blues and rock music. The use of E as a pedal point gives the progression its stability amidst the non-diatonic chords. E acts as the tonal anchor, giving the riff its strong sense of "home." The ambiguity between major and minor (neither G# nor G appears definitively in the riff) is typical in blues and rock, creating a raw, gritty feeling.

G (Flat 3rd / Blues Note)

The G chord introduces the minor 3rd (G) into the progression, a hallmark of blues tonality. In a traditional diatonic sense, G doesn't belong in the key of E major or E minor, but it fits perfectly in the E blues scale. Blues often uses the flat 3rd as a melodic or harmonic pivot, even in an otherwise major-sounding context. The G chord contrasts with the E chord, emphasizing the "call-and-response" dynamic that’s common in blues progressions.

D (Flat 7th)

The D chord introduces the flat 7th (D) relative to E, which is another classic blues characteristic. This chord is also a crucial part of the mixolydian mode (E mixolydian: E, F#, G#, A, B, C#, D).

C (Flat 6th)

The C chord introduces the flat 6th (C) relative to E. This also appears in minor blues contexts or as part of the E phrygian dominant scale (E, F, G#, A, B, C, D).

B (5th / Dominant)

The B chord is one of the most diatonic-sounding chords in the progression, functioning as the dominant (V) chord relative to E. Its inclusion provides a sense of structure within the otherwise modal framework.

A (4th or Subdominant)

The A chord functions as the subdominant (IV) relative to E, a staple in blues progressions. The A chord adds to the "blues rock" vibe by emphasizing the root-4th relationship. This comes in during the chorus of “Seven Nation Army”.

So that’s the theory, next, let’s look at…

What is the strumming pattern for Seven Nation Army

The main underlying groove for “Seven Nation Army” is a driving 8th-note rock feel.

In 4/4 time, 8th notes divide each beat into two equal parts, creating a driving, steady rhythm like this: 

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

The numbers (1, 2, 3, 4) represent the main beats in the measure, while the "&" represents the offbeats that add energy and momentum.

When counted out loud, it sounds like:

"One-and, Two-and, Three-and, Four-and."

This gives a strong, consistent forward motion, perfect for a rock feel with n epic groove. Here’s an example of a “Seven Nation Army” strumming pattern:

Conclusion

To wrap it up, whether you’re jamming out in your music room, or playing a giant stadium to thousands of screaming fans “Seven Nation Army” won’t let you down.

It’s also a perfect example of how fundamentals of the blues can blend with rock and pop. 

Keep practicing, and if you want to learn songs faster, better understand the fretboard, and not waste years spinning your wheels with guitar, grab my free fretboard guide PDF right here now:    

Jon MacLennan