Change (In the House of Flies) by Deftones demands attention from guitarists because its riff, tone, and arrangement teach control over dynamics, effects, and space rather than speed or technical showmanship.
Why Deftones’ Change tablature is worth learning for tone, feel, and arrangement
The track sits on White Pony and represents Deftones’ signature mix of sparse riffing and thick ambience; learning the song trains you to play with restraint, dial delay/reverb textures, and match vocal space.
Search terms like change deftones guitar tabs or Change (In the House of Flies) tab typically aim at four clear goals: nailing the main riff, matching the dynamics, recreating effects-driven tone, and understanding live versus studio changes.
Set your priorities before you play: get the riff’s timing and feel first, then layer effects and finally chase extra studio fills or live variations.
How this article addresses tab accuracy and different player levels
“Accurate tab” here means correct tuning, clear voicings, explicit articulations (slides, hammers, ghost notes), and a rhythmic guide showing where notes sit relative to the beat.
Content is split by level: beginner-friendly chord breakdowns and simplified rhythm options; intermediate to advanced note-for-note voicings and lead fills with suggested fingerings.
Always use the provided tabs alongside the recording. Match pitch first, then timing. Slow the track if needed and confirm articulations by ear.
Exact tuning, string setup, and gear to match Deftones’ guitar sound
Common tunings for Deftones material: C# standard (low to high: C# F# B E G# C#) and occasional Drop C# variants. Choose C# standard for the closest studio pitch on White Pony tracks.
Recommended string gauges for C# standard: .011-.054 or .012-.056 to retain tension for bends and cleaner intonation at low pitch.
Guitar types and pickups: humbuckers or P90s on a solid-body guitar for warmth. Single-coils can work if you use an overdrive to thicken the tone. Use neck or neck+middle positions for clean, rounded textures.
Amp voicing: start with a clean foundation, low to mid gain for breakup only on hits, slightly scooped mids but keep enough presence to cut through. Add lush delay and plate-style reverb for the wet feel.
Quick tuner and setup checklist before you play
1) Tune to C# standard and verify by matching a recorded reference pitch (vocals or guitar). 2) Check intonation at each tuning; low tunings can throw intonation off. 3) Raise action slightly if fretting buzz appears after down-tuning. 4) Use slightly heavier strings to retain string tension.
Troubleshooting: buzzing after down-tune usually means action or neck relief needs adjustment. If the low end is flabby, tighten the nut/bridge action and try heavier strings or EQ cuts around 120–250 Hz.
Step-by-step tablature and playthrough for the iconic intro/main riff
Tuning for these tabs: C# F# B E G# C# (low to high). The riff centers on A-string-root power shapes and ringing higher strings for ambience.
Intro/main riff (simplified chord hits; play with a clean tone, moderate delay and reverb):
e|———————–|
B|———————–|
G|—–6—–6———–|
D|—6—–6—6———|
A|-4—–4—–4———|
E|———————–|
Play as two-bar phrases with space after the second hit. Let the delay tails breathe. Palm-mute the lower hits slightly; let the top string notes ring.
Tricky techniques: ghost notes on the low strings give pulse—mute with the palm, then release to strike the chord. Use slight slides into the 6th fret on the G string for that signature sighing feel.
Practice tempo: start at 60–70 BPM, loop one bar until timing is consistent, then increase by 5–10 BPM increments until you reach the original feel (typically around 85–95 BPM depending on version).
Variations on the intro: studio take vs live renditions
Studio: often cleaner, with layered guitars and doubled delayed lines for fullness. Live: fills and extra chord stabs appear, and players sometimes add extra downstrokes or small melodic fragments between vocal lines.
Choose the studio version when aiming for faithful reproduction; choose live versions for energy and improvisation when performing with a band.
Verse rhythm patterns and chord voicings: tablature and how to groove
Verse uses sparse power-chord hits with space for vocals. Use muted 8th-note accents and leave rests to maintain pocket.
Common shapes (root on A-string): C#5 = A4-D6-G6 (play x-4-6-6-x-x); move this shape down to play B5 or A5 as needed for progressions.
Groove tip: accent the first beat of the bar and slightly ghost the “and” of 2 to create swing within a tight metronomic feel. That gap is what lets vocals sit over the guitar.
Simplified rhythm options for beginners
Alternative: play open chords or single-note roots to keep the song’s feel. Example: instead of full power chords, play single root notes on the A string (4, 2, 0) with long sustained strums and delay tails to preserve mood.
Capo note: transposing up for acoustic covers is a simple shortcut—move the song into a playable key and tune normally to avoid heavy low-tuning setup.
Pre-chorus and chorus: chord progression, open-strings, and textural layering
The chorus thickens with doubled parts: keep one guitar clean/delayed and another slightly overdriven for body. Add open-string drones where the melody allows to create dissonant intervals and sustain.
Tab the main chorus progression by keeping the same power-chord family but strum more open and let chords ring; palm-mute less to open the texture for the chorus impact.
Playing with a band: lock your hits with the kick drum for punch, and leave room in the midrange so vocals and bass can occupy the same frequencies.
Lead fills, melodic hooks, and guitar embellishments with tablature
Signature fills use small bends, slides, and controlled vibrato between vocal lines. Focus on phrasing: short sustain, soft release, then slight delay repeats.
Practice loops: isolate each fill at 60 BPM, play 10 repetitions clean, then increase speed by 5 BPM. Record the loop to check micro-timing and phrasing.
Effects, amp settings, and pedal chain to recreate Chino/Stephen-era textures
Suggested pedal order: Tuner -> Compressor (optional) -> Light Overdrive -> Modulation (chorus or subtle flange) -> Delay (digital or analog-delay emulation) -> Reverb (plate or hall). Keep overdrive minimal—tone comes from ambience, not heavy distortion.
Delay settings: tempo-synced dotted-eighth or quarter-note repeats with low feedback for spacing. Reverb: medium-to-large plate with pre-delay so notes stay defined.
Amp voicing: low to medium gain, scooped mids but keep presence; cut around 250–400 Hz if the low end gets muddy, and boost 1–3 kHz slightly for pick attack clarity.
Common tab transcription issues and how to verify accuracy against the recording
Frequent errors: wrong tuning assumption, missing articulations (slides, ghost notes), and incorrect rhythm notation. Tabs often show correct frets but ignore feel—avoid that trap.
How to verify: slow the recording to 50–75% with software, isolate guitar frequencies using an EQ or ear, and match note-for-note. Use a visual waveform to align transients if needed.
Useful tools: slow-down apps that preserve pitch, a DAW with tempo map, and spectrum analyzers to confirm pitch if tuning doubt arises.
Practice plan and play-along routine to master Change quickly
4-week plan: Week 1 — tuning, tone, and clean riff repetition at slow tempo. Week 2 — tighten groove, practice verse and chorus transitions, add palm-mute precision. Week 3 — learn lead fills and dynamics, integrate effects chain. Week 4 — full song run-throughs, perform with backing track, record and critique.
Micro-drills: 5-minute left-hand finger placement drill on chord shifts; 5-minute right-hand muting and strum accuracy; 10-minute metronome subdivisions focused practice.
Speed-up protocol: increase tempo only after 5 consecutive clean loops at current tempo; raise by 5 BPM and repeat.
Legal sources, licensed songbooks, and where to get high-quality Deftones tabs
Licensed sheet music and official songbooks (Hal Leonard, Musicnotes, and publisher-licensed tab books) provide legally cleared, accurate parts and are the safest source for paid tabs.
Reputable communities and paid tab sites may offer quality transcriptions, but always cross-check against official releases and use them for learning rather than redistribution.
Respect copyright: do not repost official tabs in full without permission. Use short excerpts for educational purposes and link to purchase sources for full transcriptions.
Troubleshooting FAQs: tuning mismatch, muddy low end, and timing woes
Q: Tuning mismatch — my guitar sounds off compared to the track. A: Confirm tuning to a reference pitch (keyboard or recording). If using C# standard, tune each string down and check intonation at the 12th fret; adjust saddle positions if notes are sharp/flat.
Q: Muddy low end — chords and riff sound boxed. A: Tighten string gauge, lower pickup height on the bridge pickup, cut 120–250 Hz on the amp or pedal EQ, and use palm muting to reduce unwanted resonance.
Q: Timing woes — riffs feel behind or ahead of the beat. A: Practice with a click, subdivide beats (triplets or 16ths as needed), and loop short sections while recording to identify micro-timing issues; play with the kick drum to lock hits.
Decision guide: simplify parts for live clarity if the arrangement feels indistinct; pursue exact replication only when tone and timing are dialed in.
Acoustic and stripped-down arrangements: playing Change unplugged or on one guitar
Chord-based voicings that retain mood: use minor open voicings and suspended chords to mimic the song’s tension—C#m, A, E add suspended 4ths on transitions to recreate ambient dissonance.
Strumming and picking: use gentle arpeggios with thumbed bass notes and light fingerpicking on higher strings to simulate delay tails. Add body with occasional slapped or palm-muted hits for dynamics.
Solo performance notes: control dynamics deliberately—play clean and intimate during verses, increase intensity into choruses, and use a small loop pedal to layer a delayed part if available.
Follow the tabs and setup steps here, confirm each phrase against the recording, and prioritize feel over perfect fretting—Change rewards restraint and atmosphere above all.
