So Far Away: Authentic Guitar TAB

Mike Mushok's direct involvement in transcription elevates this beyond standard tabs. A guitarist learning these songs gets the actual voicings and tuning approaches Mushok uses, which means the sonic payoff comes from playing it right rather than fighting against generic fingerings. The breadth of material, spanning 14 tracks across the band's catalog, offers variety in style and difficulty without losing coherence.

These arrangements balance moments of intimate, fingerpicked vulnerability with heavier rock textures, often within the same song. The tuning choices create natural resonance and sustain that reward careful listening and playing; there's a textural richness that comes from Mushok's deliberate approach to each song's sonic landscape.

Guitarists already familiar with Staind's music who want to play these songs accurately rather than approximating them from ear or generic transcriptions. Intermediate to advanced players comfortable with alternate tunings and non-standard voicing approaches will benefit most from Mushok's specific guidance.

• Study the full-color photos to see hand positioning and fretboard approach. Mushok's unconventional tunings often enable open string resonance that standard tuning would require awkward stretching to replicate.
• Verify your tuning against the notation before each session. Non-standard tunings are the backbone of these arrangements; even a half-step variance changes the intended sonics.
• Work through slower passages first to absorb the fingering logic, then build tempo. The tabs show exactly where Mushok moves, not approximate positions.
• Listen to the recorded versions while following the tabs. Mushok's tone and dynamics inform why certain voicings matter; visual tab alone won't capture that intention.

For guitarists preparing a Staind retrospective set or tribute performance, this folio ensures stylistic authenticity and performance cohesion. The mix of ballads and rockers also serves teaching contexts where you're building a student's repertoire across contrasting emotional and technical approaches.

• Reading and executing alternate guitar tunings
• Translating tab notation into idiomatic fingering patterns
• Building awareness of how voicing choices affect tone and sustain
• Developing consistency across songs with shared tuning systems
• Understanding the relationship between composition intent and performance technique