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. 

Introduction:

Fade to Black was the first power ballad recorded by the metal band Metallica in 1984. This was the first promotional single from the band’s second album which was Ride the Lightning (1984). The final solo of the song uses melody as a means to provide transition to heavy chords. 

Fun Fact: The song and its lyrics address the suicidal feelings because, during the time of its recording, some members of the band were having a really hard time in their personal lives. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios: The solo has heavy chord progression and for the final solo section there are no arpeggios for you to learn. 

Strumming Pattern 

This particular solo is for the lead guitarist, so it doesn’t really follow a strumming pattern like a rhythm part. 

Solo Structure 

Final Solo Part 1: In this part of the guitar solo lesson your instructor is going to be Mike Walker. Mike has divided the final solo from the song Fade to Black in 3 parts, this is the first section from the three parts. 

Final Solo Part 2: This is the second part of the solo, here Mike shows you how to perform overlapping and using the licks that were present in the first part. 

Final Solo Part 3: The third and final section starts with a little pull 

Why Learn to Fade to Black-Final Solo By Metallica?

Learning the guitar solo of Fade to Black isn't an easy task, it is one of the things only lead guitarist in the band wants to try as it requires lots of technical knowledge of the guitar. Speaking of the solo it is the most emotional solo to be ever written and performed in metal history, for this solo you will have to learn how to use bends and vibrato efficiently.

FAQs-This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which one is the saddest song recorded by Metallica? 

Ans. Fade to Black is considered to be the saddest song from the metal group Metallica. 

Q2. What is the meaning of the song Fade to Black? 

Ans. The story behind the creation of Fade to Black is that Hetfield, one of the band members, was kicked out of the band's manager's home after he drank all his booze and broke things. He then went to his friend’s house, and there, on the couch, he wrote the lyrics of Fade to Black. 

Q3. Has Metallica ever performed in India?

Ans. Yes, Metallica did come to India, they performed in Bangalore on October 18 in 2011. There was one more date in Gurugram but the band was not able to perform at that venue. 

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.

Introduction

Ironic is the song by Canadian singer and songwriter Alanis Morissette. It was the third single from her 1995 studio album, Jagged Little Pill. 

In this video lesson Amy May teaches how to play the song Ironic as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Chords, Rhythm, 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: You will use open chords for this song. 

Chorus Variation: D G D E-minor are the chords you will use when playing chorus variation. 

Strumming Pattern 

This song has lots of repetition, making it easier for new guitar players to learn and play. The strumming pattern varies throughout the song, but for the most part, you will be playing:

Down-Down Up-Down Up-Down

Song Structure 

Chords, Rhythm, and Song Demo: This guitar lesson has only one section. Your instructor is Amy May, who will show you how to play specific chords for this song using a capo on the 4th fret. The tuning note for this song is Low-E. 

Why Learn This Song?

For six straight weeks, this song remained on top of the Canadian RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, making it the second most successful song of the year in Canada. In addition to this, Ironic reached the top five spots in Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. This is a pretty catchy song, and once you start listening to it, you will be humming it day in and day out. 

Tips To Improve Guitar Playing: 

• When playing any chord, use one finger for one chord. 
• Always keep your thumb behind the middle finger and halfway down the neck. 
• You must understand that to become a better guitarist, you first need to be a better musician. 

Flowers – Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a sweet pop single –Flowers by Miley Cyrus from the Endless Summer Vacation album that rose to the top numbers as soon as it hit the charts. The song has more than a billion views on YouTube and has become the best-selling global single of 2023. It was her second song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart after ‘Wrecking Ball’ in 2013.

Flowers is about the realisation that you do not need to rely on someone else to feel complete and that you can take care of yourself, give yourself flowers and become the reason for your own happiness and need not look for it elsewhere. She says in an interview, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?”.

The initial version of the song was a slow ballad, with Cyrus singing and Michael Pollack playing the piano. Later, during the production phase, it became an uptempo song.

Flowers Guitar lesson

In this lesson, the instructor goes over all parts of the song, covering each section of the song arrangement. Starting from the basic tuning and key of the song to the structure and layout of the chords that are played, followed by a demonstration of how to improvise on the song with an acoustic guitar.

Flower guitar chords are in the key of A minor, which consists of standard chord shapes of C, Am, Dm, G, F and E. The rhythm of the song is in the standard 4/4 time signature, and the strumming pattern, as meticulously shown by the instructor, is D - D - U D U D U D - D (D is a downward strum, and U is an Upward strum).

The special thing about this song is that, since it is a pop-up tempo song, there is an opportunity for players to learn it and play a slow, acoustic version of it using the same chords in their arpeggiated form (picking the individual strings instead of strumming all at once). The tutor shows how to achieve this sound accurately on every chord that is played on the track. There is also an opportunity to solo or improvise on the track using the A minor pentatonic scale.

FAQs

Q. Is ‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus easy to learn on the guitar?

Yes, ‘Flowers is a beginner-friendly song as it uses standard chord shapes that are easier to play in the open position on the guitar. A steady 4/4 rhythm and a standard pop strumming pattern also help in quick learning.

Q. Do I need a capo to play ‘Flowers’ on the guitar?

You do not need a capo because the song is in the key of A minor, the chords of which can be easily played in the open position. 

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. 

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the most emotional title tracks to come out of Bollywood in the last decade — Sanam Teri Kasam. Composed by Himesh Reshammiya and sung by Ankit Tiwari and Palak Muchhal, this song belongs to the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam, directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru. It tells the story of Inder, a man with a broken past, and Saru, a woman rejected by her own family. Their journey from complete strangers to soulmates is carried forward by the lyrics written by Sameer Anjaan, and this title track captures that entire journey.

The guitar theme by Vivek Verma is one of the standout parts of the soundtrack and plays as a kind of emotional thread that pulls the whole film together. In fact, this theme has become so iconic that it returned to the big screen in the film’s re-release in February 2025. Even years later, people still remember this song not just for its melody, but for how deeply it made them feel.

Sanam Teri Kasam – Guitar Lesson

This lesson is taught by Steve Luciano, and he takes you through the entire track step by step, in a way that’s easy to understand even if you’re not a music theory expert. The song is in the key of C minor, and it has a mix of simple and emotionally rich chords, including Cm, G/B, Eb, Bb/F, Ab, and Bb. These chords create a blend of tension and release, which matches the emotional highs and lows in the song’s storyline.

One interesting chord you’ll play is Bb/F, a slash chord, where the bass note is not the root of the chord. That F in the bass changes the mood of the chord slightly, adding a deeper colour to an otherwise familiar sound. Steve explains this in a way that even beginners can follow, breaking down the fingering and showing how these changes affect the overall feel of the song.

What also stands out in this lesson is how Steve pays attention to not just the chords but the phrasing and mood. The strumming is soft and patient more like painting with sound than just playing rhythm. He also shows how you can play along with the original recording, even suggesting how to simplify some of the chord shapes if you're still getting comfortable with barre chords. Whether you’re looking to perform the song or just play it in your room for yourself, this lesson gives you all the tools to do justice to it.

FAQs

Q. Can beginners learn to play Sanam Teri Kasam?

Yes, but expect a small challenge. Some chords like Bb/F and barre shapes might take practice, but Steve also offers easier versions for those still getting comfortable with these grips.

Q. Do I need a capo for this song?

No capo is used for this version. All chords are played in open or barre forms in standard tuning.

Tose Naina is a song you feel more than you hear; its composition is quite delicate and holds emotional honesty. Tose Naina fits snuggly in every Bollywood romantic playlist. What makes the song special is how easy it is to learn on guitar, while the music remains uncluttered.

From this guitar lesson, you will learn how to make this song more intimate. As you play the chords, the song transcends into a completely different romantic number. If you wish to be more than just a mechanical guitar player, this is a perfect song to learn. From this guitar lesson by Mike Walker, you will get to understand how to make the best of emotional phrasing by letting the notes ring for just the right amount of time. 

Likewise, silences can also work as a powerful sound if you use them at the right moment. So let’s find out what these song lessons are all about.

Chords Used in Tose Naina Song Guitar Lesson

The most common chord you will be playing as you learn this song is G major - Em - C - D. These four chords are considered to be the emotional backbone of the song. Apart from these, you are also going to practice a lot of Am - Bm - D7.

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Use G Major to play arpeggios, and it would be best to put on a capo 3 or 4 to be as close to the original pitch.

Verse Chord Progression:

G  Em

C  D

An extended verse section, which you can use after you are done with the basic chord training of this song, using the extended version, you will be able to make the song sound richer and more balanced.

G  Em

C  D

Em  C

Am  D

Chorus Variation: The chords provided here are for a simple chorus

G  D

Em  C

Am  D

G

For experienced guitar players, given below is a more expressive chord progression:

G  D

Em  C

Am  D

Em  C

D  G

FAQs For Tose Naina Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which is the best key and capo position for the song Tose Naina when learning it on guitar?

Ans. You should be playing the song in G major, or you can put a capo on 3/4 to be as close to the original pitch of the song.

Q2. Is the song Tose Naina suited for arpeggios, or shall I use the strumming technique?

Ans. You can play the entirety of the song with just fingerpicking, because the song uses a combination of silences, space, and sustain. The melody stretches, and it breathes, which is something hard to follow when you are strumming a guitar.

Tu Chahiye - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on one of the most loved romantic songs of modern indian pop music, Tu Chahiye by Atif Aslam. Performed for the Bollywood movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan, the song has received almost 75 million views on YouTube.

The movie is about a man who helps a little girl lost in a foreign land reach her home across the borders of nation and religion.

The song, though, is a subplot. The lyrics express deep emotion and longing for the love interest, fitting the film's emotional themes. Musically, the track goes from slow romantic mush to upbeat disco feel, which can be thought of as a parallel to the storyline shown in the song as well as in the movie overall. The hero and the heroine grow into a romance towards each other as the song progresses.

Tu Chahiye Guitar Lesson

Tu Chahiye guitar lesson is taught by our expert, Steve Luciano, who teaches parts of the song in a section-by-section manner, starting from the intro that talks about the chords and the percussive rhythm pattern, later demonstrating the full song in its entirety.

The song’s intro is built on palm-muted, straightforward power chords –G, C, and D that give it a rhythmic pulse. As the track progresses, it introduces major 7th arpeggios, slash chords like D/F, suspended chords such as Csus2, and augmented chords. These chord variations add an uplifting quality that suits the song’s upbeat, emotional energy.

There are a number of complex chords that require knowledge of theory and some intermediate level of practice to master. So, the tutor, along with the full demo, explains the simpler, more beginner-friendly ways of playing the chords.

The strumming in the song is also a little special; it lasts for two measures, or the whole duration of the chorus, meaning the pattern doesn’t repeat until after the second bar, particularly in the chorus sections. The tutor has explained this in great detail.

Tu Chahiye lyrics and tabs are also available for this lesson, along the right side of the page. The tab sheet can also be downloaded for future reference and practice.

FAQs

Q. Is this song suitable for beginners?

Yes. Although it has some complex chords, like the major 7th, slash chords, suspended and augmented chords, they are not substantially harder than standard chord shapes, and with consistent practice, they can be easily mastered.

Q. Can I play this on an acoustic guitar?

Absolutely! The song does not have many lead lines, so you don’t need an electric guitar, although you can easily play the song on one, and the song is very vocals-forward, as is the case with most Bollywood music; hence, an acoustic guitar is also ideal for it.

Q. Do I need a capo to play Tu Chahiye?

The original key is G major, but if you’re singing along and find it too low, you can use a capo on the 2nd or 3rd fret to raise the pitch. 

The Dave Matthews Band has produced American Baby, which is considered to be one of the best songs to capture an idiosyncratic rhythmic style. This isn’t a technically demanding song, as it does not include complex chord shapes; the foundation of the song rests on the familiarity of open chords. 

Why Learn the American Baby Song By the Matthews Band On Guitar?

This guitar lesson does well to highlight Matthew's percussive strumming, which is also the heartbeat of the song. Likewise, you will be replicating the bounce created by the offbeat Matthews. 

In terms of technicality, this song lesson places a lot on open-string voicings and the use of partial chord shapes, which makes the song unique. Here you will be learning how to play textbook chords, instead of using chord shapes that make the open strings ring against fretted notes, thus resulting in a more lush and shimmering texture that defines the acoustic brilliance of this song. 

FAQs – American Baby Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which tuning is good to play the song American Baby on guitar? 

Ans. You can easily play this song in a standard tuning, which is (E A D G B E). It’s an alternate tuning where the string notes are different from standard; this is used to create new voicings for chords along with resonances. Furthermore, by using the alternate tuning, the song becomes quite easy for you to play. 

Q2. Which type of guitar is best suited to play the song American Baby? 

Ans. The acoustic guitar does a perfect job, since Dave prefers acoustic over electric, and he also writes and performs this song using an acoustic guitar. In addition to this, the rhythm you need to learn for this song requires you to master percussive strumming and open chords. If you wish, you can play this song using an electric guitar as well, but you will be missing out on the fullness that is quintessential for this song. To be able to achieve the fullness of an acoustic guitar, you have to layer it with effects. 

Q3. What should be my strumming pattern when I am playing American Baby by Dave Matthews Band?

Ans. You need to use 4/4 syncopation. Also, when playing this song, you have to keep in mind the accenting of offbeats and use muted downstrokes for better dynamics. 

Q4. How do I capture the groove of the song American Baby while playing it on guitar?

Ans. After learning the chords, strumming patterns, and other crucial aspects of the song from this lesson, we believe you will catch the groove automatically. However, in case you are still missing out, don’t sweat it; use a metronome and practice playing the required chords slowly, focusing on accenting the upstrokes on the off-beat. 

Chundari Penne - Introduction

Chundari Penne is a beloved Malayalam song from the 2016 film Charlie. The track features Dulquer Salmaan’s warm, conversational vocals and was composed by Gopi Sundar with lyrics by Santhosh Varma. The song’s gentle melody and heartfelt words made it an instant favourite. Its mix of acoustic guitar, light percussion, and subtle strings gives it a nostalgic yet fresh feel.

The song connects deeply with the character of Charlie, a free-spirited traveller in the film. This added emotional layers to the music. The lyrics paint a picture of love and longing in simple but poetic Malayalam. Dulquer’s singing style feels personal, almost like he’s telling a story rather than performing. The track stands out in Malayalam cinema for its blend of modern and traditional sounds.

Chundari Penne Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson covers the song’s soothing guitar work. The track is in G major and uses a relaxed strumming pattern that matches its easygoing vibe. The main progression moves between G, Em, C, and D, creating a circular, flowing feel. The chords are basic but played with a light touch to keep the mood airy.

The strumming pattern follows a down-down-up-up-down-up rhythm. This gives the song its signature sway. The tempo is slow, so focus on keeping the strokes even and relaxed. The verses have a softer dynamic, while the chorus opens up slightly with fuller strums. Palm muting is used sparingly, just to add subtle texture in certain spots.

For the lead parts, the melody follows the vocal line closely. The fills between verses use simple hammer-ons and pull-offs on the higher strings. The solo section is minimal, sticking to the G major scale with a few tasteful bends. The tone should be clean and warm, with just a hint of reverb to match the original recording.

Beginners can start by mastering the chord changes at a slow pace. The song’s slow tempo makes it forgiving for practice. Intermediate players should work on matching the delicate dynamics between sections. The key is to keep the playing light and expressive, not forceful.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in this song?

Standard tuning (E A D G B E). No capo is needed.

Q. How do I get the right strumming feel?

Keep your wrist loose and emphasise the upstrokes slightly to create that bouncy rhythm.

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

Yes, the chords are simple, and the slow tempo makes it great for practising smooth transitions.

Q. What effects are used on the guitar?

A clean tone with light reverb and maybe a touch of chorus for depth.

Q. Can I play it fingerstyle?

Absolutely. Plucking the bass notes with your thumb and the higher strings with your fingers will create a softer sound.

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Rock On as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Riff, Verse and Chorus, Solo Rhythm, Bridge, and Overdubs, Song with Backing Track, Solo Lesson and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!