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. 

Welcome to the guitar lesson on I Believe, a collaborative track that came alive in Episode 4 of the first season of The Dewarists. This one’s a musical crossroad between some of India’s most iconic voices, the rock sound of Parikrama, Agnee, and the beautiful vocals of Shilpa Rao. Set and recorded in the vibrant city of Pune, this song was part of a project that was about telling a story of connection, hope, and belief in something bigger than ourselves.

The lyrics of I Believe are filled with quiet strength. Lines like “I believe in the sun, even though it slowly rises” and “I believe in love, even though people live hatred” hit with a impact. It’s a track that reminds us that belief doesn’t always come from evidence, but from the will to hold on to what matters. The song blends English and Hindi lyrics, reflecting the roots and reach of all three artists. It’s a perfect example of what The Dewarists stood for, art that breaks down walls and builds bridges between genres, ideas, and people.

I Believe – Guitar Lesson

This lesson is taught by Mike Walker, who guides you through the arrangement of I Believe in a calm, step-by-step format. The song is built around some familiar chords C, D9(11), Am, D, G, and Em, but what makes it interesting is the way they’re put together.

One of the standout chords here is D9(11). It might look a bit intimidating at first, but it’s just a regular D chord with a couple of notes added, a 9th and an 11th. That gives it a slightly suspended, floating sound. Mike breaks this chord down clearly, showing finger positions and alternate ways to play it if you’re not comfortable with the full voicing. 

The strumming pattern is laid-back and suits the reflective nature of the song. There’s room for both fingerpicking and strumming here, and Mike shows how you can switch between the two depending on the section. The rhythm follows a slow 4/4 feel, letting you focus on dynamics, which bring out the emotion in the song. By the end of the lesson, you’ll know how to play I Believe, and also how to make it sound like you really mean it.

FAQs

Q1. Is I Believe suitable for beginners?

Ans. Yes, this song is great for beginners who know basic chords. The shapes are mostly open chords with a few extended voicings, but nothing too advanced.

Q2. Do I need a capo to play I Believe?

Ans. No, the song is played in standard tuning without a capo.

When Ed Sheeran released “Thinking Out Loud” in 2014, it was pretty special because of the way the chords were used. It quickly became a modern classic; the track was part of his album “X” (multiply). 

It’s a song that perfectly embodies heartfelt lyricism and tasteful musicianship, feeling like a timeless classic. Thus, evoking a sound similar to 60s music while firmly pushing Ed as one of the best contemporary singer-songwriters of the present time. 

The song “Thinking out Loud” features a warm, bluesy D-major chord progression. As you learn this song in this lesson, you will also find occasional color tones that add a gospel-like tenderness. 

Both the structure and the harmony of the different instruments in this made it groundbreaking. To. To be able to play it on your guitar, you will have to be a genius with precision. Keep in mind, it’s completely different from the trendy songs people listen to nowadays; it’s a timeless piece packed with tender storytelling and understated guitar, which every budding guitarist needs to study.

Strumming Pattern 

For beginners who are new to guitar strumming, a good starting point would be: 

D DU UDU. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Using the above-mentioned strumming pattern for the song “Thinking Out Loud,,” you get the flowing, soul-like rhythm for which the music is popular. 

Apart from this, there is one more variation that you should learn once you master the basic one. The thing with Ed Sheeran is that he doesn’t like to stick to one single strumming pattern; he keeps experimenting, which leads to epic live concert performances. 

Here’s how you can use muted strums, ghost hits, and even percussive slaps to add more flair to the strumming pattern: D DxU X UD X. 

• DxU = Down (mute) Up. 
• UP = Light and relaxed strumming on the higher strings; at the same time, this part of the strumming pattern adds a “Chicka-chika” feel, making the song feel more alive rather than just mechanical. 

FAQs – Thinking Out Loud By Ed Sheeran Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. In which key is the song “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran presented? 

Ans. The song uses E major as the main key, but whenever Ed Sheeran plays it live, he uses D major chord shapes in addition to a capo on the 2nd fret. 

Q2. What should be the tuning of my guitar if I wish to play “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran?

Ans. Use standard tuning (E A D G B e) with capo on the 2nd fret. 

Sing is the lead single from Ed Sheeran's sophomore album “X” (Multiply). This was the first time Ed moved past his acoustic singer persona. The song was produced by Pharell Williams, and after it got released it really did shock some of his fans, at the same time it delighted critics. 

Sing is a funky, falsetto-driven song, and even after a decade, this song holds true to be one of the most intriguing and enduring tracks that came out from Ed’s album. It’s a song that shows his willingness to evolve and take those creative risks that many artists fear to take when they reach the height of their career. 

Fun Fact: Ed Sheeran, in one of his videos, said he took the inspiration from Justin Timberlake’s Justified album. The composer Pharrell Williams also worked on the same album and leaned towards the idea of creating something similar for Ed. 

Half of Sing’s credit needs to be devoted to Pharrell, Ed was reluctant on using Falsetto heavy style, feeling it will be too far from his original sound, but Pharell insisted that he should try it out and the result was such a massive breakout that Ed was able to reach UK #1 spot for the first time in his career. 

Why Learn to Sing By Ed Sheeran On Guitar?

''Sing'' is the exception in Ed Sheeran’s discography, most of his fans think of Ed as a tender acoustic musician. It was Sing that flipped the narrative. From this song, Ed offered a danceable energy to his fans, in addition to confidence and versatility. 

Sing is there to help you level up your guitar playing techniques, allowing you to practice strumming precision and the musical groove of a song. At first glance, you will find that the chord progression present in this song is quite simple, but if you look closely, the challenge lies in the rhythm and feel. 

The song requires you to master percussive and palm-muting techniques, which creates a funk-guitar style sound. With this song, you will develop tight timing and rhythmic accuracy. 

Furthermore, it also teaches you to properly use muting, ghost notes, and silence that are crucial means for groove. 

FAQs – Sing By Ed Sheeran Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which chords do I need to use to play Sing by Ed Sheeran on guitar? 

Ans. Am, F, C, and G are the few chords that you need to keep on repeating throughout this song, because it is a loop-style progression. 

Q2. In which key does the song Sing by Ed Sheeran present in? 

Ans. The song is present in A minor, which is considered the relative minor of C major. Keep in mind that there are no sharps or flats present in it. As a result, it is much easier for beginners to navigate through the guitar using it. 

Introduction:

The Middle was released by the band Jimmy Eat World in October 2001 as the second single of their fourth album called, Bleed American (2001). The song became an instant hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2002 and it also reached top 50 in various other countries like Australia, United Kingdom and New Zealand. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The Middle is a power chord driven song which includes fast strumming as well. But if you want you can add arpeggios for adding a bit of variation. 

The optional arpeggio-picking pattern is as follows: 

E|----------------|  

B|------3--------|  

G|----2---2------|  

D|--0-------0----|  

A|--------------|  

E|--------------|  

Strumming Pattern 

This song has open power chords in the chorus section and palm muting in the verses, giving it a classic high-energy-punk rock feel. 

The strumming pattern goes like this: D - D - D - U - D - U  

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum
• - = Pause (mute or let the chord ring)

Song Structure 

Introduction: In the introduction Mike Walker your guitar instructor will teach you how to tune up your guitar in order to play this song. 

Song Demo: This is the final part where Mike will play the guitar part of the song while it plays at the back to show you how to sync up with other instruments and vocals. 

Song Arrangement: Here you will learn how to play the intro, and the middle section of the song along with required intervals which provides the riff of the song that iconic sound. 

Overdubs: In this part of the guitar lesson, you will be learning about the overdubs that you will be playing besides verses 1, 2 and 3. 

Solo Lesson: In this section Mike is going to teach you piece-by-piece how to play the solo of The Middle and give you tips on how to make it sound melodic. 

Why Learn The Middle By Jimmy Eat The World Song?

For someone who is into punk-rock, Jimmy Eat The World’s The Middle is the holy grail of punk music to start with. The main riff of the song is pretty catchy and it can be played using easy power chords. Also, this song can be used as a great introduction to palm muting which allows you to build tight rhythm playing. 

FAQs-The Middle By Jimmy Eat The World Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the meaning behind the song “The Middle?”

Ans. It reflects the hard time that the band had to go through when there was no funding, and they had kept things simple in their recording rather than doing experimentation as they were doing in their previous records. 

Q2. When did Jimmy Eat The World start?

Ans. The band was formed in 1993 and they released their debut EP, entitled One, Two, Three and Four in 1994 under Wooden Blue Records. 

Q3. What is the music genre of Jimmy Eat The World?

Ans. The sound the band created falls in the category of punk rock; the first demo tape of the band was released in 1993, followed by their debut EP.

Stay with Me is a soulful ballad by Sam Smith from their 2014 debut album In the Lonely Hour. The song became one of Smith’s biggest hits, earning them multiple awards, including the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. "Stay with Me" resonates with listeners for its raw emotional intensity, combining heartfelt lyrics with a powerful vocal performance.

For guitar players who are looking for a song that perfectly syncs both simplicity and emotional depth, their search has finally come to an end. With this guitar song lesson by Sam Smith, you will be learning how to play a gentle, soulful chord progression, in addition to showcasing how minimalism can be a powerful thing in music composition.

The song lesson uses “A” minor chords along basic open chords, making it a great song for beginners to practice their expanding guitar skills. There is a strong emphasis on learning expression instead of technique here; the strumming pattern also helps in this pursuit by being steady and slow. As a result, you get to work on your timing, chord transitions, and sense of groove. 

Strumming Pattern For Stay With Me By Sam Smith 

For the most part, you will be playing the following chords: Am (A minor), F (F major — use the easy version: Fmaj7 if barre is hard), C (C major). The song also follows a progression through most of the verse and choruses, Am – F – C. 

So the easiest strumming pattern that goes well with these chords is: D – D – U – U – D – U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum.

The original recording of the song is in C major, but to make things easier, you can put a capo on the 5th fret and play Am–F–C shapes to match the original pitch.

Why Learn Stay With Me By Sam Smith Song On Guitar?

Learning “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith on guitar is a great experience for every guitarist, no matter what their level is. You will be creating an emotional connection by using simple guitar chords that are easy to master. The structure of the entire song composition is simple, as it is built on open chords. 

Likewise, the song is slow-paced and has repetitive progression, thus allowing you to easily gain confidence in playing a new song on guitar. Practicing this song on guitar will give you the required focus and precision while still sounding great, and that too when you are just starting your journey. 

FAQs – Stay With Me By Sam Smith Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Can I play “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith using fingerpicking instead of strumming?

Ans. Yes, the song uses a simple chord progression. Make sure you practice the bass notes first, then slowly move towards the higher strings to create a more intimate and emotional sound. 

Q2. Which tuning should I use for the song “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith when playing it on guitar? 

Ans. It is preferred that you use standard tuning ( E A D G B E); there is no alternate tuning required.

Sun Le Re is a soulful track from the 2013 political thriller Madras Cafe. The composition was done by Shantanu Moitra, and Papon beautifully sang it. It’s a song that perfectly blends Indian classical elements with modern instrumentation to provide listeners with an introspective tone. 

You might not know this, but Sun Le Re was initially cut from the final editing of the film because it did not match the overall theme of the movie, which was pretty intense and fast-paced. But the director wanted it to be in the film because it would give emotional gravity to the film’s characters. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction is by Mike Walker, who shows you how to tune up a guitar to play this song. In addition to this, he also shares that the song is present in the key of D major. 

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This is the first part of the song arrangement, which has a more piano tune to it, but Mike here shows you how to play the same tune on guitar. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In here, you will learn the underlying rhythm that is present beneath the solo, which is part of the song. 

Song Demo: In this section, you will see how Mike plays the guitar chords with the backing track. He also shared some tips on how to play the song on acoustic guitar. 

Solo Lesson: The solo in this song is present in the key of D major and has a B minor scale to it. Mike has divided the solo into different licks in order to make it easier for you to understand how to play it. 

Overdubs: This section talks about the overlaying guitar chords that secondary guitarists play to add more depth to the song. 

Simple Version: Here is a simplified version of the above song lesson, this is for acoustic players, and here Mike plays the song with the backing track while explaining to you where you should be making changes in order to simplify the guitar playing. 

FAQs – Sun Le Re Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is the song Sun Le Re beginner beginner-friendly? 

Ans. Well, in truth, it is a difficult song, but with this guitar lesson, you can also find an easier version of it, which uses basic chords such as Am, G, F, C, and Em. The beginner version is good for people who are comfortable with chord transitions. 

Q2. What are some of the main playing styles in this song? 

Ans. The verse section of the song works best if you use a fingerpicking technique or light arpeggios. On the other hand, for a chorus, gentle strumming is best for providing dynamic variation. 

Q3. What is the time signature of the song Sun Le Re? 

Ans. The time signature is 4/4 with a slow tempo, which usually helps in precise and emotive playing. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Rafta Rafta as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Demo, Conclusion (Chords and Rhythm Section), Easy Version, Overdub Section and Solo Lesson. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Sukoon Mila from Mary Kom is built on harmonical restrictions; it has major-minor transitions, which create a sense of longing and emotional release. In addition to this, the chord progression flows with lyrical sensitivity rather than shifting dramatically, making it one of the best songs that will teach students how to support the harmony of a song without having to overpower it. The intimacy for which the song is known comes from tonic and relative minor tonalities, which give the song its intimate and reflective character.

​Strumming Pattern

The strumming pattern used for this song is pretty subtle; it is built around a 4/4 ballad groove. In order to make this song truly come alive, you should try fingerpicking techniques such as arpeggiated picking. By using them, you will be able to mimic the vulnerability of the vocal line.

​The beginner-friendly strumming pattern is as follows: D – D U – U D U, at the count of 1 – 2 & – & 4 &.​

The above-mentioned strumming pattern works wonderfully when you are able to keep your downstrokes slightly stronger and upstrokes a little lighter. To get a warmer tone, play this strumming pattern softly near the fretboard to create that warmer tone.

• D = Down Strum.
• U = Up Strum.

If you want something more than basic, you can go with this expressive pattern, which also makes your guitar sound close to the original: D – D U – (mute) U D U, at the count of 1 – 2 & – (3) – 4 &.

​When you are playing this, add a very light palm mute on beat 3 to create a subtle breathing pause; this will also add emotional depth to your guitar play.

Why Learn Sukoon Mila From Mary Kom Song On Guitar?

When you are learning this song on the guitar, you are not just adding another Bollywood song to your repertoire; from this, you will learn musical sensitivity. The song is not rhythm-heavy, but it teaches you how to control dynamics, play softly with intention, and let chords breathe.

​Sukoon Mila has that musical composition which avoids overplaying and respects silence. In addition to this, you will be focusing more on the tone, making it possible for you to grow from just a chord player to an actual guitarist.

​FAQs – Sukoon Mila From Mary Kom Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What are some of the common chords used in the song Sukoon Mila from Mary Kom?

Ans. Depending on the key, the common chords you will be playing in this lesson are: D / A / Bm / G.

​Q2. How do I improve the dynamics of the song Sukoon Mila when playing it on guitar?

Ans. Play verses very softly, increase your strumming width in the chorus, and avoid any form of aggressive downstroke.