Chord Progression and Rhythm
I am a Believer
Chord Progression and Rhythm
Advanced Rhythm
I am a Believer
Chord Progression and Rhythm
Advanced Rhythm
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction:
Torrins brings you another heartfelt guitar song lesson I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman, taught by J.J. Pattishall. This lesson focuses on fingerpicking, chord transitions, and rhythm techniques, making it a great song to develop both your picking accuracy and emotional expression.
Interesting Fact: This song carries deep personal meaning. Chapman wrote it as a promise to his wife during a difficult time when his parents were going through a divorce. It became one of his most beloved songs, offering reassurance and commitment through its lyrics and melody.
Chords & Song Structure
This lesson breaks the song into easy-to-follow sections: Intro & Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Song Demo, Rhythm, and Sing & Play.
Capo is on the 1st fret
Key used is D (relative to capo), actual tuning is Eb
Chords Used:
- Intro & Verse: Dsus2, A7sus4, Bm (a barre chord), Em7, and others
- Chorus: Bm/A, A/G, D/F#, and more
- Bridge: Includes a diminished chord and a piano/instrumental section
J.J. shares some alternatives for the difficult chords such as barre chords.
The chords are arpeggiated, giving the song its signature flow. J.J. carefully explains finger placement and picking techniques to help you achieve the song’s delicate feel.
Fingerpicking & Rhythm Patterns
This song features a beautiful fingerpicking pattern. J.J. breaks it down in detail, ensuring that even beginners can grasp the technique.
For those who find fingerpicking challenging, he also introduces two basic rhythm patterns as an alternative:
- DDUDDUDDUD – A straightforward strumming pattern
- DDUUDDDUUD – Adds syncopation for a more dynamic feel
Verse, Chorus & Bridge Breakdown
- Intro & Verse: J.J. carefully walks through the arpeggiated chords and explains how to maintain a steady rhythm. He also shares a technique to create a flowing fingerpicking style.
- Chorus: The transitions between chords like Bm/A, F#, A/G, and D/F# are broken down step by step. He highlights turnarounds, ensuring smooth movement between sections.
- Bridge: Features a diminished chord, adding tension and resolution to the song. J.J. also explains the piano and instrumental section.
Sing & Play – Coordinating Vocals & Guitar
This lesson doesn’t just teach you how to play the guitar part—it also helps you combine playing with singing. J.J. explains:
- How to sync your strumming or fingerpicking with the lyrics
- Phrasing techniques to match the melody with chord changes
- How to make the song your own while staying true to its essence
Final Song Demo & Play-Along
To bring everything together, J.J. performs the song with a backing track, reinforcing all the techniques covered in the lesson. This play-along section lets you practice along and refine your timing and transitions.
Why Learn I Will Be Here?
- Develops fingerpicking skills – great for improving coordination and technique
- Enhances chord transitions – teaches smooth movement between complex shapes
FAQs – I Will Be Here Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this lesson beginner-friendly?
Yes! While the fingerpicking and chord shapes may seem tricky at first, J.J. provides simplified alternatives and a step-by-step breakdown.
Q2: Can I strum instead of fingerpick?
Absolutely. J.J. introduces two strumming patterns for those who prefer a rhythmic approach.
Q3: Do I need a capo?
Yes, place the capo on the 1st fret to match the song’s key.
Similar Rock Songs
Introduction
Tune into Torrins’ guitar song lesson on the iconic single by American rock band Guns N' Roses, Sweet Child O’ Mine. This chart-topping hard rock song is taught by our instructor, Mike Walker. He has broken down the lesson into 10 parts for a detailed understanding of each section and to make learning easier. Find dedicated lessons on the intro, verses, choruses, interlude solos, main solo, and outro.
Fun Fact: "Sweet Child O' Mine" was born out of a playful jam session at the band’s house. Slash was fooling around with a "circus" melody to make drummer Steven Adler laugh when Izzy Stradlin suggested turning it into a song. Within an hour, the band had crafted the core structure, and Axl Rose, inspired by his girlfriend Erin Everly, wrote the heartfelt lyrics by the following afternoon.
Chords Used in Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Lesson
This song is played in half-step down tuning and features a mix of open chords and power chords. Some of the key chords used in the song include:
- C, D, Cadd9
- A power chord, Dsus4
Tune into the full lesson to learn all the chords and how to transition between them seamlessly.
Strumming Pattern
- Intermediate/advanced rhythm: Alternating strumming pattern with pull-off techniques for added depth
- A lick is layered over the chorus, and Mike walks you through how to blend it into the song smoothly
Song Structure
This song follows a well-defined verse-chorus format:
- Intro Riff – The iconic opening lick is based on a repetitive motion with just the first note changing. It’s repeated twice.
- Verse 1 & 2 – Follows an 8-bar phrase played twice using three chords. Incorporates a pull-off pattern. Mike breaks down the intricacies of the verses in great detail.
- Chorus – Mix of power chords and open chords like A power chord, C5, and Dsus4. A lick is played over the chorus for added texture.
- Solo 1 – The rhythm underneath the solo is half the length of the verse.
- Verse 2 – Similar to Verse 1.
- Chorus 2 – Same as Chorus 1.
- Solo 2 – A longer solo covering an entire verse.
- Chorus 3 – Double the length of the previous choruses.
- Outro Solo – Includes wah-wah pedal, hammer-ons, pull-offs, sliding, and some resting measures for dynamic effect.
Why Learn Sweet Child O' Mine?
This lesson covers not just the guitar parts but also the feel and dynamics that make the song iconic.
- Learn the nuances of Slash’s soloing style
- Improve your pull-offs and hammer-ons
- Master playing with a wah-wah pedal for expressive control
FAQs – Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
Ans: This lesson is ideal for intermediate and advanced players.
Q2. What’s the trick to mastering the intro riff?
Ans: Focus on the repetitive pattern and ensure the other strings are muted for a clean sound.
Introduction
Learn to play Island In The Sun by an American rock band called Weezers with this beginner-friendly guitar tutorial, taught by our expert tutor, Steve Luciano. Master chords, rhythms, and backing tracks with ease.
Steve breaks this song down using just four simple chords—yes, only four—played in a repetitive pattern. Two of them? E minor and A minor. Want to learn the rest and master the rhythm that brings this song to life? Tune in to the full tutorial!
Chords Used in Island In The Sun Guitar Lesson
Verse & Chorus Chords: The verse and chorus use open string chords
The original version of the song is played using movable chords, however, Steve teaches this guitar song tutorial using open chords to ensure ease of playing for beginners.
Steve breaks down this song to play it using 4 easy chords used repetitively. However, the rhythm is slightly complex.
Strumming Pattern: This song follows a common 4/4 time signature with a two-measure pattern. Steve uses an anticipating rhythm to add syncopation on the upbeat, giving the song a more dynamic feel
For the intro part, the rhythm is slightly tricky– DDUDDUUDUDD.
However, as the vocal comes in, the rhythm becomes simpler and repeats in this pattern– DDUDDDDUDD
Since the rhythm of this is slightly more complex, Steve teaches this song using simple open string chords, instead of movable chords like the original version, so that it’s easier on the left hand. This gives an overall great groove to the song.
Why Learn Island in the Sun on the Guitar?
- This guitar lesson focuses on rhythm mastery, particularly syncopation and anticipating beats.
- Great for improving timing, strumming control, and chord switching.
- Provides a relaxed, island-like groove, making it fun to play.
Tips for Mastering the Rhythm
Start slow: Play the intro rhythm at a slower tempo and then gradually increase the speed.
- Use a metronome: It helps develop consistency, especially with anticipation and syncopation.
- Strum lightly: Overstrumming can kill the groove—aim for a relaxed wrist motion.
FAQs – Island In The Sun Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
- Yes! Although the rhythm is slightly tricky, Steve simplifies it by using open chords instead of movable ones.
Q2: How can I improve my rhythm for this song?
- Focus on anticipation, follow Steve’s guidance, and practice with a metronome.





































