Introduction

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Electronic

Taught by

Pranay Verma

Don't Cry

by Bill Peck

Taught by

Bill Peck

Bombtrack

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Bombtrack is one of the explosive songs from Rage Against the Machine’s debut album. In addition to this, it comes with powerful riffs, and groove-driven rhythms and it also includes aggressive energy.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: There are no traditional arpeggios in the verse, instead you have to follow heavy power chords with a combination of muted rhythms.

e|---------------------------------|

B|---------------------------------|

G|---------------------------------|

D|---------4-4-2-2-4--------------|

A|---2-2--------------------------|

E|---------------------------------|

Strumming Pattern

This song follows a more tight-riff playing than your traditional strumming. As a result, you have to follow the rhythm guitar approach to be more precise and smooth. Here is how you should be strumming with a palm-muted downstroke approach for punchy rhythm: D D D D D U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum

Song Structure

Introduction: In this introduction section Mike Walker your guitar instructor teaches you how to tune up the guitar for this song.

Song Arrangement: Here Mike shows you how to play the intro, midsection and the outro of the song. He shares his knowledge of guitar playing and how the intro is a 4 bar phase.

Overdub: Here, you will learn how to play the overdubs which come at the start of the song.

Song Demo: This is where you will learn how to play the entire song with the backing track to keep up guitar chords with the original time signature of the song.

Solo 1: Over here you will be learning how to play the first solo which is present right after the first bridge.

Outro Solo: This is the final part of this guitar lesson, here Mike is going to show you how to play outro solo.

Why Learn Bombtrack By Rage Against The Machine Song?

This is a pretty intricate song to learn that starts with simple yet heavy riffs, as a result, it is perfect for learning palm muting, power chord slides and even for practicing tight picking. This is one of the few songs from Rage Against the Machine which is beginner friendly, the guitar lesson that we have here is perfect for individuals who want to improve their riff-based playing.

FAQs – Bombtrack Guitar Lesson

Q1. Why is Range Against the Machine Controversial?

Ans. One of the biggest reasons why Rage Against the Machine is controversial is because of their fiercely political music that comes with sloganeering left-wing rants against the corporate culture of America.

Q2. How many BPM is Bombtrack?

Ans. This song is at 152 BPM; the song runs for 4 minutes and 3 seconds in the key of E and with a major mode.

Q3. Is Rage Against the Machine anti-capitalist?

Ans. Yes, that can be said for Rage Against the Machine because they have voiced their disagreement on various political, domestic and foreign policies that were introduced by the US government.

Q4. What is the heaviest Rage Against the Machine song?

Ans. Bullet in the Head is the heaviest song from Rage Against the Machine according to their fans. The song is a reference to how the government is trying to use the media to influence their control over the population.

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

Smooth

by Mike Walker

Introduction:

Smooth By Santana is a mix of rock, blues, and it combines some melodies of Latin rhythms as well. So if you are someone who is interested in learning the ways of Santana this should be a great starting point for your musical journey.

Fun Fact: In the beginning the song was called Room 17 and the idea of the song came to the mind of Itaal Shur, but then lyrics were all take out from the song and it was given to Rob Thomas, who completely re-wrote the song and changed its original melody, that’s how Smooth came into existence by Santana.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The arpeggios for this song are as follows:

e|------1-------------|

B|----3---3----------|

G|--2-------2--------|

D|--------------------|

A|--------------------|

E|--------------------|

Strumming Pattern

There are two strumming patterns for this song, the first one is pretty basic and you can play it like this: DD UU DU.

D = Down Strum
U = Up Strum

Or you can play this version which adds more groove to the song: DD X UDU.

D = Down Strum
U = Up Strum
X = Muted Strum

Song Structure

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike is going to show you how to tune up your guitar for this song.

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn about the different guitar rhythms that you will be following as you play the song. Mike starts explaining every rhythm starting with the intro section.

Song Demo: Over here, Mike is going to show you how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track.

Solo 1: From this part, you will start learning how to play different solos which come in the song. This is the first solo performed by Santana in the first part of the song.

Overdub Licks: This particular section shows how to play a particular lick which is being played at the 32 second of the track.

Solo 2: This is the second solo from the song.

Solo 3: Solo which comes after the verses.

Outro Solo: This one is the last solo which Santana played and it was used as an outro for the song.

Why Learn Smooth By Santana?

Carlos Santana is known throughout the world for his amazing phrasing and his ability to sustain heavy tones on the guitar. As you learn this song, you will get to know about techniques like Vibrato, sustain, melodic soloing and smooth transition between the lead and the rhythm of the song.

FAQs-This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who originally sang “Smooth?”

Ans. Smooth was performed by Santana & Rob Thomas who were part of a band called Matchbox Twenty. This song was released as a lead single from the 1999s studio album, Supernatural.

Q2. What made Santana so famous in the music industry?

Ans. Santana became much more popular after their incredible set which they performed live at Woodstock in 1969. In that same year, the band also released their self-entitled LP as well.

Q3. Is Santana considered to be a good guitarist of his time?

Ans. Santana is known to be the man who invented the Latin rock guitar genre, making it stand as one of the best of his generation.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Wake Me Up When September Ends

by J.J. Pattishall

Introduction

Wake Me Up When September Ends is one of the most iconic songs from the American punk rock band Green Day. It is the fourth single from their seventh studio album, American Idiot, which was released in 2004. The lead vocalist Armstrong, wrote the lyrics of this song after his father's death in September 1982.

Chords Used in Wake Me Up When September Ends

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Open chords. The song is played in the key of G, and there is no need for a capo.

Chorus Variation: The chorus of the song is pretty short, and the guitar chords used in it are similar to those of the verse.

Strumming Pattern

The entirety of the song follows the same strumming pattern: Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up. (DUDUDU)

Song Structure

Introduction: In this section, J.J. Pattishall will explain the key you need to play the song in.

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn how and why the guitar instructor has broken down this song into several different parts. This particular section will show you how to play the guitar parts of the intro, verse, chorus, and bridge.

Rhythm: Here, you will learn the open chords used to provide backing rhythm to the verse and chorus of the song.

Song Demo: Right here, after showing you how to play all the different chords for this song, J.J. Pattishall will show you how to play the guitar alongside the song.

Solo Lesson: This is the last part, where you learn how to play the epic solo from the song.

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Gangnam Style as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Acoustic Version, Funk Version and Metal Version. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Pop

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Gangnam Style

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Margaritaville as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Margaritaville (Chords, Rhythm, and Singing). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Pop

Taught by

Mike Walker

Margaritaville

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Highway to Hell as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Song Demo and Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Highway to Hell

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Sitting On The Dock of the Bay as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

Sitting On The Dock of the Bay

by Steve Luciano

Blues

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Similar Rock Songs

Smells Like Teen Spirit

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Heaven

by Mike Walker

Heaven By Bryan Adams

In this guitar lesson, instructed by Mike Walker, you will learn the clean electric guitar progression that comes in at the beginning of the song. The structure you have to follow is quite straightforward; it uses verse, bridges, chorus, and then again a bridge.

But what sets this song and its lesson apart is the use of gravel-toned vocals, which carry a hint of vulnerability that was pretty rare back in the '80s rock anthems. On the other hand, if we look at the lyrics, they were quite earnest and at the same time universal.

Why Learn Heaven Song On Guitar?

Heaven is a dream song to learn, especially if you are a beginner. Let us show you how it can be part of your musical journey and help you learn new techniques:

Use of Basic Chords: It is the song that uses simple open chords such as C, G, Am, F and Dm. In addition to this, there’s also a capo version which allows you to use simpler fingerpicking.

Slow Tempo: Heaven is played with a tempo of 65-70 BPM. This slow pace makes it a perfect song for learning clean transitions and rhythms.

Emotional Expressions: It’s a great song for people who are trying to play songs that are heavy on feels. Besides this, it also teaches you how to move beyond mechanical strumming.

Follows Familiar Structure: You have to follow a verse-chorus structure, which is beginner-friendly and, at the same time, makes you understand how popular songs are composed.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Bohemian Rhapsody

by Mike Walker

Bohemian Rhapsody – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on what is referred to as the greatest rock song of all time, Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. It is a 6-minute ‘suite’ –a musical performance that typically includes four or five dances, according to Western classical music. But Bohemian Rhapsody is nothing like a classical piece. It is, in fact, the opposite of a classical piece. It is an alternative rock song parodying orchestral music.

Freddie Mercury was born to Parsi-Indian parents in Zanzibar, which is an island town on the east coast of Africa. After the Zanzibar revolution began, they had to flee to Middlesex, England, to save their lives. Since that is the environment Freddie grew up around, it makes sense for him to choose alt-rock and prog-rock as his genres.

Bohemian Rhapsody Guitar Lesson

The lesson on this song is taught by our beloved expert, Mike Walker, who explains all the different sections of the song –and there are many –in the simplest of ways. The lesson is divided into multiple sections, explaining all the parts of the song section by section –from the intro that talks about the chords and different voicings of those chords, to the rhythms and solos of the song.

The song contains an iconic intro, a ballad segment, an orchestral passage, a rock progression, an iconic solo, and an outro. It is almost as if the song is a contraption of multiple songs. Consequently, it has a number of chords and key changes. The instructor, though, gives time to explain all the changes meticulously.

The song follows the following keys: B♭ Major, E♭ Major, A Major and F Major. With most of the chords being non-standard shapes, for instance, the intro features flat-6 and 7th chords, and minor 7th chords. There is a motif in the verse that makes the section iconic –a set of repeating two notes –G to F while on a Bb chord, A to G on the Gmin, and D to C on the Cmin. The instructor shows how to play it in great detail and along with the original track.

Another iconic part of the song is Brian May’s guitar solo, which has been deemed one of the greatest solos of all time. Featuring a guitar that Brian built in his garage, sloppy vibratos, dynamics, and pure emotional playing make it one of the greatest.

The lesson also has a breakdown of the main solo and the outro solo, including the rhythm distortion guitar parts as well, shown in full by the tutor.

Q. Is Bohemian Rhapsody playable on an acoustic guitar?

Yes, once you master the chord shapes, you can easily play the fingerstyle version of the song and sing along.

Q. What effects does Brian May use?

Brian used a Phaser pedal into a treble booster that then went into a Vox AC30.

Q. How do I sing and play this at the same time?

Practice playing the chords first. The ballad actually follows the vocal melody and so mastering the chords can easily get you there.

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Peaceful Easy Feeling as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

Peaceful Easy Feeling

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

I will wait

by J.J. Pattishall

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.

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Maggie May

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Norwegian Wood as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction and Background, Chords and Rhythm, Main Riff, Sing and Play and Sing and Play (Advanced Version). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Norwegian Wood

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Beat It

by Bill Peck

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Use Somebody as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Bill Peck

Use Somebody

by Steve Luciano

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Wish You Were Here

by Mike Dugan

Introduction

Tune into a classic Pink Floyd guitar lesson on Wish You Were Here at Torrins.com, led by our experienced tutor, Mike Dugan. He breaks down the lesson into various sections: Introduction, Intro Chords & Rhythm, Intro Lead, Verse & Chorus Lesson, Solo Improvisation, Arrangement & Playing with Backing Track.

Interesting Fact: In the song's intro, you can hear David Gilmour coughing and breathing heavily before the guitar kicks in. Rumour had it that Gilmour’s smoking habit caused the cough, and that he quit smoking afterwards out of frustration with the recording. But Gilmour later clarified he never smoked!

Mike plays the song using various open chords, including Em, Em7, G, A, and Am. Tune into the complete lesson to learn the rest of the chords that make up this song. This song is a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players.

Chords Used in "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson

This song is played using simple open chords, making it accessible for both beginners and intermediate players. For intermediate players, Mike introduces some alternate chord voicings to stay true to the song’s original sound while adding a unique touch.

Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern is beginner-friendly with consistent downstrums. For those wanting to level up, Mike shares an advanced rhythm that incorporates upstrums for a more dynamic feel.

Song Structure

"Wish You Were Here" follows a clear and structured arrangement:

Intro: Lead + rhythm section (Mike provides a simpler alternative for beginners)
Lead Riffs: Based on the E minor pentatonic scale and its extensions, featuring double stops and hammer-ons.
Verse 1: Smooth chord transitions; beginners can use downstrums, while advanced players can follow the more complex rhythm.
Solo: You can either repeat the intro solo or follow Mike’s improvisation using the E minor pentatonic scale.
Verse 2: Similar to Verse 1, with consistent strumming and clean transitions.
Final Solo: A concluding solo based on the intro lead and E minor pentatonic improvisation.

Improvisation Techniques

Mike teaches how to improvise using the E minor pentatonic scale. He also adds his own flair by playing it on the 12th fret in true David Gilmour style.

Singing Along

Mike also walks you through the singing component, helping you match the chord changes with the lyrics.

Pro Tip: Make use of tabs and lyrics for smoother learning.

Why Learn "Wish You Were Here"?

This lesson helps you improve your chord transitions and develop a smooth, expressive playing style. It's a great piece to master for solo and sing-along sessions. Plus, learning David Gilmour’s style will sharpen your improvisation skills.

Tips to Improve:

Focus on clean chord transitions.
Keep your strumming hand relaxed to maintain a steady rhythm.

FAQs – "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Yes! The chords are straightforward, and Mike provides a simplified version of the intro for beginners.

Q2. Can I just strum the song instead of fingerpicking?

Yes! You can simplify the song with consistent downstrums or follow the more advanced strumming pattern Mike shares.

moderate

Rock

Taught by

Mike Dugan

If You Like Eric Clapton, You'll Love These

Wonderful Tonight (Sing and Play)

by Mike Dugan

Introduction:

Wonderful Tonight is one of the most iconic rock ballads by Eric Clapton, if you are someone who wants to play and sing side-by-side then this is the best semi-rock song to begin with.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Instead of strumming different chords, you can use a soft arpeggio pattern, which is as follows:

e|-----------3------------|

B|------3------3---------|

G|----0---0------0------|

D|----------------------|

A|----------------------|

E|--3------------------|

Strumming Pattern

"Wonderful Tonight" is a slow and relaxed-feel song, which makes it great for beginners. Even the strumming pattern that you have to follow for this song is pretty gentle and amazing for singing. The song is played 4/4 time, and its strumming pattern is: D D U U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum

Song Structure

Wonderful Tonight (Sing and Play): This guitar lesson consists of one complete video in which you will learn the entire song, starting from the intro. Your guitar instructor for this lesson is Mike Dugan, who is a fan of Eric Clapton himself. He will take things slowly and teach you every single chord necessary to play this song on your guitar.

Why Learn Wonderful Tonight Eric Clapton Song?

This is one of the big hits of Eric Clapton, and it does have some simple yet emotional chords present in it. It takes the full advantage of open chords which is great for beginners, and the slow tempo of the song makes it easier for beginners to transition between the various chords that are part of the song.

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is Wonderful Tonight a wedding song?

Ans. This song can be termed as a wedding song and lots of couples have used it previously for their first dance, it is the song which keeps on showing in the bill year after year.

Q2. Why do people love Eric Clapton?

Ans. Eric is known all over the world for his highly influential phrasing, rapid runs and plaintive vibrato, which lots of other guitarists tried but failed to replicate miserably.

Q3. Which one is Cream’s biggest hit of all time?

Ans. Wrapping Paper, I Feel Free, Sweet Wine and some of the most famous songs by the band in which Eric used to play electric guitar and gave his voice to some of the songs as well.

Fun Fact: There is a book titled Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, written by Pattie Boyd in collaboration with Penny Junor.

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Layla as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm and Verse and Singing. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

I Shot the Sheriff

by Steve Luciano

Introduction

Learn the famous “I Shot the Sheriff” on Torrins, led by our expert instructor Steve Luciano, who has decades of experience playing and teaching guitar. “I Shot the Sheriff” is originally a reggae song written by Bob Marley and released in 1973 with his band, The Wailers. However, you'll be playing Eric Clapton’s version of this song with Steve on Torrins.com. Eric recorded his cover in 1974 for his album 461 Ocean Boulevard. His performance of the song adds soft rock to the reggae sound, giving it a unique feel.

The difficulty level of this guitar lesson ranges from beginner to intermediate and breaks down the chords, rhythm, structure, and strumming pattern in a simple yet engaging way! So, tune in and unfold the magic of this hit cover!

Steve Luciano teaches the I Shot The Sheriff Song guitar lesson using 4 movable chords: Gm, Cm, Eb, and Dm. No capo is needed!

**Chords Used in I Shot the Sheriff Guitar Lesson**

This song is played using movable chords, which are common in reggae music.

Chords used: Gm, Cm, Eb, Dm

Steve teaches essential finger positioning and movement techniques to help make chord transitions smoother. He also demonstrates how to lighten finger pressure to achieve the signature reggae "deadening" effect on the strings.

Strumming Pattern

Pattern: D-U-D-U

Like other reggae songs, this one emphasizes playing on the downbeat but feeling the upbeat to capture its groove.
It’s good if you practice the chords first before adding rhythm, as some transitions can be tricky.

Song Structure

This song follows a verse-chorus format:

Verse: The beginning of the song primarily uses Gm and Cm chords.
Chorus: Introduces the Eb chord, which can be challenging for some players. Steve demonstrates easier ways to play Eb, particularly for those with larger fingers.
- The chorus chord progression repeats five times.
- At the end of the chorus, there's a signature single-note tag based on the Gm pentatonic scale. This lick is played each time the chorus ends.

Improvisation Techniques

The song features a signature lick at the end of the chorus, based on the Gm pentatonic scale. Steve breaks down how to play the notes smoothly to maintain the song’s groove.

**Why Learn I Shot the Sheriff on Guitar?**

Learning this song can help you master movable chord shapes commonly used in reggae.
It will also help you improve reggae-style strumming and chord muting techniques.
Additionally, it provides insight into lead guitar phrasing with the signature pentatonic lick.

Tips for Playing the Song Smoothly

Practice chord transitions first before adding strumming.
Loosen your grip to achieve the proper reggae deadening effect.
Feel the upbeat while strumming for an authentic reggae sound.

**FAQs – I Shot the Sheriff Guitar Lesson**

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

A: It’s suitable for intermediate players, as it uses movable chords, which may be challenging for beginners.

Q2. What if I struggle with the Eb chord?

A: Steve demonstrates easier alternatives for players who find it difficult, especially those with larger fingers.

Fun Fact: “I Shot the Sheriff” was originally a spiritual metaphor for birth control, though Bob Marley never revealed which lyrics were true. Eric Clapton’s 1974 cover became a massive hit, introducing Marley’s music to rock audiences worldwide. While Marley was happy with the cover, he was frustrated that the song was widely misinterpreted as an anthem against injustice and corruption rather than its original meaning.

easy

Rock

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Layla

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Tears in Heaven as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Piece and Chord Arrangement, Chords, Solo Lesson, Easy Version - Sing and Play, Sing and Play, Bridge Arrangement, Playing over Backing Track, Improvisation and Wonderful Tonight (Sing and Play). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Tears in Heaven

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Cocaine as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro Riff, Chords, and Rhythm, Sing and Play, Solo Improvisation and Arrangement and Backing Track. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Cocaine

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Tore Down

by Mike Dugan

Tore Down - Introduction

Tore Down is a blues classic originally recorded by Freddie King in 1961 under the title "I'm Tore Down." Written by pianist Sonny Thompson, the song became one of King's biggest hits, reaching #5 on Billboard's R&B chart. The track showcases King's powerful voice and sharp guitar work, blending Texas blues with a raw, energetic delivery. Decades later, Eric Clapton covered the song for his 1994 blues album From the Cradle, staying true to King's original arrangement while adding his signature touch.

Clapton's version keeps the song's essential elements—the falsetto vocal phrases, punchy guitar fills, and that unmistakable blues shuffle. His recording was so well-received that it also reached #5, this time on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. Over the years, Clapton has performed "Tore Down" live many times, including at his Live in Hyde Park concert and John Mayall’s 70th Birthday show. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its raw emotion and tight groove, making it a favourite among blues guitarists.

Tore Down Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson breaks down Eric Clapton’s version of ‘Tore Down’, focusing on the blues shuffle rhythm, stop-time sections, and lead fills. The song is in the key of A major and follows a classic 12-bar blues structure, but with some clever variations. The most distinctive feature is the stop-time verses, where the band cuts out on the 1st beat, leaving space for Clapton’s vocals to drive the song forward. There are two types of stops—short stops (just a quick pause) and long stops (a full beat of silence).

The rhythm guitar part uses a Texas blues shuffle, played with a light swing feel. The basic pattern is A5-D5-A5-E5-D5-A5, but the magic is in the muting and dynamics. Use palm muting on the lower strings to keep it tight, and let the chords ring out slightly on the turnaround. Clapton’s version has a crisp, clean tone, so roll back your guitar’s tone knob a bit and use a tube amp with mild breakup.

For the lead fills, Clapton sticks mostly to the A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G) but adds bluesy bends and quick hammer-ons for extra flavour. The opening riff is simple but effective—just a few well-placed notes with vibrato. The solo builds on Freddie King’s original licks but with Clapton’s smoother phrasing. Pay attention to his bending accuracy—he often bends up a whole step (from C to D) with perfect pitch control.

The stop-time sections require tight coordination with the band. When the band stops on the 1st beat, keep your strumming hand moving in time so you can jump back in smoothly. Beginners should practice the stops slowly, counting out loud (1-2-3-4-STOP) to internalise the rhythm. Advanced players can work on Clapton’s subtle variations, like adding a quick chromatic slide into a chord or throwing in a double-stop lick before a stop.

FAQs

Q. How do I play the Texas shuffle rhythm?

Use a down-up strum pattern with swing feel, muting the strings lightly between chords.

Q. What scale does Clapton use for solos?

Mostly A minor pentatonic, with some blues scale (added flat 5th) notes for extra grit.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Wonderful Tonight as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Chords and Progression, Rhythm and Backing Track and Intro Lick. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Wonderful Tonight

by Steve Luciano