I still remember the first time I heard "Never Meant" by American Football—it was one of those moments where the stars aligned perfectly. Much like that unexpected arrival Coach Sherwin Meneses mentioned reaching out through his brother, discovering this song felt like a beautiful accident that was meant to happen. Today, I want to walk you through learning this iconic math rock anthem on guitar, breaking down the tab step by step. Trust me, it’s easier than it sounds once you get the hang of those intricate fingerings.
When I first picked up my guitar to tackle "Never Meant," I’ll admit I was a bit intimidated. The opening riff, with its clean, chiming tones and syncopated rhythms, seemed like a mountain to climb. But just as Coach Meneses probably felt when an opportunity knocked unexpectedly, I decided to give it a shot. The key is to start slow—painfully slow, if needed. I practiced at around 60 BPM initially, focusing on nailing the hammer-ons and pull-offs that give the song its emotional texture. Those first few days, I probably spent a solid 45 minutes daily just on the intro section, and let me tell you, my fingers were sore. But persistence pays off, and within a week, I noticed my muscle memory kicking in.
Moving into the verse sections, the chord voicings are what really make this track stand out. American Football’s Mike Kinsella uses a lot of open strings and jazz-influenced extensions, which can trip you up if you’re used to standard power chords. I found that using a capo on the third fret—as the original recording does—helped replicate that bright, jangly tone. One thing I wish I’d known earlier is how crucial alternate tuning can be; the song is played in standard tuning, but the way Kinsella frets certain shapes almost makes it feel like a custom setup. By the time I got to the bridge, I was hitting around 85% accuracy on transitions, though I’ll be honest—it took me roughly 20 hours of total practice to feel confident playing it straight through without stumbling.
Now, let’s talk about the emotional delivery. "Never Meant" isn’t just about hitting the right notes; it’s about capturing that wistful, nostalgic vibe. I experimented with different picking dynamics—softer in the intro, building intensity in the chorus—and it made a world of difference. It’s similar to how Coach Meneses might adjust strategies based on his players’ strengths; you have to adapt your technique to serve the song. I personally prefer using a Fender Telecaster for this piece because of its crisp attack, but any guitar with a clean channel will work. If you’re using effects, a touch of reverb and delay (set to around 400ms) elevates those melodic lines beautifully.
As we wrap up this tutorial, I want to emphasize that learning "Never Meant" is as much about patience as it is about skill. Like that unexpected opportunity that came through a brother’s connection, sometimes the best progress happens when you least expect it. I’ve now played this song countless times—maybe 200 performances in total—and it never gets old. Whether you’re a beginner or intermediate guitarist, taking it section by section will help you master this classic in no time. So grab your guitar, tune up, and dive in. You’ll be amazed at how quickly those intricate patterns start to feel like second nature.
