Introduction

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Taught by

Mike Walker

For Whom the Bell Tolls

by Mike Walker

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

Fire and Rain

by Steve Luciano

Soft rock, Folk-pop, Folk

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Run to You

by Mike Walker

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Taught by

Mike Walker

Sultans of Swing

by Mike Walker

Introduction:

Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson on Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits, taught by Mike Dugan. This song blends fingerstyle finesse with classic rock grooves, and Mike breaks it all down into bite-sized lessons so you can follow along at your own pace.

Interesting Fact

Mark Knopfler originally wrote the song on a National Steel guitar in open tuning. He thought it sounded dull—until he tried it on his 1961 Fender Stratocaster. The moment he plugged it in, the song “came alive,” and the now-famous chord changes practically wrote themselves.

Chords & Progression

This song is in the key of D minor and uses both barre and open chords.

Chords include: Dm (barre), Bb, A7, F, and others.

The progression is smartly structured across the different sections, and Mike breaks down which chords go where and how they’re distributed across measures.

Song Structure

Each section is covered in detail, including how the chords and rhythms evolve throughout the song.

Intro Rhythm and Bounce Feel

One of the most iconic parts of Sultans of Swing is its bounce. Mike explains how this bounce is created by returning to the D minor chord in the intro, and how to use finger lifts and muting to shape the rhythm. He simplifies the feel for beginners while encouraging a relaxed hand to avoid letting the guitar ring too much. The subtle muting helps create those signature accents that make this riff so catchy.

Riff Rhythm

The riff acts as the instrumental bridge between verses and chorus, and it’s rhythmically complex. Mike shares a unique method to help you internalize the up and down strumming pattern and nail the timing.

Verse and Chorus – Singing & Playing Together

Mike walks you through how to match your vocals with the guitar parts, offering tips on timing and phrasing. The chorus uses a repetitive chord progression, so once you lock it in, you can focus more on dynamics and vocal delivery.

Intro Lead and Riffs

The lead parts are based around the D minor pentatonic scale, with one note borrowed from F major, and also include arpeggios. Mike breaks this down note by note, making the intro riff approachable even for those who are new to lead playing.

Solo Improvisation

The end solo of the song is a masterclass in feel and phrasing. Mike starts at the 10th fret and teaches the solo string by string. He introduces a cool technique called calming, along with triplet patterns, giving your solo a more expressive touch.

Main Riff Breakdown

To wrap up, Mike teaches the main riff of the song, played using a pick and two fingers for a hybrid picking effect. The riff includes the D minor triad and showcases how intricate fingerpicking can add character to a song.

FAQs – Sultans of Swing Guitar Lesson

Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?

It’s more suited for intermediate players, but Mike breaks it down clearly, and beginners can still follow along section by section.

Q2: Do I need a capo?

No capo is needed for this version.

Q3: How do I get the “Knopfler feel”?

Focus on muting, dynamic accents, and hybrid picking. Let the rhythm breathe, and play with feel over flash.

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Rock

Taught by

Mike Walker

Fade to Black

by Mike Walker

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

Sleepwalk

by Steve Luciano

Rock & Roll/Surf Rock

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Photograph

by Pranay Verma

Taught by

Pranay Verma

Counting Stars

by Pranay Verma

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

Pop/Rock

Taught by

Pranay Verma

Similar Rock Songs

Settle Down

by J.J. Pattishall

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Hey Joe as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Basic Strumming, Advanced Strumming, Intro Riff, Sing and Play, Bass Line during Solo, Solo Lesson and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Hey Joe

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Upside Down as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Arrangement, Intro Lick and Solo and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Upside Down

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Come As You Are (Beginners)

by Steve Luciano

Introduction:

If you know about Nirvana, the band, you know them for this one song Come As You Are. It is their most iconic song of all time, and it’s a must-learn for beginners who want to make it big in the guitar and rock scene.

Strumming Pattern:

This particular song follows a plucking/ riff-based rhythm rather than using traditional strumming. The iconic riff can still be played using this pattern: D D U D D U.

D = Down Strum
U = Up Strum

Song Structure

Introduction: The introduction starts with explaining to you how to tune your guitar and how to turn your guitar down to a whole step to get the exact sound which you hear on record.

Chords and Rhythm: Over here you will be learning how to play the basic power chords that are part of this song along with the rhythm which you will be following. Keep in mind, if you are using standard tuning, you have to use a whole step lower chords.

Song Arrangement: Here you will be given a walkthrough of each section of the tune, most of the tunes for this song are somewhat related to the intro riff. So you have mastered the starting riff and the rest will be much easier.

Intro Riff and Solo: Here again you will be learning how to play the center riff which results in the different tunes that you get in the song.

Song Demo: In this part J.J Pattishall is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track.

Sing and Play: This section is all about J.J giving you tips and tricks on how to play the song as well as sing it. He will show you the coordination tricks you can use to keep up with the song.

Why Learn Come As You Are (Complete) By Nirvana?

The opening riff of the song is simple and easy to learn making it great for impressive others. Also, it takes the benefit of minor scales with the addition of a slight bluesy feel, and in order to play it you will have to learn alternate picking technique and smooth transitions.

FAQs-This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the meaning of the song Come As You Are by Nirvana?

Ans. The song is about how people are expected to act when struggle arrives in their life. Still, the song is filled with contradictory meanings and it is full of confusion, similar to how most people are in their lives.

Q2. What genre does Come As You Are fall in?

Ans. This particular song falls in the category of grunge alternative rock, the song writer is none-other than Kurt Cobain who was the lead singer of the band Nirvana.

Q3. Which one is the saddest song from Curt Cobain?

Ans. The most haunting and saddest song ever written and recorded by Curt Cobain was Something In The Way. The tragic tune of the song is entirely written by the lead singer himself.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Morning Star

by Mike Walker

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

Taught by

Mike Walker

Time

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Goodbye Blue Sky

by Steve Luciano

Introduction

Tune into a simple fingerpicking guitar song lesson on "Goodbye Blue Sky" on Torrins. This lesson is led by our instructor, Steve Luciano, who breaks down the various sections of the song for easy understanding. This Goodbye Blue Sky guitar tutorial covers the strumming pattern, fretting, and rhythm techniques that make this song sound so great.

Interesting Fact: The song’s soft, almost lullaby-like melody is a stark contrast to its dark theme of war and destruction. Roger Waters wrote it as a reflection of his childhood memories of the London Blitz during World War II. The track opens with a child's voice saying, "Look, mummy, there's an aeroplane up in the sky!"—a chilling moment that symbolizes the innocence of youth being shattered by the horrors of war.

Chords & Tuning

"Goodbye Blue Sky" is a simple fingerpicking song. Before getting started, tune your 6th string to Drop D—this gives the song its deep, resonant tone.

Fingerpicking Pattern

The fingerpicking technique adds an intricate and melodic touch to this song while keeping the rhythm steady, making this song perfect for practising control and precision.

Song Structure & Techniques

The song kicks off with a repeating section that features pull-offs, adding a smooth, connected feel to the melody. This section repeats four times and helps build fluidity in your playing. If you’re still getting comfortable with pull-offs, be sure to explore our in-depth lesson on this essential technique.

As the arrangement develops, you’ll come across hammer-ons, which lend a punchier articulation to the notes. Steve also incorporates power chords, specifically B and F#, along with an open G, contributing to a fuller, more dynamic sound. Later in the progression, he introduces barre chords across the 2nd and 3rd strings, creating a seamless, flowing texture. These techniques come together to give the song its distinct blues-rock character while helping you improve precision and control.

Learning Made Easier

The 3-angle camera view makes learning such songs so much easier. With dedicated angles on strumming, fretting, and an overall view, you get a detailed, close-up look at all the intricate finger movements, helping you learn efficiently and effectively.

Pro Tip for Mastering the Song

Steve recommends breaking the song into sections and practising each part individually before putting everything together. This will ensure you develop muscle memory for clean and precise playing.

FAQs – "Goodbye Blue Sky" Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

A: While the song follows a simple fingerpicking style, it requires coordination and control. It's great for beginners looking to build finger independence and practice melodic fingerpicking.

Q2. Do I need to use a pick for this song?

A: No, this song is best played with fingerpicking, which gives it its signature soft and flowing sound.

Q3. What’s the best way to improve my fingerpicking accuracy?

A: Slow down and focus on precision before building up speed. Keep your right hand relaxed, and ensure each note rings out clearly.

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Rock

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Godfather Theme

by Mike Walker

Introduction

This is the most iconic instrumental theme of one of the greatest mafia movies ever produced by Hollywood. The theme was produced by Nino Rota for the film The Godfather in 1972. The lyrics of the song were written by Larry Kuski, and the original song was composed by Nino Rota. The English version of the song was sung by Angela Bacari.

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

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: For the most part, the song is in the key of F.

Song Structure

Introduction and Chords: In this section of the guitar lesson Mike walker your guitar instructor shows you how to tune the guitar for this song. Likewise, Mike also talks about which chord progression you need to follow for this song.

Solo: The melody of Godfather theme is divided in 2 sections and here Mike shows you how to play both of them separately and as one after you master both the parts.

Song Demo: In the song demo, you will learn how to play the entirety of the song with the backing track. Mike also highlights the importance of improvisation, which you should be doing, as the song playing the iconic tune on the guitar is a bit more challenging than playing other rock and metal songs.

Improvisation: Here, you will learn all the improvisation techniques that Mike has used to play this song. Furthermore, you will learn the alternative scales, which come in handy during your initial plays if you are a beginner.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Man in the Box

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Black Bird

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Black Bird is one of the greatest songs by none other than The Beatles. It’s a song where Sir Paul McCartney performed a solo piece. It is a song that many artists from all around the world cover. The song is also used as an introduction to another hit song by The Beatles called “Yesterday.”

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: For this song, you will be using your thumb for bass notes and playing the melody with the first two fingers.

Strumming Pattern

Due to fingerpicking, it does not use the traditional strumming pattern, so you have to learn Travis's picking style, which your guitar instructor is going to teach you in this lesson. Here’s how you will be using it: Thumb (T) → Index (I) → Thumb (T) → Middle (M)

Song Structure

Introduction: In the introduction, you will learn how to tune up your guitar to play this song.

Chords and Rhythm: In this part, Mike Walker, your guitar instructor for this song lesson, will show you the required fingerpicking technique, chords and rhythms that you need to follow.

Song Arrangement: Right in this part, you will learn how to play the different parts of the

song, starting from the intro and then verses, chorus, and outro.

Song Demo: Finally, in this section, Mike will show you how to play the song on guitar with a backing track.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Songs with Similar Difficulty

Saajna (Unplugged)

by Steve Luciano

Saajna’s unplugged version features minimal instrumentation and comes with soulful vocals that touch your heart. It has become a go-to-track for contestants of reality shows, unplugged concerts and for many upcoming musicians who are singing in clubs, cafes and restaurants.

Fun Fact:

The original song for the film was composed by Salim-Sulaiman, and the responsibility of composition was given to none other than Shafqat Amanat Ali, which became so popular that it overshadowed the original recording.

Song Structure

Introduction: In this introduction part of the song lesson, Steve, your guitar instructor, talks about what makes Saajna such a great Hindi song to learn on guitar.

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn how to tune up your guitar and learn how to play

the song in the key of D minor.

Song Demo: In this section, Steve is going to play the guitar part of the song with the backing track to show you how to sync guitar chords with the vocals that are part of the song.

Solo 1: This part of the lesson helps you understand how to play the first solo that comes at the very beginning of the song.

Solo 2: This part of the guitar lesson will provide you with information on the next little piece

of the guitar solo that you hear in the middle of the song.

Solo 3: Here, you will learn the very last solo, which comes as the song is about to end.

Overdub Section: This part of the lesson teaches you how to play a specific section of the second guitar, which only comes when the verse section comes in.

Improvisation: In the last part of this lesson, Steve tells you some of the improvisation techniques that you can use in order to make your guitar chords sound as accurate as possible.

Why is Saajna (Unplugged) from the movie I, Me aur Main Song?

The song Saajna is rich and filled with emotions; the lyrics are heartfelt, making it a perfect

choice for people who are looking for emotive playing and connecting with their audience.

FAQs – Saajna (Unplugged) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Saajna, and who sang it for the movie?

Ans. The unplugged version of the song was composed by Shafqat Amanat Ali, and the vocals for the song were given by Falak Shabir.

Q2. Is this a good song for beginners?

Ans. Yes, the song takes full advantage of basic chords and has a slow tempo as well making it suitable for slow beginners.

Q3. Do I really need to play this song on acoustic guitar only?

Ans. The unplugged versions of the means it is best to play it on an acoustic guitar with the help of fingerstyle playing.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Bandeyaa

by Mike Walker

Bandeyaa is a great track to learn on guitar; with this guitar lesson, you are going to have an understanding of musical structure and chord rhythms. The song has a deep emotional appeal to it, even though the entire composition is a combination of simple yet powerful chords with the addition of expressive vocals.

With this guitar lesson from Mike Walker, you will learn how to play and capture the raw intensity of Bandeyaa with the help of smooth transitions, dynamic strumming, and beginner-friendly chord shapes.

Whether you are learning this song to perform solo, thinking about jamming with friends, or just recording a heartfelt cover, this is the lesson that is going to provide you with a thorough guide on how to use different guitar techniques to make your version of Bandeyaa sound more polished and moving.

Strumming Pattern

When it comes to learning a strumming pattern for a song like Bandeyaa, you need to go with a pattern that compliments the sound of acoustic guitar, and we just got that for you; here’s the pattern that’s surely going to hit your audience in all the right places as you play this song: D – D U – U D U.

D = Down Strum.
U = Up Strum.

An optional strumming variation that you can follow to make the song more expressive: D – D – D U – U D U.

With this strumming, you are going to add a slight pause after the first two strums, giving more space and emotional weight to the song.

Here are a few tips that will help you strum better and more cohesively:

When you are playing this song, make sure you keep the strums gentle and controlled, especially when you reach the verse section of the song; this will help you preserve the emotional feel of the song.
As the chorus of the song begins, if you wish, you can slightly increase the strumming intensity to match the build-up.
In case you want to play a more intimate version of the song, then it would be best to replace the strumming with light fingerpicking or arpeggios during the intro and the verse sections of the song.

FAQs – Bandeyaa Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is it possible to play the Bandeyaa song from the movie Jazbaa entirely with open chords on the guitar?

Ans. Yes, you surely can play the entire song, but you have to place a capo on the 5th fret; with a capo, you avoid bar chords entirely while still maintaining the sound, which is closer to the original recording.

Q2. Is the song Bandeyaa from Jazbaa good for practicing the fingerpicking technique on guitar?

Ans. The song uses a slow tempo, and it does have a melancholic vibe to it, which makes it a perfect guitar lesson to practice basic arpeggios or Travis picking, especially when the verse or intro parts of the song come in.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Tu Na Jaane Aas Paas Hai Khuda

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Aashiyan

by Mike Walker

Aashiyan means home, and this is one of the few songs from modern-day Bollywood that actually conveys the meaning of comfort, joy, and belonging. When you play this song on guitar, it makes it possible for you to express emotions with the help of music.

Fun Fact: The song was inspired by French Cafe music with the special use of Accordion, which plays a swing-style rhythm. Composer Pritam really wanted the song to feel like it is coming straight from a European street performance, which matches up with the silent-film feel of Barfi’s storytelling.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Here is the suggested arpeggio-picking pattern that you can learn if you want to use the fingerpicking technique:

For chords with the root on the 5th string (like C, Am, F):

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

For chords with the root on the 6th string (like G):

6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

(T – 1 – 2 – 3 – 2 – 1)

T = Thumb,
1 = Index,
2 = Middle,
3 = Ring.

Strumming Pattern

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

D = Down Strum.
U = Up Strum.

Song Structure

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker who is going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. Here, he talks about the complexity of the song, how it has a jazz tone to it, and how he’s going to show a copy version of the song, which is a lot easier to play and beginner-friendly at the same time.

Chords, Rhythm, and Song Arrangement: The song is present in the key of B, and the intro section can be played freely, but even for that, you need to learn the chords and rhythms that are present here for you to learn.

Song Demo: In this part of the guitar lesson you will get to know how to play the guitar parts of the song with the backing track.

Easy Version: Right here, Mike shows you how you can place a capo on the 4th fret to play the easier guitar version of the song.

Why Learn Aashiyan Song?

The melody of the song is quite catchy, making it ideal for singing and playing the song on guitar at the same time. It also helps in improving your strumming control, timing, and sensitivity to the music, which allows you to easily shift between verses and chorus.

FAQs – Aashiyan From The Movie Barfi Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is Aashiyan's song beginner-friendly on guitar?

Ans. The chords used in the song are pretty simple, and the strumming pattern, too, is beginner-friendly.

Q2. What is the original key of the song?

Ans. The song is present in the key of B, making it suitable for guitarists who are just starting their musical journey.

Q3. Are there arpeggios used in the song Aashiyan?

Ans. The original recording of the song uses full instrumentation, but if you want, you can add a little arpeggio pattern during the verse section of the song.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Kabhi Na Kabhi

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Wake Me Up When September Ends as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement, Rhythm, Song Demo and Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

You've got a friend

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song All Songs as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Aasai Oru Pulveli, Nenjukkul Peidhidum, New York Nagaram, Elay Keechan, Nenjukulle (Kadal), Mustafa Mustafa, Moongil Thottam , Vaaya Moodi Summa Iru Da, Bhoomi Engum, Crazy Minnal, Yedhi Yedhi, Mogathirai and Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathe. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Pop/Soft Rock

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Ilaya Nila Pozhigirathe

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The

by Steve Luciano

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Rock On

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Rock On as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Verse and Chorus, Solo Rhythm, Bridge, and Overdubs, Song with Backing Track, Solo Lesson and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!