Chords, Rhythm, &amp; Backing Track

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

Congratulations and Celebrations

by Steve Luciano

Taught by

Steve Luciano

The Philosopher

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction:

The Philosopher song was originally written by Monty Python and composed by Eric Idle. The Florida-based death metal band Death covered the song in their fifth studio album, Individual Thought Patterns, which was released in 1993.

The Philosopher has been described as one of the more accessible cuts from Death’s later music catalog, and for some fans, it is their biggest hit to this day.

In this video lesson Bobby Koelble teaches how to play the song The Philosopher as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Tapping Piece, Verse, Prechorus, and Chorus, Solo Rhythm and Post Solo Rhythm Sections, Main Solo, Ending Solo Improv and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Song Structure:

Introduction: This is going to be the introduction to the song, the band, and the tune that you will be learning in this guitar lesson. Bobby describes this guitar song as pretty straightforward and not that technical to begin with.

Intro Tapping Piece: The intro of the song starts with a two-hand tapping part, along with other undertone notes, all of which you will learn in this part.

Verse, Pre-chorus, and Chorus: Here, you will learn how to play the famous guitar riff that makes the song memorable.

Solo Rhythm and Post Solo Rhythm Sections: This section explains how to play the riffs below Chuck’s solo.

Main Solo: Here is the main solo of the song, which is in the key of A minor. Bobby will also help you get accustomed to that one lick, which moves pretty fast.

Ending Solo Improv: This part of the guitar lesson builds your confidence in how you should improvise at the end of Chuck's solo and adds bits of your tunes as well.

Song Demo: This is the final part. Here, your guitar instructor will play the entire guitar section of the song alongside the backing track.

Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

I See Fire

by Steve Luciano

Introduction:

I See Fire is a song written and composed for the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The song is played over the closing credits of the movie. After its release, the song was able to climb to the 13th spot in the UK Singles Chart and in New Zealand it was able to reach number 1 in just six weeks of time.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: You will be following basic arpeggios picking for this song, and this is what you need to follow in order to create a simple yet attractive progression:

e|------0---------0------|

B|------0---------0------|

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

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

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

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

Strumming Pattern:

This one is primarily a fingerpicking song, but in case you wish to play the strumming pattern you can follow this: D D U U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum

Song Structure:

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Luciano, your guitar instructor is going to share why everyone needs to learn this song, and where, and why you should be putting the capo on

guitar like Ed does.

Intro Lick and Song Arrangement: In this section, Mike shows you how to play the intro licks for the song and how to use hammer-on and pull-off techniques with your first and third fingers. Along with this, you will learn the entire song arrangement as well.

Song Demo: This section shows you how to play the song with the backing track played alongside.

Beginners Version: If you are not able to play with new techniques which you have learned in this guitar lesson you can also try the beginner friendly version of I See Fire by Ed Sheeran which is mentioned in this part.

Why Learn I See Fire By Ed Sheeran?

I See Fire take the full advantage of acoustic fingerpicking which is something perfect for beginner guitar players to start with. This song will also help you in building dexterity, accuracy, and finger independence as you play. Furthermore, it’s a great introduction to the thumb-bass technique, along with melodic picking.

FAQs I see fire Guitar Lesson

Q1. What was the reason behind Ed Sheeran's writing I See Fire?

Ans. It was Peter Jackon, the director of The Hobbit, who asked Ed Sheeran to come up with a song for a kid’s movie. Sheeran saw the movie and started working on the song.

Q2. What other songs are out there which sound similar to I See Fire?

Ans. There is a huge library of Ed’s songs, which sounds pretty familiar, starting with Eyes Closed, Give Me Love, Happier, Shivers, and Beautiful People.

Q3. Which song is Ed Sheeran’s biggest hit?

Ans. Without a doubt it has to be “Perfect,” this particular song topped charts in more than 18 different countries, making him one of the most loved artist all around the globe.

Fun Fact: The song I See Fire was written, composed, and recorded on the same day. After Ed Sheeran watched the entire film The Hobbit for which the song was officially released on 5th November 2013. He sat down to write the lyrics and his flow made him finish composition and recording of the song in just 24 hours.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Love Story

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Arms Wide Open Acoustic Version

by Steve Luciano

Arms Wide Open - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that has the best rock song Grammy to its name –With Arms Wide Open by Creed. Scott Stapp’s wife was pregnant with his first child, he wrote the lyrics when he found out, with great surprise, that he was going to be a father. According to Stapp, the song was written in just fifteen minutes during a soundcheck. The song has received almost 200 million views on YouTube.

Stapp says, “It continues to have relevant meaning in my life because as I sing it now, I think of my daughter who's now on this planet and alive. And then I think of my newest son, my three-year-old, Daniel”. The song is about a man expressing his feelings about thinking about becoming a father.

Arms Wide Open Guitar Lesson

This is a guitar lesson that is an acoustic cover version of the song performed by James Boyce, taught by our expert Steve Luciano, in a section-by-section manner. They start with the introduction

The song is in the key of C major and features a number of suspended chords. There is a C major 9 chord with a B note in the bass, which sounds like a suspended chord because of the 9th scale degree. There is also a very unique A minor 11th chord, which also sounds like a suspended chord because of the 11th scale degree, which is actually the 4th scale degree on the octave higher. The instructor explains all the chord shapes in great detail. You can also refer to the Arms Wide Open tabs along with the lesson on the sidebar.

The strumming of the chords is very simple, compared to the chord voicings, that is – D - U U D - U U D - D U for the most part (D is a downward strum and U is an upward strum).

There is also an easy verison of the song that the instructor demonstrates, which is a beginner-friendly version of the song focused more on the singing part of the track.

FAQs

Q. What skill level is Arms Wide Open for?

This lesson is ideal for beginner to intermediate players. If you know basic open chords, you can easily learn the song.

Q. Is this version different from the original Creed version?

Yes. This is a soft acoustic cover by James Boyce. It keeps the emotional depth of the original but focuses more on the singing part.

Q. What is the tuning of Arms Wide Open by Creed?

Nope! This version is played in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), making it very accessible. Drop D is not required here.

Q. What chords are used in this version?

The song uses common suspended and power chords, with some being 9 and 11th chords. The tutor goes over each one slowly and clearly.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Three Little Birds

by J.J. Pattishall

Reggae

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Guarded

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Disturbed is known as a heavy metal band. When the band was starting out, the sound they followed was more of “nu metal”. Guarded was a promotional single from the band’s third album, Ten Thousand Fists. The lyrics show how the lifestyle forces David Draiman to guard himself on a certain level.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song does not use traditional arpeggios. It is primarily a riff-driven song that includes heavy power chords in addition to the chugging rhythms.

Strumming Pattern

If you notice, the song's main riff has a more galloping tone. As a result, the strumming pattern that you need to follow for this song is: D - DUD - D - DUD

D = Down strum
U = Up strum
- = Brief pause (muted)

Song Structure

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Walker, who will be your guitar instructor for this song lesson, explains how to tune your electric guitar.

Song Arrangement: This is the part where you will learn all the chord progressions you will use in this song.

Song Demo: This is the last part of the guitar lesson. Mike will play the entire guitar section of the song alongside the backing track.

If needed add some text content with lesson to show on viewer's screen.

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

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

Always on my Mind

by Mike Dugan

Introduction

Torrins brings you another heartfelt country classic-Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson, taught by Mike Dugan. This in-depth lesson covers everything from basic chords to advanced rhythm techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced players.

Fun Fact: Always on My Mind was the Billboard number one country album of the year in 1982. It remained on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for an astonishing 253 weeks, holding the number one spot for 22 weeks. It even spent 99 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number two for three weeks!

Chords Used in Always on My Mind

Beginner Chords:

D, A, Bm, etc (alternative chords provided for those struggling with barre chords)
Bm/G# and other slash chords (simplified option available)
Basic downstrumming technique

Advanced Chords:

Walk-down from Bm barre chord to G, creating a smooth transition
Em, A, D, and motion chord movement from Em to F#, along with other chord voicings
Includes A/C# to add depth to the song

Rhythm & Strumming Pattern

Beginner Rhythm:

Simple downstrumming throughout the song for easy playability

Advanced Rhythm:

More dynamic strumming pattern: DUDDUD with variations in the upstrokes
Incorporates subdivisions and expressive chord transitions to match the song’s emotional tone

Song Structure

This song follows a classic country ballad structure:

Intro
Verse 1 & 2
Bridge – Separate versions for beginners and advanced players
Solo Verse – Melody-driven section
Bridge Repeat

Solo Section

Uses the D major scale for advanced players
Simple yet effective solo incorporating D and Bm/A chords, to name a few
Captures the melody of the song to create an emotional instrumental moment

Improvisation Techniques

For those wanting to add their own flavour, Mike shares techniques to elevate their playing:

Walk-down motions to create smoother transitions
Letting open strings ring for a fuller sound
Subtle rhythmic variations to match Willie Nelson’s expressive phrasing

**Why Learn Always on My Mind?**

This lesson is a great way to enhance your expressiveness as a guitarist. Whether you’re learning the basic chords or mastering the advanced transitions, Mike ensures that every player walks away with valuable skills.

**FAQs – Always on My Mind Guitar Lesson**

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Ans: It’s better suited for intermediate and advanced players, but Mike breaks it down for beginners as well.

Q2. What if I struggle with barre chords?

Ans: Alternative chord shapes are provided for Bm and Bm/G# to make it easier.

Q3. How can I improve my strumming on this song?

Ans: Beginners should start with downstrumming, while advanced players can incorporate upstroke variations and subdivisions for a more dynamic feel.

Q4. Does this lesson include a solo?

Ans: Yes! The solo is based on the D major scale and includes a simple yet effective melody.

easy

Country

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Similar Rock Songs

All Apologies

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Another Brick in the Wall

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Under the Bridge

by Mike Walker

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

Taught by

Mike Walker

For What Its Worth

by Steve Luciano

If needed add some text content with lesson to show on viewer's screen.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Rock You Like a Hurricane

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Handy Man (Easy Version)

by Steve Luciano

Introduction:

Handy Man is a classic song written by Otis Blackwell in collaboration with Jimmy Jones. But the song became much more popular after James Taylor covered it in his own style of soft rock.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song requires you to use soft fingerpicking along with smooth chord transitions. The instructions below show how you can play the arpeggios for this song. Don’t forget to use the thumb-heavy fingerpicking technique.

e|-----------0------------|

B|------1------1---------|

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

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

A|--3------------------|

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

Strumming Pattern

You can use a simple flowing rhythm with a 4/4 time signature: D D U U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum

The strumming pattern for the softer version should be played like this: D x D U x U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum
X = Muted strum; here, you have to lightly touch the string as you strum.

Song Structure

Song Arrangement And Demo: For this song, your guitar instructor is going to be Steve Luciano; he shares the difference between this easy version of the song and how it can be played even by beginners. In addition to this, you will be using capo and simple strumming for this guitar lesson. The capo is going to be on the 2nd fret.

Why Learn Handy Man Song?

This song uses easy to understand chords, thus, making it a great song to learn for beginners and for other guitarists no matter what their level is. In addition to this, it is a perfect song to play on acoustic guitar as well because it has that laid back feel to it.

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who sang the original version of the song Handyman?

Ans. James Jones, the American singer, was the singer and songwriter of the song.

Q2. What is the meaning of the Handyman?

Ans. A handyman is someone who is skilled at repairing and making things inside or outside the house.

Q3. Is there a hidden meaning to the song Handyman?

Ans. There is no such hidden meaning attached to the song, in this song a man is offering his services as someone who is able to fix broken hearts and make people happy again.

Fun Fact: The Taylor version of this song made him win his second Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

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

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Walk

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction:

Learn the groove metal song, Walk, by American heavy metal band Pantera from their sixth album, Vulgar Display of Power, on Torrins. Our expert instructor, Bobby Koeble, known for his metal guitar skills, will walk you through this detailed lesson. This lesson caters to both beginner and intermediate guitarists, with clear instructions and helpful tips.

Fun Fact: "Walk" by Pantera was inspired by the band's experience with changing relationships after they became famous. Guitarist Dimebag Darrell said the main riff was influenced by a simple rhythm they would play during soundchecks, which eventually turned into the song's iconic groove. The song's aggressive "walk on home, boy" line reflects the band's frustration with people who treated them differently after their success.

Bobby breaks this song lesson into various segments for detailed understanding and a smooth learning curve-

Introduction & Tuning
Intro Riff
Intro Power Chords
Verse
Prechorus
Chorus, Arrangement, & Outro
Solo parts 1, 2, and 3
Song with Backing Track

Each part is taught step by step, making it easier to follow along and learn the whole song at your own pace.

Chords Used in the Walk Guitar Lesson

The song is played in standard tuning down a whole step and a quarter lower.

Some of the key chords featured throughout include the Eb/Bb power chord, the D over A chord, the Db power chord, and the G chord.

Strumming Pattern

The rhythm follows a triplet-based feel, creating a steady groove. Downstroke picking is essential for maintaining the song's aggressive tone, especially during the pre-chorus and chorus. Fast-paced song with power chords making up most of the rhythm section.

Song Structure

Intro: The intro riff is simple yet powerful, all played on the 6th string. Bobby breaks down the intro by slowing it down and providing alternatives for ease of playing. The intro involves bending, slides, and a 3-note figure.

Verse: Verse follows the same 3-note figure from the intro, creating a repetitive yet driving rhythm.

Pre-Chorus: Involves power chords, including D over A, Db, and G, along with others. This section combines whole note values and half note values for a dynamic feel.

Chorus: Same as the power chord-heavy part from the intro. Note that the second chorus is played twice as long for added intensity.

Solo: The solo is divided into three distinct parts. There’s a dedicated video lesson for each part.

Outro: The song features a fading riff based on the intro section. Bobby shares a special technique for nailing this section—don't miss it!

Why Learn the Song Walk?

This lesson teaches key metal techniques like downstrokes, bending, sliding, and vibrato.
The song's triplet rhythm and fast pace will challenge and strengthen your playing skills.
Learning this iconic song will add power and groove to your playing style.

Tips for Smooth Playing:

Focus on clean transitions between chords.
Pay attention to silencing other strings during the intro.
Take your time with the bending and vibrato, t’s all about control!

FAQs – Walk Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Yes! The rhythm is easy to follow, the chords and solos might be trickier though.

Q2. How can I improve my triplet rhythm?

Practice slow and steady while focusing on even timing and downstrokes.

Q3. How do I maintain a clean tone while playing power chords?

Make sure to mute any unwanted strings and use proper finger positioning.

moderate

Rock

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Redemption Song

by Mike McQuinn

Taught by

Mike McQuinn

Lay Down Sally

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Wonderwall

by Mike McQuinn

Introduction:

Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson "Wonderwall" by Oasis, taught by Mike McQuinn. This timeless classic is a must-learn for any guitarist, helping you master chord variations, strumming patterns, and how to play and sing simultaneously. Mike breaks down this song lesson into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Strumming, Sing and Play and Song Demo.

Fun Fact: In October 2020, "Wonderwall" became the first song from the 1990s to surpass one billion streams on Spotify. Today, it ranks as the second most-streamed song from that decade, following Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit”.

Chords Used in Wonderwall Guitar Lesson: The song is built around five essential chord patterns, which you’ll learn in detail in the song lesson. Some of the chords that make up this song are: G, Em7, Dsus4, A7Sus4, Cadd9. Tune in to the lesson to learn the rest.

One chord pattern includes a walk-down pattern for smooth transitions.

All chords are played with a capo on the 2nd fret

Strumming Pattern The primary strumming pattern is:

DDUDUDDUDUDD (Repeats UDUDD three times and ends with UD)
An alternate strumming pattern is used in the walk-down chord section—learn the difference in the lesson!

Song Structure & Breakdown This lesson is divided into multiple sections for easy learning:

Introduction: This section has an overview of the lesson structure and key techniques.
Chords & Strumming: This section includes all the chords used in this song, and Mike shares the five essential chord patterns that make up this song. He demonstrates how to transition smoothly. The song finishes with a repetitive lead part—Mike explains how to master it effortlessly. He shares tips to master the rhythm of the song.
Sing & Play: Mike teaches how to coordinate vocals with guitar playing, gearing you up for jamming sessions!
Song Demo: The song lesson ends with a full demonstration of the song to tie everything together.

Tip: Follow along with the Tabs provided with the song lesson for quick and effective learning.

Why Learn Wonderwall?

Learning this song will help you improve chord transition and variation skills.
It will also help you master rhythm consistency with its distinct strumming pattern.
It will enhance your ability to play and sing simultaneously.

FAQs – Wonderwall Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Ans- Yes! The chords are slight variations to basic chords and are used repetitively, making it a great song for all skill levels.

Q2. Do I need a capo?

Ans- Yes, the song is played with a capo on the 2nd fret to match the original key.

Q3. How do I improve my strumming for this song?

Ans- Focus on maintaining a relaxed wrist and practice the primary strumming pattern slowly before speeding up.

easy

Rock

Taught by

Mike McQuinn

If You Like Green Day, You'll Love These

American Idiot

by Pranay Verma

hard

Punk Rock

Taught by

Pranay Verma

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.