Introduction, Chords, and Picking

Metal

Taught by

Mike Walker

Could You Be Loved

by J.J. Pattishall

Reggae

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Postcards From Paraguay

by Mike Walker

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 Walker

Upside Down

by J.J. Pattishall

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

J.J. Pattishall

Highway to Hell

by Mike Walker

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 Walker

Sweet Child O' Mine

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Tune into Torrins’ guitar song lesson on the iconic single by American rock band Guns N' Roses, Sweet Child O’ Mine. This chart-topping hard rock song is taught by our instructor, Mike Walker. He has broken down the lesson into 10 parts for a detailed understanding of each section and to make learning easier. Find dedicated lessons on the intro, verses, choruses, interlude solos, main solo, and outro.

Fun Fact: "Sweet Child O' Mine" was born out of a playful jam session at the band’s house. Slash was fooling around with a "circus" melody to make drummer Steven Adler laugh when Izzy Stradlin suggested turning it into a song. Within an hour, the band had crafted the core structure, and Axl Rose, inspired by his girlfriend Erin Everly, wrote the heartfelt lyrics by the following afternoon.

Chords Used in Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Lesson

This song is played in half-step down tuning and features a mix of open chords and power chords. Some of the key chords used in the song include:

C, D, Cadd9
A power chord, Dsus4

Tune into the full lesson to learn all the chords and how to transition between them seamlessly.

Strumming Pattern

Intermediate/advanced rhythm: Alternating strumming pattern with pull-off techniques for added depth
A lick is layered over the chorus, and Mike walks you through how to blend it into the song smoothly

Song Structure

This song follows a well-defined verse-chorus format:

Intro Riff – The iconic opening lick is based on a repetitive motion with just the first note changing. It’s repeated twice.
Verse 1 & 2 – Follows an 8-bar phrase played twice using three chords. Incorporates a pull-off pattern. Mike breaks down the intricacies of the verses in great detail.
Chorus – Mix of power chords and open chords like A power chord, C5, and Dsus4. A lick is played over the chorus for added texture.
Solo 1 – The rhythm underneath the solo is half the length of the verse.
Verse 2 – Similar to Verse 1.
Chorus 2 – Same as Chorus 1.
Solo 2 – A longer solo covering an entire verse.
Chorus 3 – Double the length of the previous choruses.
Outro Solo – Includes wah-wah pedal, hammer-ons, pull-offs, sliding, and some resting measures for dynamic effect.

Why Learn Sweet Child O' Mine?

This lesson covers not just the guitar parts but also the feel and dynamics that make the song iconic.

Learn the nuances of Slash’s soloing style
Improve your pull-offs and hammer-ons
Master playing with a wah-wah pedal for expressive control

FAQs – Sweet Child O' Mine Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Ans: This lesson is ideal for intermediate and advanced players.

Q2. What’s the trick to mastering the intro riff?

Ans: Focus on the repetitive pattern and ensure the other strings are muted for a clean sound.

moderate

Rock

Taught by

Mike Walker

Layla

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Clay Foster teaches how to play the song One as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Intro Solo, Pre-Verse and Verse, Chorus, Interlude Solo, Chorus after Interlude, Heavy Riff in 4/4, Solo Lesson, Post Solo Thrash Section and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

One

by Clay Foster

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

Metal

Taught by

Clay Foster

Lack Of Comprehension

by Bobby Koelble

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!

Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Similar Rock Songs

Redemption Song

by Mike McQuinn

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Layla (Original Version) as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Verse and Rhythm, Lead (Duane Allman), Sing and Play, Piano Finale, Slide Lead, Song Demo (Singing with Chords), Song Demo (Eric Clapton Parts) and Song Demo (Duane Allman Parts). Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike McQuinn

Layla (Original Version)

by Mike Dugan

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

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

Use Somebody

by Steve Luciano

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Wonderful Tonight (Sing and Play)

by Mike Dugan

Introduction:

Looking to learn one of the most heartfelt love ballads ever written? Then this song tutorial of Eric Clapton’s hit song is a must-watch for you. This "Wonderful Tonight" guitar lesson, taught by Mike Dugan, breaks down the song into an easy-to-follow tutorial that’s perfect for both beginners and advanced players. Mike teaches you how to sing as well as play the song.

Fun Fact: Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" while waiting for his then-girlfriend, Pattie Boyd, to get ready for an event. Despite its simplicity, the song became his most downloaded track on Spotify, with over 480 million streams!

Chords Used in "Wonderful Tonight"

This lesson is taught in the key of G major, and it primarily uses open chords, making it accessible to beginners. Some of the main chords include:

G
Em
D/F#

The lesson also covers additional chords and variations—tune in to discover them all!

Strumming Pattern & Rhythm Techniques

Beginner-Friendly Strumming: Basic downstrums to ensure smooth transitions between chords.
Advanced Strumming: The tutorial also covers a more complex strumming pattern used in the original recording. This involves subdivisions, where each beat is split into four 16th notes, creating a rhythmic groove with an alternate strumming pattern (DUDUDU) with accents.
Special Techniques: The instructor introduces a unique method for adding accents, perfect for players looking to elevate their rhythm skills. Tune in to the lesson to learn how to do it.

Song Structure Breakdown

This tutorial follows the song’s original structure, making it easier to follow:

Intro (played twice)
Verse 1
Intro section again
Verse 2
Bridge
Intro played twice
Verse 3 with a tag ending
Intro played twice to fade out

Tip: The intro shares a similar progression to the first part of the verse, making it easier to grasp.

Walk-Down Technique & Chord Transitions

One of the standout features of this lesson is the walk-down technique, where the bass notes descend smoothly between chords. Mike provides a step-by-step breakdown of positioning complex chord shapes and making smooth transitions.

Sing & Play Lesson

Want to sing while playing? This lesson dedicates a section to teaching how to play and sing simultaneously, helping learners match their strumming with the song’s vocal phrasing.

Final Play-Along & Bonus Lesson

The lesson ends with a play-along section featuring a backing track, allowing learners to practice the entire song with professional accompaniment.
For a more in-depth approach to playing "Wonderful Tonight" in an authentic style, check out Steve Luciano’s version, which focuses on the intricacies of the guitar work of the song.

FAQs – "Wonderful Tonight" Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Yes! With just a few open chords and a straightforward rhythm, it’s perfect for beginners.

Q2. How can I improve my strumming for this song?

Start with basic downstrums, then work on the subdivided 16th-note pattern with accents for a more authentic feel.

easy

Rock

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Hysteria

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

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.

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

Taught by

Mike Walker

Comfortably Numb

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

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

Smells Like Teen Spirit

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

If You Like Eagles, You'll Love These

Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over Album Live)

by Mike Walker

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.

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

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

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Hotel California

by Steve Luciano