Preview
Believer – Introduction
Welcome to the guitar lesson on a sensational pop blockbuster by one of the greatest pop-rock artists of modern music, Believer by Imagine Dragons. This song needs no introduction, for it amassed 2.8 billion views on YouTube and made Imagine Dragons world-famous, charting their way to everyone’s playlist.
Written in part and sung by Dan Reynolds, the song is about overcoming suffering and pain. He says, “The meaning of the song is reflecting on the painful things in my life, rising above that, finding a place where I could be appreciative of the pain and make it my greatest strength”. The message in the song is acceptance of pain in order to overcome it and cultivate belief in oneself through it, hence the title.
Believer peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's third top ten single after ‘Radioactive’ and ‘Demons’.
Believer Guitar Lesson
In this lesson, the tutor goes through talking about the individual parts of the song, one section after another. The first section contains the basic information about the song, like the key, tuning and tone. The second section talks about the chords and rhythm and the chords used in the song, followed by a section on the structural arrangement of the song, as in the position of verses and choruses. Finally, the tutor demonstrates how to play the song in its entirety with some improvisation tips.
Believer guitar chords are in the key of Bb minor. Mainly, three chords repeat over the length of the track, and palm-muted ‘chugs’ on the thicker strings give the song a metal vibe, while the special 12/8 time signature gives it a pop vibe. 12/8 time commonly feels like a shuffling rhythm, as if counting 1-2-3 repeatedly. The chords used are Bbm, F and F#.
The interesting bit about the arrangement here is in the overdubbed use of multiple guitars or guitar sounds. The tutor explains how there is a distorted rhythm guitar playing the power chords leaning on the low frequencies and the clean lead guitar playing the high frequency harmonies on top of it, both covering the sound space.
The instructor also goes through the lead or the vocal melody section of the song and shows how to play note by note, along with a demonstration on how to improvise on the track using the Bb minor pentatonic scale shape on the fretboard.
Consequently, this tutorial explores all the sections of the great power ballad of a song that Believer is and delivers the lesson in a structured format.
FAQs
Q. What is the story behind Believer by Imagine Dragons?
Dan Reynolds, the frontman of the band, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of arthritis and causes great physical pain. His experience with the pain and rising above it is where the song comes from.
Q. Does Believer have a guitar solo?
Believer does not have a specific guitar solo in the track, but there is plenty of room in the track that you can solo over the chords using the Bb minor pentatonic scale.
Believer
Preview
Introduction
Chords and Rhytm
Song Arrangement
Song Demo
Improvisation
Believer – Introduction
Welcome to the guitar lesson on a sensational pop blockbuster by one of the greatest pop-rock artists of modern music, Believer by Imagine Dragons. This song needs no introduction, for it amassed 2.8 billion views on YouTube and made Imagine Dragons world-famous, charting their way to everyone’s playlist.
Written in part and sung by Dan Reynolds, the song is about overcoming suffering and pain. He says, “The meaning of the song is reflecting on the painful things in my life, rising above that, finding a place where I could be appreciative of the pain and make it my greatest strength”. The message in the song is acceptance of pain in order to overcome it and cultivate belief in oneself through it, hence the title.
Believer peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's third top ten single after ‘Radioactive’ and ‘Demons’.
Believer Guitar Lesson
In this lesson, the tutor goes through talking about the individual parts of the song, one section after another. The first section contains the basic information about the song, like the key, tuning and tone. The second section talks about the chords and rhythm and the chords used in the song, followed by a section on the structural arrangement of the song, as in the position of verses and choruses. Finally, the tutor demonstrates how to play the song in its entirety with some improvisation tips.
Believer guitar chords are in the key of Bb minor. Mainly, three chords repeat over the length of the track, and palm-muted ‘chugs’ on the thicker strings give the song a metal vibe, while the special 12/8 time signature gives it a pop vibe. 12/8 time commonly feels like a shuffling rhythm, as if counting 1-2-3 repeatedly. The chords used are Bbm, F and F#.
The interesting bit about the arrangement here is in the overdubbed use of multiple guitars or guitar sounds. The tutor explains how there is a distorted rhythm guitar playing the power chords leaning on the low frequencies and the clean lead guitar playing the high frequency harmonies on top of it, both covering the sound space.
The instructor also goes through the lead or the vocal melody section of the song and shows how to play note by note, along with a demonstration on how to improvise on the track using the Bb minor pentatonic scale shape on the fretboard.
Consequently, this tutorial explores all the sections of the great power ballad of a song that Believer is and delivers the lesson in a structured format.
FAQs
Q. What is the story behind Believer by Imagine Dragons?
Dan Reynolds, the frontman of the band, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of arthritis and causes great physical pain. His experience with the pain and rising above it is where the song comes from.
Q. Does Believer have a guitar solo?
Believer does not have a specific guitar solo in the track, but there is plenty of room in the track that you can solo over the chords using the Bb minor pentatonic scale.
Believer
Preview
Introduction
Chords and Rhytm
Song Arrangement
Song Demo
Improvisation
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction:
Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, taught by expert instructor Mike Walker. This beautiful and heartfelt song is known for its simplicity and emotional depth, making it a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players. In this lesson, you'll learn two different ways to play this song with and without a capo along with essential strumming techniques and dynamics.
Fun Fact: "Just The Way You Are" was Bruno Mars' debut solo single, earning him the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. This song marked the beginning of his rise to global stardom!
Chords Used in Just The Way You Are Guitar Lesson
With Capo (3rd fret):
- Mike demonstrates how to play the song with chords like Bm, Double Stack G, and others.
- The non-capo version of the song includes just a handful of chords, with one being a barre chord (Bm). However, Mike Walker demonstrates an easy way to play it, making it accessible for all skill levels.
Without Capo:
- Bb (barre chord), F, and others.
- This version features slightly trickier chord shapes, but the lesson breaks down smooth transitions between them.
Strumming Pattern
The song follows a consistent and simple strumming pattern: DDDUDUDD.
Mike explains how to approach string roots and strumming accents to enhance your playing. Tune in to the lesson to learn these techniques in detail.
Pro Tip: Since the song is highly repetitive, dynamics play a crucial role. Dynamics keep the song engaging and expressive. The verse is played slightly louder than the chorus to create contrast and keep the song engaging.
Capo vs. Non-Capo Version
This lesson provides two approaches:
- Capo Version: A beginner-friendly arrangement with simple chord transitions.
- Non-Capo Version: A slightly more advanced version with barre chords and intricate transitions.
Mike plays both versions along with a backing track to help tie everything together. The lyrics provided with the guitar tutorial help you follow along seamlessly, making it easier to match your playing with the vocal phrasing and timing.
Why Learn Just The Way You Are?
This lesson is perfect for players who want to master song dynamics and strumming consistency. You'll also gain experience with barre chords, making it a great stepping stone toward more advanced playing.
FAQs – Just The Way You Are Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
A: Yes! The capo version makes it accessible, while the non-capo version challenges intermediate players.
Q2. Do I need a capo?
A: No, but the capo version simplifies chord shapes and makes the song easier to play.
Q4. What if I struggle with the barre chords?
A: Mike demonstrates easy ways to tackle the barre chords and some tips for smooth transitions and finger positionings.


























