Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into the awesome world of Breaking Benjamin and learn how to play their emotional hit, "Without You," on your guitar? Well, you've come to the right place! This article is your ultimate guide to mastering this song, complete with guitar tabs, insights, and tips to help you nail every note. Let's get started!

Introduction to "Without You"

"Without You" is a powerful and emotive track by the American rock band Breaking Benjamin, featured on their album Dark Before Dawn, released in 2015. The song is known for its heartfelt lyrics, soaring vocals, and dynamic instrumentation, making it a favorite among fans. The song has resonated with listeners due to its relatable themes of loss, longing, and resilience. Capturing the raw emotion and intricate guitar work of "Without You" can be a rewarding experience for any guitarist.

The song's structure is fairly straightforward, making it accessible for intermediate players while still offering enough complexity to challenge more advanced guitarists. The clean, arpeggiated verses contrast beautifully with the heavier, distorted choruses, creating a dynamic soundscape that keeps listeners engaged. Understanding the interplay between these sections is key to capturing the essence of "Without You."

Moreover, "Without You" showcases Breaking Benjamin's signature blend of alternative rock and post-grunge elements. The song features both acoustic and electric guitar parts, creating a rich, layered sound that is both melodic and impactful. Whether you're a fan of the band or simply looking for a compelling song to add to your repertoire, "Without You" is a great choice.

Why Learn This Song?

Learning "Without You" is not just about adding another song to your playlist; it's about honing your guitar skills and understanding the nuances of modern rock music. The song provides an opportunity to work on your fingerpicking technique, chord transitions, and dynamic control. Plus, it's a fantastic song to play and sing along to, making it a crowd-pleaser at any jam session or acoustic performance. For aspiring guitarists, mastering this song is a significant step forward. For experienced players, it’s a chance to appreciate the well-crafted composition and emotional depth that Breaking Benjamin brings to their music.

Tuning and Basic Chords

Before we dive into the tabs, let's make sure your guitar is properly tuned. "Without You" is played in standard tuning (EADGBe). Having your guitar in tune is crucial for achieving the correct sound and making the learning process smoother.

Essential Chords

Here are some of the basic chords you'll need to know to play "Without You":

• Em (E minor): 022000
• C (C major): x32010
• G (G major): 320003
• D (D major): xx0232
• Am (A minor): x02210

These chords form the backbone of the song, and mastering them is essential for playing "Without You" accurately. Practice transitioning between these chords smoothly to improve your overall playing. Understanding how these chords fit together in the song's progression will also give you a deeper appreciation for the music.

Chord Progressions

The song primarily revolves around a few key chord progressions. Understanding these progressions will help you memorize the song structure and play along with ease. The main progression is:

Verse:

Em - C - G - D

Chorus:

Am - C - G - D

These progressions are repeated throughout the song with slight variations, so familiarizing yourself with them will make learning the entire song much easier. Pay attention to the timing and rhythm of each chord change to capture the song's feel. By breaking down the song into these simple progressions, you can learn the song piece by piece, building confidence as you go.

Guitar Tabs and Song Structure

Alright, let’s get to the good stuff – the guitar tabs! I’ll break down the song section by section to make it easier to follow along.

Intro

The intro features a clean, arpeggiated guitar part that sets the mood for the song. Here’s a simplified version:

e|----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------0-----------1-----------3-----------0-------------------|
G|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----------------|
D|----2-------2---2-------2---0-------0---0-------0---------------|
A|--2-----------3-----------2-----------2------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|

This intro riff is played using fingerpicking, so take your time to get the pattern down. Focus on maintaining a consistent tone and rhythm.

Verse

The verse follows the Em - C - G - D chord progression. Here’s a basic tab for the verse:

Em
I’m sorry for the things I’ve done

e|--0--0--0--0--|
B|--0--0--0--0--|
G|--0--0--0--0--|
D|--2--2--2--2--|
A|--2--2--2--2--|
E|--0--0--0--0--|

C
I didn’t mean to hurt no one

e|--0--0--0--0--|
B|--1--1--1--1--|
G|--0--0--0--0--|
D|--2--2--2--2--|
A|--3--3--3--3--|
E|--x--x--x--x--|

G
And I know I let you down

e|--3--3--3--3--|
B|--0--0--0--0--|
G|--0--0--0--0--|
D|--0--0--0--0--|
A|--2--2--2--2--|
E|--3--3--3--3--|

D
But I promise it won’t happen again

e|--2--2--2--2--|
B|--3--3--3--3--|
G|--2--2--2--2--|
D|--0--0--0--0--|
A|--x--x--x--x--|
E|--x--x--x--x--|

Strum each chord four times, keeping a steady rhythm. Pay attention to the dynamics of the song, gradually increasing the intensity as you approach the chorus.

Chorus

The chorus kicks in with a heavier, distorted sound. The chord progression is Am - C - G - D. Here’s a tab for the chorus:

Am
Without you, without you

e|--0--0--0--0--|
B|--1--1--1--1--|
G|--2--2--2--2--|
D|--2--2--2--2--|
A|--0--0--0--0--|
E|--x--x--x--x--|

C
I’m nothing at all

e|--0--0--0--0--|
B|--1--1--1--1--|
G|--0--0--0--0--|
D|--2--2--2--2--|
A|--3--3--3--3--|
E|--x--x--x--x--|

G
Without you, without you

e|--3--3--3--3--|
B|--0--0--0--0--|
G|--0--0--0--0--|
D|--0--0--0--0--|
A|--2--2--2--2--|
E|--3--3--3--3--|

D
I’m nothing at all

e|--2--2--2--2--|
B|--3--3--3--3--|
G|--2--2--2--2--|
D|--0--0--0--0--|
A|--x--x--x--x--|
E|--x--x--x--x--|

Use a more aggressive strumming pattern in the chorus to bring out the energy of the song. Make sure to switch to a distorted guitar tone for the chorus to match the original recording.

Bridge

The bridge provides a change of pace, often featuring a more melodic and atmospheric guitar part. Pay close attention to the nuances of the bridge to add depth to your performance.

(Bridge Chords: Em - C - G - D)

e|----------------------------------------------------------------|
B|--------0-----------1-----------3-----------0-------------------|
G|------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-------0---0-----------------|
D|----2-------2---2-------2---0-------0---0-------0---------------|
A|--2-----------3-----------2-----------2------------------------|
E|0------------------------------------------------------------|

This section is similar to the intro but may include additional layers or variations. Listen carefully to the original recording to capture the subtleties of the bridge.

Tips for Mastering "Without You"

Here are some tips to help you master "Without You" and take your playing to the next level:

Practice Slowly

Start by practicing the song at a slower tempo to get the chord changes and fingerpicking patterns down. Once you’re comfortable, gradually increase the speed until you reach the original tempo.

Use a Metronome

A metronome is your best friend when it comes to improving your timing. Use it while practicing to ensure you’re playing in time and developing a solid sense of rhythm.

Listen to the Original

Listen to the original recording of "Without You" frequently to internalize the song’s dynamics, phrasing, and overall feel. This will help you play the song with authenticity and emotion.

Record Yourself

Record yourself playing the song and listen back to identify areas for improvement. This can be a humbling but effective way to refine your technique and identify bad habits.

Break It Down

If you’re struggling with a particular section of the song, break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Practice each chunk separately until you can play it flawlessly, then gradually piece them together.

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! A comprehensive guide to playing Breaking Benjamin's "Without You" on guitar. With a little practice and patience, you'll be shredding this song in no time. Remember to take your time, focus on the details, and most importantly, have fun! Now go grab your guitar and start playing! Rock on!

By following these steps and practicing consistently, you’ll be well on your way to mastering "Without You" and impressing your friends with your guitar skills. Keep practicing and enjoy the journey!