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 favorite, 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 quiet, 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.

Introduction

I Will Wait is a song by Mumford & Sons. It was released in the United States in 2012 as a lead single for their second studio album, Babel (2012). Rolling Stones Magazine named this song as the 13th-best song that came out that year. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: In the key of D flat, you have to put on a capo on the first fret of your guitar to play this song. 

Strumming Pattern 

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

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

This strumming pattern results in a rolling, percussive feel, which resonates with the song’s energetic drive. 

Song Structure 

• Introduction: In this part of the guitar lesson, your guitar instructor talks about the song and the band Mumford & Sons. He will also teach you how to tune the guitar in order to play this song. 
• Chords and Rhythm: In this section, you will learn how to play both the rhythm and the vocal sections of the song. Furthermore, J.J. Pattishall will show you how to keep up with the underlying rhythm of the song. 
• Song Arrangement: This part of the guitar lesson is divided into five different sections: intro, verse, pre-chorus, bridge, and chorus to make it easier for you to learn chord progressions that you need to play at a certain point in the song. 
• Sing and Play: Here, you will learn how to sing along as you play chords on the guitar. Your guitar instructor will show you how you can mark certain downbeats to steer your vocal in the right direction as you sing along. 
• Song Demo: At this point, J.J is going to give a demo of the song where he plays the song on guitar and sings along with the backing track. 
• Non-Capo Version: This is the alternative version of the song, which does not require capo at all. 

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. 

Introduction

Absinthe Party is the most well-known song from Minus the Bear. It involves intricate guitar play along with unique rhythm and tapping techniques. Minus the Bear is an Indie rock band from America; in their entire run, the band released a total of 6 studio albums. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Instead of the traditional way, Minus the Bear uses the tapping technique to create arpeggios for this song, here’s an example of how you can also play arpeggios for this track: 

e|------7h10p7-----7h10p7------|  

B|-----------------------------|  

G|----7---------7-------------|  

D|--9---------9---------------|  

A|-----------------------------|  

E|-----------------------------| 

Strumming Pattern 

This song requires you to learn finger tapping, syncopated rhythms, along with layered guitar parts. The band was less resilient to the traditional strumming pattern; still if you are looking for a rhythm guitar approach you can follow this pattern: D D U U D U. 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of this guitar lesson starts with prepping your guitar with the necessary tuning. 

Tapping Section: In this section, you will be learning about how to play the first part of the song using the two-handed tapping technique. 

Distortion Section: For this section you have to turn on the distortion on your amplifier, you will be playing a repetitive riff which will be replayed 4 times in the song. 

Song Demo: Here your music instructor Mike Walker is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Overdubs: There are two overdub sections in this song and in this part of the guitar lesson Mike is going to teach you both of them. 

Why Learn Absinthe Party By Minus The Bear?

For this song, you have to learn an intricate technique of two-hand tapping, which makes it both fun and challenging even for an expert guitarist. As you learn this song, you will be able to work on your dexterity, coordination and fluid playing. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Did Minus the Bear stop performing? 

Ans. In 2018, Minus the Bear came out with sad news of their retirement. They accompanied their retirement with a farewell tour as well. In 2025, the band reunited once again and announced an anniversary tour to commemorate their 20th anniversary of Menos el Oso. 

Q2. Who is the lead singer of the Absinthe Party by Minus the Bear? 

Ans. Jake Snider is the lead singer of the band, and he was the main vocalist of the song Absinthe Party. 

Q3. What Type of music does Minus The Bear produce? 

Ans. All the songs from Minus the Bear can be categorised as experimental rock, there had been a number of twists and turns in their music throughout their 17 year long run. The band was able to build a strong fan base after they were formed in 2001. 

Fun Fact: A friend of the band went on a date and when Jake Snider who was singer and guitarist for the band asked him how his date was he said You know that TV show from the '70s, B. J. and the Bear? It was like that ... minus the Bear.' And from there all the members agreed on naming that reference as their official band name. 

Introduction

It’s Time is the debut single by the American rock band Imagine Dragons. The song was released as the leading single from the band’s first major label EP which was Continued Silence. In the same year the band included this song in their first feature album. 

It’s Time is the staple of Imagine Dragons’s live concert; they usually play this song in the beginning of their performance as it is the first song which gave the band its much needed recognition in the American music scene. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song It's Time 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 It’s Time is present in the key of D 

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern that you have to follow for this song is D-DU-UD-DU, which means: 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum
• - = Pause or slight break

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this part of the guitar lesson Mike Walker your music instructor is going to show you the tuning requirements for the song. 

Song Arrangement: Here, you are going to learn how to play specific chords in the open chord style. In addition to this, you will also learn the lick, which you will be playing over and over again in the verses. 

Song Demo: This is the last part of this guitar song lesson where Mike is going to teach you how to play the guitar section alongside the backing track. 

Introduction:

Chet is a fingerpicking legend and in this song he used Travis picking technique which helped him in building amazing melody and harmonisation with other instruments.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song follows the typical chord progression in the key of C major, which incorporates the dominant 7th in addition to the passing chords to add richness. 

The arpeggios patterns are as follows: 

Bass: C  - G  - C  - G  

(A)  (D)  (A)  (D)  

Melody: pluck pluck  

(B)    (G) 

Strumming Pattern: 

Mr Bojangles doesn’t follow your traditional strumming pattern because it uses fingerstyle arrangement. In here the thumb is playing alternative bass notes while fingers are used for plucking chords for harmony and melody. 

The most common fingerstyle arrangement that you can follow for this is T - F - T - F

• T (Thumb) plays the bass notes on the low strings (E, A, or D)
• F (Fingers - Index/Middle) pluck the melody notes on the higher strings (G, B, or E)

Song Structure:

Introduction: In this introduction by Muriel Anderson your guitar instructor for this song lesson you will get to know about the finger arrangement used and fingerstyle that you have to follow. 

Section A - Part 1: Muriel has divided the song in different parts and this is the part 1 of the song arrangement. Here you will learn the chords you will be playing at the intro of the song. 

Section A - Part 2: In this part you will learn the remaining chords for the intro section of the song. 

Section B: From here, you will be moving to the second half of the song. 

Turnaround Variation: Right here in the guitar lesson, you will learn how to smoothly transition from one guitar section to the other in the song. It will follow a shorter chord progression. 

Variation: Your guitar instructor is going to show you how to make a slight change or embellishment in the melody while keeping the core structure of the song intact. 

Tag: In here you will learn about the tag which is the small section repeated after you complete with the verse guitar tunes. 

Conclusion: This is the last part of this guitar lesson, here Muriel talks about the song and how one can make little improvisation in it to make it sound fuller. 

This song has fast paced, driving strumming which allows you to develop strumming rhythm and endurance. It is pretty great for practicing dynamic strumming and percussive accents. Due to quick chord shifting you will be able to build finger strength and speed. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What happened to the Mumford & Sons lead singer?

Ans. The lead singer of the group said that he will be leaving the band in October 2022 due to some controversial issues with the members. But he made sure that none of the band members and their families had to suffer any consequences. 

Q2. Will Mumford & Sons be touring in 2025? 

Ans. The band is embarking on a global club tour, which will start in March 2025. 

Q3. What kind of band is Mumford & Sons? 

Ans. They are a British folk-rock band who are known for their raucous, fast-paced, and sonically dense instrumentation. The lyrics are highly concentrated on christianity. 

Auliya – Introduction

Auliya is a deeply emotional song from the 2019 Bollywood film Hum Chaar, sung by Atif Aslam. The song blends traditional and modern musical styles, creating a calm and reflective mood that touches on themes of devotion and longing. The lyrics, written by Shabbir Ahmed, speak to a heartfelt yearning and spiritual connection, which Atif Aslam delivers with sincere emotion. This combination makes Auliya stand out as a beautiful ballad that resonates with many listeners.

The film Hum Chaar tells the story of four friends navigating their relationships and personal growth, and Auliya fits perfectly into this narrative as a soulful reflection of their emotional struggles. Composed by Vipin Patwa, the song’s melody and arrangement carry a softness that matches the film’s thoughtful tone. The song’s lyrical video, with its simple yet expressive visuals, has also helped it gain popularity, making it a memorable and meaningful part of the movie’s soundtrack.

Auliya – Guitar Lesson

Steve Luciano’s lesson on Auliya breaks down the guitar work in a way that’s approachable and easy to follow. The song features a variety of chords that create a rich and layered sound, starting with some basic shapes like Bm7, D, and E, then moving to more colorful ones like Bbmaj7 and Gb/Bb. These chords give the song a blend of warmth and depth, making it interesting to play and listen to.

The arrangement uses some chord variations that might sound complex at first, but Steve simplifies them by explaining how each chord relates to the song’s key and mood. For example, the Asus2 chord adds a gentle, open sound, while Bm/A and A/C# are examples of chords with bass notes that add smooth transitions and melodic movement in the progression. Steve highlights these to help players understand how small changes in chord shapes can make a big emotional impact.

Steve also focuses on rhythm and dynamics, showing how playing softly and with feeling can bring out the song’s introspective quality. The strumming pattern isn’t rushed; it lets the chords breathe, matching the slow, meditative pace of the song. For those interested in fingerpicking, Steve demonstrates how picking certain notes within the chords can add texture and emphasize the melody, giving beginners a chance to develop control and expression in their playing.

Overall, the lesson is designed to make the song accessible while still preserving its emotional depth. Whether you’re new to guitar or more experienced, Steve’s clear guidance helps you capture the spirit of Auliya, making it a rewarding song to learn and perform.

FAQs

Q. What key is Auliya played in?

The song uses chords mostly around B minor and D major, giving it a warm and reflective feel.

Q. Are there difficult chords in Auliya?

There are some chord shapes with added bass notes like Bm/A and A/C#, but Steve breaks them down simply for easier learning.

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Bang Bang, the electrifying dance anthem from the 2014 Bollywood blockbuster Bang Bang!. Sung by with music by Vishal–Shekhar and lyrics by Vishal Dadlani, is a standalone celebration of glam, speed, and style. The track dropped with the film's release and became the go-to dance number across parties and stages, mostly thanks to Hrithik Roshan’s jaw-dropping dance moves that lit up the screen.

The song’s popularity shot up even further with the #BangBangDare challenge on social media, where Hrithik challenged other celebrities to take on quirky dares, making it a viral moment in Bollywood pop culture. The video is dripping with high-end visuals and sleek outfits. Though the film itself was inspired by the Hollywood action film Knight and Day, the song carved its own identity and continues to be a staple on Bollywood dance playlists, even years after its release.

Bang Bang – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, our instructor J.J. Patishall breaks down the musical side of Bang Bang in a way that's easy to follow, even if you’re not familiar with its high-energy vibe. The song is in the key of E minor, which gives it a slightly darker tone, but the chord choices keep things fresh and groovy. You’ll be working with Em7, Cmaj7, Am7, and Bm7 all of which are seventh chords that add the funky vibe.

The chord voicings used here are jazzy, creating a nice contrast to the high-energy visuals. For example, the Em7 chord gives a mellow, emotional base, while the Cmaj7 brings in brightness. The Am7 and Bm7 both are in place to support the groove, especially in the chorus sections. J J goes over each chord slowly, showing you finger placement and offering tips on how to make the transitions easier. This lesson focuses on how to keep the playing clean, especially since the feel of the song depends heavily on groove.

Rhythm-wise, there’s a strong focus on muted strumming and syncopation. The strumming pattern is a little tight and percussive. J J breaks this down in a way that even if you're new to syncopation, you’ll get the hang of it with a little practice. The lesson ends with a full playthrough so you can hear how everything ties together, and even try to play along once you're comfortable.

FAQs

Q. What skill level is Bang Bang ideal for?

This lesson is great for intermediate players if you know how to play basic seventh chords and are looking to improve your rhythm.

Q. Is the song in standard tuning?

Yes, the song is played in standard tuning — E A D G B E. No capo or alternate tuning is required.

Welcome to the guitar lesson for Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon, a touching Hindi song that became hugely popular soon after its release in 2015. Sung by Armaan Malik and composed by Amaal Mallik, the song beautifully captures the feeling of love that stays alive even when two people are apart. The lyrics express this emotional idea in a simple but powerful way, with lines like “Main rahoon ya na rahoon, tum mujh mein kahin baaki rehna,” meaning “Whether I am here or not, stay somewhere inside me.” 

The song’s music video adds another layer to the story, featuring Bollywood actors Emraan Hashmi and Esha Gupta, shot in the picturesque setting of Goa. The visuals tell a gentle, heartfelt tale of two people connected by love despite their struggles. The song has been praised for its emotional depth and was recognized with awards for both its music and video, which speaks to how much it resonated with fans. It’s a song that feels personal and timeless, making it perfect for anyone who wants to learn a romantic, meaningful tune on guitar.

Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon – Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor Steve Luciano breaks down a simple version of Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon that’s perfect for beginner and intermediate players. The chords used in the song include G, D7, Em7, Am7, Dsus4, B7, A, F, and Fmaj7. Steve carefully explains each chord, focusing on making them easy to switch between, so the song flows smoothly. 

He also shows how to handle the more complex chords like F and Fmaj7 by using simplified finger positions that still sound full but aren’t overwhelming for new players.

Steve’s approach to teaching the strumming pattern is relaxed and easy to follow. He demonstrates a gentle rhythm that fits the soft mood of the song, helping learners capture the emotional tone without rushing or overcomplicating things. 

The pattern combines downward and upward strums in a way that supports the vocal melody, making it easier for those who want to sing along while playing. Steve also encourages players to listen closely to the original track to get a feel for the pacing and dynamics.

Beyond chords and strumming, Steve touches on small musical details like where to let notes ring longer and how to add little pauses for effect. These subtle tips help bring out the song’s tender vibe and make your playing sound more expressive. He also offers advice on timing changes, especially around the chorus, so you can keep the song’s natural flow. 

The lesson is designed to make the learning process feel smooth and enjoyable, even if you’re new to guitar.

FAQs

Q. Is this version good for beginners?

Yes, Steve’s simplified chord shapes and strumming pattern are beginner-friendly and easy to follow.

Q. Can I play this song without barre chords?

Absolutely. Steve shows easier alternatives for the harder chords so you don’t have to use barre chords if you’re not comfortable with them yet.