Introduction

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Careless Whisper

by Mike Walker

Pop

Taught by

Mike Walker

Lay Down Sally

by Mike Dugan

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

If It's Love

by Steve Luciano

Introduction

Get ready to master another hit song on Torrins—If It's Love by Train. This moderate-level lesson is taught by Steve Luciano, who breaks down the song into easy-to-follow sections. You'll learn about the chords, strumming patterns, and intricate techniques that make this song so engaging. Steve also shares detailed tips on finger placements and rhythm to help you recreate the authentic feel of the original track.

Fun Fact: If It's Love was written on the same day as Train's hit Hey, Soul Sister in New York City. Pat Monahan wrote it as a love song for the band's long-time fans, thanking them for their unwavering support over the years.

Chords Used in If It's Love

The song is tuned half a step down and features a mix of standard and suspended chords. Some of the key chords used include:

G triad
G chord
Gsus4
Csus4
D4
Dsus/F#
G/B

Tune in to the lesson to learn the other chords that make up this song. Steve carefully explains the finger placements for these chords, especially complex chords like Dsus/F#, to ensure you get the right tone.

Strumming Pattern

The song starts with a drum section, and Steve demonstrates how to simulate that drum feel using strumming techniques.

In the beginning, the rhythm follows a 16th note pattern: DUDUDUD
As the song progresses, the pattern shifts to: DDUUUD

Steve emphasises the importance of keeping your right hand moving to maintain a consistent rhythm. He also explains how to incorporate sliding and arpeggios into your strumming to enhance the song's texture.

Song Structure

If It's Love follows a clear and structured format. Tune in to the lesson to understand the arrangement of the song.

In the beginning, Steve uses just 3–4 chords, making it approachable for most players.

As the song progresses, he introduces more complex chords like Dsus/F#, adding depth to the arrangement

Steve concludes the lesson by playing along with the song, demonstrating smooth transitions between sections.

Improvisation Techniques

For more advanced players, Steve teaches how to improvise over the progression using slides and arpeggios. He also explains how to replicate the original feel of the song by experimenting with the rhythm and strumming intensity.

Why Learn If It's Love?

This song is an excellent way to improve your chord transitions and rhythm skills. It also introduces suspended chords and alternate fingerings, helping you build greater versatility in your playing.

Tips to Control Strumming Intensity:

Keep the beginning section light with gentle strumming.
Add more intensity in the chorus by strumming harder and using accents.
Maintain a steady rhythm throughout the song to keep the groove intact.

FAQs – If It's Love Guitar Lesson

Q1. How can I improve my rhythm and timing?

Practice with the backing track and focus on Steve’s tips for simulating the drum section with your strumming.

Q2. Do I need to tune down my guitar?

Yes, the song is tuned half a step down for an authentic sound.

Q3. How can I handle the suspended chords more smoothly?

Steve suggests specific finger placements and transitions to make switching between suspended chords easier.

moderate

Pop

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Layla

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Rob Marcello teaches how to play the song Old School as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Lick, Three Arpeggio Section, Pedal Point Section, Old School (Verse), Old School (Pre-Chorus), Old School (Chorus), Old School (Verse 2), Old School (Chorus 2), Old School (Solo) and Last Lick and Arragement. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Old School

by Rob Marcello

hard

Neoclassical Rock

Taught by

Rob Marcello

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.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Sister Golden Hair 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

Steve Luciano

Sister Golden Hair

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Crash as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Sing and Play and Putting it all Together. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Crash Into Me

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

What Its Like

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Tune in to a detailed guitar song lesson on What It’s Like, a single by the American musician, Everlast. This 1998’s release was the lead single from his second studio album called Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.

This guitar song lesson is taught by Mike Walker, an experienced musician and instructor at Torrins. He breaks the lesson down into sections: Introduction, Intro Chord Progression, Verse & Chorus, Arrangement, Interlude, and Outro.

Mike Walker teaches the What It’s Like Song guitar lesson using just 3 chords, two of which are Dm and C. No capo is needed!

**Chords Used in What It's Like Guitar Lesson**

This song primarily revolves around three simple chords, making it accessible for players of all levels.
The strumming pattern follows a DDU rhythm, adding a steady groove.

Strumming & Picking Techniques

The song subtly blends strumming and arpeggiation, giving it a dynamic and textured feel. The intro is centered around a D minor chord, with the occasional addition of Dsus4 to introduce subtle variation. Arpeggiated picking is used here to create a melodic and flowing texture, setting the tone for the rest of the song.

In the verse, the D minor chord continues to anchor the progression, while an arpeggiated riff adds depth and makes it more rhythmic.

Moving into the chorus, the strumming follows a consistent DDU (Down-Down-Up) pattern, repeated four times. On the fourth repetition, however, there’s a variation introduced at the end which is a distinctive 8-note strum pattern that adds energy and creates a pumping, driving effect.

Song Structure & Arrangement

The song builds gradually, with familiar sections repeating and subtle changes keeping things interesting. Here's a simple breakdown of how the song flows:

Intro: A catchy opening riff sets the mood and is played four times.

Verse 1: The main melody kicks in and repeats six times, helping you settle into the groove.

Chorus: This part brings in energy. It’s played four times, with a twist added on the fourth round to keep things fresh.

Interlude: A gentle picking section gives you a short breather before heading back into the main theme.

Verse 2: Similar to the first verse, but extended — this time it's played eight times.

Chorus: Returns with the same pattern, repeated four times.

Bridge: Feels like a throwback to the intro, but with a longer run — played six times.

Verse 3: Back again for eight repetitions.

Final Chorus: Played three times as the song winds down.

Outro: The song gradually fades out, giving it a smooth ending.

Mike shares a tip for those struggling with Fmaj7? Try leading with your third finger—this helps you get the note covered first, giving you an extra split second to position the rest of your fingers.

**Why Learn What It’s Like?**

This lesson covers both strumming and fingerpicking, making it great for building dexterity.
The song’s structure teaches you how to transition smoothly between sections and add dynamics to your playing.
This song is a fantastic example of storytelling through music, giving you a chance to add emotion to your performance.

**FAQs – What It’s Like Guitar Lesson**

Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
- Yes! While the Fmaj7 chord can be tricky, the slow tempo and repetitive structure make it easier to master.
Q2: How can I improve my arpeggiation?
- Start slow, focus on even picking, and gradually increase speed.
Q3: Do I need a capo?
- No capo is required for this version.

Fun Fact: The song became Everlast’s biggest solo hit after he left the trio House of Pain and transitioned from rap to a bluesy, acoustic hip-hop style, which was a bold and unexpected move at the time!

easy

Rock

Taught by

Mike Walker

Similar Metal Songs

Symbolic

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction

Get ready to master another death metal classic on Torrins—Symbolic by the band Death. This lesson is taught by Bobby Koelble himself, one of the guitarists on the original track. Bobby breaks down the song into several parts, covering essential chords, rhythms, and guitar tones, ensuring a detailed and engaging learning experience.

Fun Fact

Bobby Koelble joined Death after being recommended to Chuck Schuldiner, the band's co-founder, by a friend working at a local music store. Koelble and Schuldiner had known each other since high school in Orlando. After joining the band, Koelble toured with Death across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan before the band eventually disbanded.

Chords and Techniques Used in Symbolic

Tuning: Standard tuning down a whole step
Key: E minor
Some of the chords used in this song are G#, F#, Bm, and A7. Tune in to the lesson to know the rest of the chords used in this song.

Song Structure

Main Riff: The main riff repeats seven times and features vibrato, alternative picking, and palm muting. It includes a few power chords, one being G#.
Chorus: The chorus riff follows the same pattern as the main riff but repeats 14 times. Tune in to the lesson for a detailed breakdown of the rest of the chorus.
Solo Section: The solo section features four power chords. In this section, there’s a transition riff as well, which consists of four single notes and a power chord.
Solo section played by Bobby in the original song: It is played in the key of F# and features chords like B minor, F# power chord, and A7—all diatonic to F#. He breaks down the solo into three sections: beginning, middle, and end and shares valuable tips on mastering the solo, including his creative process behind crafting the iconic riff.

Bobby plays all elements slowly, first to make it easier to follow, then repeats them at normal speed. He also explains the guitar tone in detail.

Why Learn Symbolic?

This lesson provides a detailed breakdown of one of death metal’s most iconic tracks. Bobby Koelble’s insight into the composition and technique will help you refine your alternative picking, palm muting, and power chord transitions. It's a challenging yet rewarding song to master for any metal guitarist. If you’re an advanced player or an intermediate player looking for songs to improve your techniques, this song has to be in your repertoire.

Tips to Improve Your Playing

Start by playing the riffs at a slower pace, then gradually increase your speed.
Pay close attention to the vibrato and palm muting techniques to capture the song’s unique tone.
Focus on smooth chord transitions during the solo to maintain the song’s flow.

FAQs – Symbolic Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song suitable for beginners?

Ans: This lesson is recommended for intermediate to advanced players due to its fast-paced riffs and complex solos.

Q2. What tuning is used for this song?

Ans: The song is played in standard tuning down a whole step.

moderate

Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Aces High

by Mike Walker

Aces High - Introduction

Aces High" is the eleventh single by legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, written by bassist Steve Harris for their 1984 album Powerslave. The song's lyrics vividly depict a British RAF pilot's experience during the Battle of Britain (1940), with the band's mascot Eddie appearing as a Spitfire pilot on the single artwork. The track has become one of Iron Maiden's most iconic songs, featured in numerous video games and extreme sports films.

The song's B-side contains a cover medley of Nektar's "Crying in the Dark" and "King of Twilight" from their 1972 album. The music video, filmed during the World Slavery Tour in Poland, incorporates authentic Battle of Britain newsreel footage. This powerful imagery became a staple of Iron Maiden's live shows, often paired with Winston Churchill's famous wartime speeches as an introduction.

Aces High Guitar Lesson

This lesson with Mike Walker teaches you how to play "Aces High" properly. The song keeps changing keys - it starts in C, then goes to A, then G, then back to C. This makes the song exciting but tricky to play. When the key changes, the mood of the song changes too, just like how a dogfight has calm moments and crazy moments.

The main riff uses something called harmonised guitars - that means two guitars play the same tune but at different pitches, making a cool twin sound. The rhythm is called "galloping" because it goes fast like a horse (down-down-up, down-down-up). You need to palm mute the strings near the bridge to get that tight, machine-gun sound Iron Maiden is famous for.

The solos use a special scale that sounds Middle Eastern. It's basically the minor scale but with the second note lowered (so in E minor, you play F natural instead of F#). This makes the solo sound tense and dramatic, which goes well for a war song. The fast parts need alternate picking - down-up-down-up - to play cleanly at high speed.

For beginners, start by learning just the power chords (C5, A5, G5) and the galloping rhythm slowly. The chords are simple, but switching between them fast is hard. Advanced players should work on the twin guitar harmonies and the quick key changes. The song is tough, but satisfying to play once you get it right, like most metal songs.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in Aces High?

The original recording uses Eb tuning (all strings tuned half-step down) but can be played in standard tuning.

Q. How to play the galloping rhythm?

Use alternate picking with emphasis on the downstrokes: Down-Down-Up pattern repeated.

Q. Is this song suitable for beginners?

The simplified power chord version is accessible, but the full arrangement requires intermediate skills.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Nothing Else Matters

by Bobby Koelble

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Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Lack Of Comprehension

by Bobby Koelble

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Fear of the Dark Solos

by Mike Walker

Fear of the Dark - Introduction

Fear of the Dark is one of Iron Maiden’s most famous songs, released in 1992 on the album of the same name. Written by bassist Steve Harris, it explores the fear of darkness and the unknown. The song starts slow and eerie, then explodes into fast, heavy riffs. It became a fan favourite, especially in live shows where the crowd sings along.

The lyrics describe the creeping fear of being alone in the dark, where every shadow feels threatening. Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals and the twin-guitar harmonies make it unforgettable. The song’s structure is dynamic; starting quietly, building tension, then bursting into full energy. It remains one of their most-streamed tracks today.

Fear of the Dark Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down the song’s F major to D minor shifts. The intro uses clean arpeggios (F - C - Dm - Bb) before the heavy riff kicks in. The main riff is in D minor, played with palm muting for a tight sound. The tempo starts at 80 BPM but speeds up later.

The verse has a chugging rhythm (D5 - C5 - Bb5), while the chorus opens up with power chords (F5 - C5 - D5 - Bb5). The solos use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#), giving them a dark, dramatic feel. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—two guitars play different but matching melodies.

For the solos, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#). This scale gives the leads their dramatic, almost classical sound. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—one guitar plays a melody while the other plays a matching part at a different pitch. These harmonies use intervals of thirds and sixths to create that classic Iron Maiden sound.

The bridge section before the final chorus has a rhythm part with quick chord changes. Here, you switch between D5 - F5 - C5 - Bb5 in rapid succession. The key is to keep your palm muting consistent while moving between chords. The song ends with a repeat of the intro arpeggios.

Beginners should start by learning the power chord shapes and the galloping rhythm pattern. Practice the palm muting to get that tight, punchy sound. Intermediate players can work on the twin-guitar harmonies—try recording one part and playing the other over it. Advanced players should focus on the vibrato and bends in the solos, which need to be precise to match the original recording.

FAQs

Q. What tuning does Iron Maiden use for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE), though they sometimes play it half-step down live.

Q. How do I play the rhythm correctly?

Use downstrokes on the main beats and upstrokes in between (down-down-up). Start slow with a metronome.

Q. Why does the solo sound so dramatic?

It uses the D harmonic minor scale, which has a raised 7th note (C# instead of C natural).

Q. Can I play this song on a single guitar?

Yes, but you’ll miss the harmonies. Try recording one guitar part and playing the other over.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Take a Look Around (MI Theme)

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Limp Bizkit recorded the song “Take a Look Around” in the year 2000. It was their first single and tenth track of the album called Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

This particular song ranked as number six and number four by Louder Sound and Kerrang, respectively, as Limp Bizkit's greatest songs of all time.

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Take a Look Around (MI Theme) as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Song Arrangement and Song Demo. 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: The song is in the key of A, and the tempo of the song is 100 bpm.

Song Structure

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Walker, your guitar instructor, is going to show you the tuning settings for the song. You will also get to know how to play this song in one and a half steps down.

Song Arrangement: Here you will learn about the four bar space that comes in the intro and the second verse, which is something you get to hear a lot in Mission Impossible movies in the background.

Song Demo: This is the final section of the guitar lesson, here you will get to see how to play the guitar chords alongside the song.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Voice of the Soul

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction

Voices of the Soul is the song from the seventh and final studio album of the Florida-based death metal band called “Death.” This particular song has an eerie spectre, and it is one of the most experimental and expansive songs from Death, with impressive songwriting.

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 show you the key in which the song is to be played.

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.

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Breaking the Habit

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson Clay Foster teaches how to play the song Overture 1928 as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Chord Sections, Whole Tone Riff in E, Solo 1, Solo 2, Post Solo Lick in Em, Chromatic Riff, Outro Chords and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

Overture 1928

by Clay Foster

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Taught by

Clay Foster

Fade to Black

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

If You Like Death, You'll Love These

1000 Eyes

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction: 1000 Eyes by Death is the song from their sixth studio album called Symbolic which was released on March 21st, 1995 under the label of Roadrunner records.

Fun Fact: The song talks about the unstoppable surveillance of the government on society.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: You will be using single-note arpeggios instead of full chords, and the arpeggios in the verse are as follows:

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

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

G|----7----5----4-----|

D|---5----4----3------|

A|--3----2----1-------|

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

Strumming Pattern:

The strumming pattern you have to follow for this song is a bit more of a fast alternate picking, tremolo picking, and palm-muted chugging. As a result, here’s how you will be strumming:

For palm muted chugging: D - D - DUD - D - D - DUD

Palm muted galloping: D - DUD - D - D - D - DUD

D = Down strum
U = Up strum

Song Structure:

Introduction: In the introduction your guitar instructor Bobby Koelble shares his insights about the song, what it means and the tuning required for it.
Intro Riff: Here you will learn about the intro of the song which is 8 bars in length. Also, you will learn how to play all the measures that are present in the intro.
Intro Solo: This section shows you how to play Chuck's solo part in the intro of the song.
Song Arrangement Part 1: From this section the main part of the song begins as Chuck

starts to sing from here. The guitar instructor breaks the arrangement down in several parts to make things easier here.

Song Arrangement Part 2: This part of the guitar lesson deals with the guitar playing you will be doing alongside the main chorus of the song. It is pretty faced paced strumming and chord progression so you need to have your full focus.
Song Demo: This is the part where Bobby is going to play the entirety of the song while the backing track is played. It is to show you how to strum and play chords in different parts.
Solo Lesson: Finally you will be learning Chuck's solo in this section, it is present in the Key of A minor. The riff which plays under the solo has already been taught in the above section of the song lesson.

Why should you learn 1000 Eyes By Death Song?

1000 Eyes has some of the most excruciating fast-paced riffs, which makes it challenging to play both for alternate picking and fret-hand coordination. As a result, it is a perfect song to build your speed and precision. It also gives you a challenge, so if you feel like all the songs that you have been playing on the guitar are too easy for you, this song will surely turn things around.

FAQs for 1000 Eyes by death Guitar Lesson

Q1. What happened to the Death band?

Ans. The band before breaking up in 2001 went through a lot of changes, all of this happened after the death of Schuldiner. The final line up of the band before the break up was Schuldiner on guitars and vocals, Shannon Hamm on guitars, Richard Christy on drums.

Q2. Was Chuck Schuldiner a good person in real life?

Ans. The death metal legend was friendly and loved his family members. Throughout his life, he had a bunch of his friends, and they all stuck together. His parents were still in contact with other band members and told them how Chuck helped them when they needed it the most.

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

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Pull the Plug

by Bobby Koelble

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Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Zero Tolerance

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction:

Torrins brings you an in-depth guitar lesson on Zero Tolerance by Death, taught by none other than Bobby Koelble—one of the original guitarists on the track. This lesson dissects the song’s intricate riffs, multiple solos, and unique techniques to help you master this classic death metal piece.

Fun Fact: The title Zero Tolerance was later used for two compilation albums released under Chuck Schuldiner’s name, featuring rare demo material from both Death and Control Denied.

Tuning and Song Structure

Standard tuning, down a whole step.
Multiple solos from both Chuck Schuldiner and Bobby Koelble.
This Lesson is structured into key sections: Introduction, Intro Riff, Solo-1 (Chuck), Chorus, Bridge, Main Solos (Chuck & Bobby), Solo 2 (Bobby), Song Demo, and Final Note on Chorus.
Make sure to use the provided chords and tabs to follow along!

Breaking Down the Song

Intro Riff

Mostly in the key of E minor.
Straightforward riff featuring power chords, including low E power chords.
Incorporates muted string techniques for a tight and punchy sound.

First Solo (Chuck Schuldiner)

Simple power chord progression in the background, one of which is C.
Features an E minor major 7 arpeggio.
Chuck was known for focusing on feel rather than strict technical terms—tune into the lesson for an in-depth breakdown!

Chorus

Includes a riff and a melody.
Has a slow tempo (for a Death song), making it one of the easier riffs to play.
Features low E power chords, single notes, and palm-muted sections, along with other chords.

Bridge

A relatively easy section featuring some power chords and palm-muted notes.
Watch the lesson to master the additional chords!

Main Solo (Chuck Schuldiner)

Opens with a harmonized melodic lick up the 3rd.
Uses the A harmonic minor scale.
Bobby shares valuable insights on writing melodic solos—a must-watch for aspiring songwriters.

Main Solo (Bobby Koelble)

Played in F# minor.
Starts with an introductory lick harmonized up a 5th, then shifts to a minor 3rd harmony.
Solo is broken down into multiple digestible sections for easy learning.

Solo 2 (Bobby Koelble)

A short but technical solo occurring between the verse and chorus.
Starts with a C note and a tapped harmonic.
This section covers artificial harmonics.

Final Note on Chorus

Discusses the background chords heard in the final chorus.
Bobby teaches unique finger positioning techniques to recreate the exact sound.

Song Demo & Summary

To wrap it all up, Bobby plays the full song with a backing track, demonstrating how all the sections come together.

Why Learn Zero Tolerance?

Learn palm muting, power chord progressions, and harmonized melodies.
Master multiple solo styles, from Chuck’s emotive phrasing to Bobby’s technical intricacies.
Get valuable songwriting and soloing insights from an original artist of the song.

FAQs – Zero Tolerance Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this lesson beginner-friendly?

This lesson leans more towards intermediate to advanced players.

Q2. How can I improve my palm muting technique?

Focus on muting with the side of your palm near the bridge while maintaining a tight, controlled attack.

Q3. Are tabs provided for the lesson?

Yes! The chords and tabs included will help you nail every section.

moderate

Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Bite the Pain

by Bobby Koelble

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Overactive Imagination

by Bobby Koelble