Chords and Progression

Perfect - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that needs no introduction. Perfect by Ed Sheeran topped all the charts in 2017 and became a super duper hit worldwide. This song has now become part of mainstream pop youth culture. All lovers, depending on their heartbroken status, either love or hate this song. It has collected more than 4.9 billion views (almost half of humanity) on YouTube since its release and has been in all the romance playlists on every streaming service platform.

The song is a ballad celebrating the traditional marriage relationship between two lovers, written about Sheeran’s wife-to-be, Cherry Seaborn, whom he had known since he was in school and then reconnected with her when she was working in New York. Sheeran has said the song captures the feeling of finding "the one" - that magical moment when you realise you've met your soulmate.

Perfect Guitar Lesson

The guitar lesson on Perfect is an easy one. Nevertheless, the lesson has many sections that talk about the chords and rhythm of the song, and a section on improvisation where the instructor is demonstrating how to solo over the track.

The song only has four chords, namely – G - Em7 - Cadd9 - D, which the tutor explains is meant to be played with the capo on the 1st fret, as does Sheeran himself in live performances. The strumming of the song goes in triplets of 4, covering four bars of music.

The thing about minor 7th chords and augmented chords used in the song is that in the open position, they share some of the notes, and when chords share notes, the phenomenon of voice leading occurs. Voice leading is when the notes of one chord lead to another, creating an interesting movement between anticipation and resolution in the music.

Although the studio recording version of the song uses a capo on the first fret, the lesson here demonstrates both ways, with and without a capo, of playing the song in its entirety. The song follows a 12/8 time signature, and the rhythm sounds like that of a waltz, which makes it an easy song to dance to, especially with one’s lover.

The lesson makes available Perfect lyrics and chords along with the video lesson, which the advanced players can refer to when learning the song.

FAQs

Q. What is the story behind Ed Sheeran's song Perfect?

Perfect was written by Ed Sheeran as a love song for his then-girlfriend (now wife) Cherry Seaborn. The lyrics describe their real-life romance, from meeting as teenagers to falling in love as adults.

Q. What key is Perfect?

Perfect is written in the key of Ab major (G major for live performances), though most guitarists use a capo on the 1st fret to make the chords easier to play. This transposition means you'll be playing standard shapes like G, Em, C and D but hearing them in Ab major.

Introduction:

The Middle was released by the band Jimmy Eat World in October 2001 as the second single of their fourth album called, Bleed American (2001). The song became an instant hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2002 and it also reached top 50 in various other countries like Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The Middle is a power chord driven song which includes fast strumming as well. But if you want you can add arpeggios for adding a bit of variation. 

The optional arpeggio-picking pattern is as follows: 

E|----------------|  

B|------3--------|  

G|----2---2------|  

D|--0-------0----|  

A|--------------|  

E|--------------|  

Strumming Pattern 

This song has open power chords in the chorus section and palm muting in the verses, giving it a classic high-energy-punk rock feel. 

The strumming pattern goes like this: D - D - D - U - D - U  

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum
• - = Pause (mute or let the chord ring)

Song Structure 

Introduction: In the introduction Mike Walker your guitar instructor will teach you how to tune up your guitar in order to play this song. 

Song Demo: This is the final part where Mike will play the guitar part of the song while it plays at the back to show you how to sync up with other instruments and vocals. 

Song Arrangement: Here you will learn how to play the intro, and the middle section of the song along with required intervals which provides the riff of the song that iconic sound. 

Overdubs: In this part of the guitar lesson, you will be learning about the overdubs that you will be playing besides verses 1, 2 and 3. 

Solo Lesson: In this section Mike is going to teach you piece-by-piece how to play the solo of The Middle and give you tips on how to make it sound melodic. 

Why Learn The Middle By Jimmy Eat The World Song?

For someone who is into punk-rock, Jimmy Eat The World’s The Middle is the holy grail of punk music to start with. The main riff of the song is pretty catchy and it can be played using easy power chords. Also, this song can be used as a great introduction to palm muting which allows you to build tight rhythm playing. 

FAQs-The Middle By Jimmy Eat The World Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the meaning behind the song “The Middle?”

Ans. It reflects the hard time that the band had to go through when there was no funding, and they had kept things simple in their recording rather than doing experimentation as they were doing in their previous records. 

Q2. When did Jimmy Eat The World start?

Ans. The band was formed in 1993 and they released their debut EP, entitled One, Two, Three and Four in 1994 under Wooden Blue Records. 

Q3. What is the music genre of Jimmy Eat The World?

Ans. The sound the band created falls in the category of punk rock; the first demo tape of the band was released in 1993, followed by their debut EP.

Game of Throne Rock Version Cover by Kfir Ochaion - Introduction

The "Game of Thrones" theme is one of the most recognizable TV scores ever written, and Kfir Ochaion’s rock cover gives it a powerful new energy. Kfir is an Israeli guitarist known for turning vocal melodies into expressive guitar lines. His version takes the original orchestral arrangement and transforms it into a full rock instrumental, complete with soaring leads and heavy rhythms. The cover stays true to the epic feel of the original while adding guitar-driven intensity.

Kfir Ochaion started playing guitar at age 10, inspired by classic rock legends. His YouTube channel, launched in 2014, has grown to over 2.2 million subscribers thanks to his unique style. He doesn’t just play the notes—he makes the guitar "sing" like a human voice. This "Game of Thrones" cover is a great example of his approach, where every bend and vibrato mimics the drama of the original melody. His version keeps the song’s grand scale but makes it fit perfectly for electric guitar.

Game of Throne Rock Version Cover by Kfir Ochaion Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down Kfir Ochaion’s rock arrangement of the "Game of Thrones" theme. The song is in E minor, and the main melody follows the original tune closely but with added rock techniques. The opening riff uses sustained notes with wide vibrato to copy the horn section from the TV version. The left hand must control each note’s pitch carefully to keep the melody sounding smooth and powerful.

The rhythm parts use palm-muted power chords to build tension in the verses. The pre-chorus switches to open chords with ringing arpeggios, creating contrast before the heavy riff returns. Kfir’s version includes a guitar solo section that wasn’t in the original. This solo uses the E harmonic minor scale for a dramatic, cinematic sound. Fast alternate picking runs and controlled bends make this part challenging but rewarding to learn.

For the main theme, Kfir uses slides and legato to connect notes fluidly. The phrasing is key, with pauses in the right places. The chorus brings big power chords and double stops to thicken the sound. Dynamic control is crucial here, as the part shifts between loud, aggressive strums and softer, cleaner passages.

Beginners should start by learning the melody slowly, focusing on note accuracy before adding vibrato. Intermediate players can work on the solo’s faster licks and the precise muting needed for the rhythm parts. Advanced guitarists should study how Kfir blends techniques—hybrid picking, bends, and harmonics—to make the guitar sound almost orchestral.

FAQs

Q. What effects does Kfir use in this cover?

A medium-gain overdrive, delay for atmosphere, and reverb to create space.

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

The melody is playable at slower speeds, but the solo and dynamic control require intermediate skills.

Q. How do I practice the fast alternate picking parts?

Use a metronome starting at half speed. Increase tempo only when you can play cleanly.

Introduction

I Will Wait is a song by Mumford & Sons. It was released in the United States in 2012 as a lead single for their second studio album, Babel (2012). Rolling Stones Magazine named this song as the 13th-best song that came out that year. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: In the key of D flat, you have to put on a capo on the first fret of your guitar to play this song. 

Strumming Pattern 

The basic strumming pattern which you need to follow for this song is: D - D - U - U D U. 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

This strumming pattern results in a rolling, percussive feel, which resonates with the song’s energetic drive. 

Song Structure 

• Introduction: In this part of the guitar lesson, your guitar instructor talks about the song and the band Mumford & Sons. He will also teach you how to tune the guitar in order to play this song. 
• Chords and Rhythm: In this section, you will learn how to play both the rhythm and the vocal sections of the song. Furthermore, J.J. Pattishall will show you how to keep up with the underlying rhythm of the song. 
• Song Arrangement: This part of the guitar lesson is divided into five different sections: intro, verse, pre-chorus, bridge, and chorus to make it easier for you to learn chord progressions that you need to play at a certain point in the song. 
• Sing and Play: Here, you will learn how to sing along as you play chords on the guitar. Your guitar instructor will show you how you can mark certain downbeats to steer your vocal in the right direction as you sing along. 
• Song Demo: At this point, J.J is going to give a demo of the song where he plays the song on guitar and sings along with the backing track. 
• Non-Capo Version: This is the alternative version of the song, which does not require capo at all. 

Good Times Bad Times - Introduction

Good Times Bad Times" is the first song on Led Zeppelin's 1969 debut album. The band released it as their first single in America. John Paul Jones wrote the main riff on a Hammond organ before playing it on bass. Jimmy Page used a Fender Telecaster guitar with a Tone Bender pedal for a fuzzy sound.

John Bonham played fast triplets on his bass drum with one foot. This drum technique impressed Jimi Hendrix. Robert Plant recorded his vocals twice to make them sound thicker. The song was almost called "A Man I Know" before they changed the title.

Good Times Bad Times Guitar Lesson

Mike Dugan's lesson breaks down every essential element of this classic track. The song's foundation lies in its deceptively simple power chord progression in E major. What makes it unique is the sliding technique between chords rather than the typical staccato approach. When playing the main riff (E5-D5-A5), focus on smoothly gliding between positions while maintaining steady palm muting for that tight, punchy sound. The verse rhythm follows a syncopated pattern that locks perfectly with John Bonham's groundbreaking drum work.

The guitar solo represents one of Jimmy Page's most inventive early recordings. Using a Leslie speaker cabinet (typically used for organs), Page created that distinctive swirling, phase-shifted tone. The solo primarily uses the E minor pentatonic scale (E-G-A-B-D) but incorporates several blues techniques. Pay special attention to the quick hammer-on/pull-off licks between the 12th and 15th frets on the B string, and the dramatic whole-step bends on the G string at the 14th fret. The solo's second half features rapid alternate picking that requires precise right-hand control.

For the rhythm parts, the secret lies in the dynamic contrast between sections. The verses use a tight, muted strumming pattern (down-up-down-up with emphasis on beats 2 and 4), while the choruses open up with full, ringing chords. Notice how Page slightly delays his strums during the verses to create that signature laid-back groove. The bridge section introduces a clever variation with quick chord changes (E-D-C#m-B) that build tension before returning to the main riff.

Advanced players should study the subtle nuances that make this recording special. Page's use of partial chords (often just the root and fifth with occasional added octaves) creates a lean, powerful sound. His muting technique - a combination of left-hand fret muting and right-hand palm muting - gives the rhythm parts their distinctive percussive quality. For authentic tone, use a Telecaster with the tone knob rolled back slightly, a medium-gain overdrive, and a small tube amp set clean with just a touch of natural breakup.

FAQs

Q. What tuning does this song use?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E). No special tuning needed.

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

The power chords are easy, but the slides and strumming take practice.

Q. What guitar effects were used?

Page used a Tone Bender fuzz pedal and Leslie speaker on the solo.

Hotel California - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on the acoustic version of one of the greatest songs of all time, Hotel California by The Eagles. This specific arrangement replaces the original electric instruments with nylon-string guitars, creating a different interpretation of the song. The track keeps the same chord progression and structure as the studio version but uses fingerpicking patterns and multiple guitar harmonies.

Hotel California, as writer Henley put it, is more of a symbolic piece about America in general, and added, “Lyrically, the song deals with traditional or classical themes of conflict: darkness and light, good and evil, youth and age, the spiritual versus the secular. I guess you could say it's a song about the loss of innocence”.

The song follows a narrative about a traveller staying at a mysterious hotel, with lyrics that some interpret as commentary on American culture, for instance, the most iconic line of the song being “you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave”.

Hotel California Guitar Lesson

Hotel California guitar lesson is taught by our beloved expert, Mike Walker, who explains all the different sections of the song in a section-by-section manner, starting from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, through the acoustic overdubs and the guitar solo section.

The song features a number of minor 7ths, dominants, suspended and augmented chords. The intro alone covers all these variations of these chords. The tutor, nevertheless, goes into detail explaining how to play them using a fingerpicking pattern.

The song is written in B minor; the live acoustic version uses a capo on the 7th fret, making it an E minor. The intro follows a repeating progression of Em-B7-Dsus-A7-C-G-Am7-B7, which establishes the harmonic foundation.

Since this is an acoustic version of the song, played by multiple guitarists. There are a number of artistic motifs and embellishments using techniques like double stops, arpeggios, and most importantly, the individual guitarists harmonising with each other throughout the song.

The tutor explains all the solos of the song in great detail, the last of which features some of the notes from the harmonic minor scale, which carry a signature sound of the desert, or the Middle East. This lends itself literally to the theme of the narrative of the song.

FAQs

Q. Do I need a nylon-string guitar to play this version?

While the original recording uses nylon strings, you can play it on a steel-string acoustic. The tone will sound brighter, but the chords and techniques remain the same.

Q. Why is the capo on the 7th fret? Can I play it without one?

The capo transposes the chords to match the original key (B minor) and allows easier open-position shapes. Without a capo, you’ll need to play full barre chords in B minor.