Black Magic Woman - Introduction

"Black Magic Woman" is one of Santana’s most famous songs, though it was originally written by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Santana’s 1970 version, featured on the album Abraxas, transformed the track into a Latin rock masterpiece. The song blends bluesy guitar riffs with Afro-Latin percussion, creating a hypnotic and rhythmic groove. Carlos Santana’s smooth yet fiery guitar playing gives the track its signature sound, making it instantly recognizable.

The lyrics tell the story of a man enchanted by a mysterious woman, a common theme in blues music. Santana’s version extends the original with an instrumental section that transitions into "Gypsy Queen," a piece by jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó. This fusion of styles helped define Latin rock and cemented Santana’s place in music history. The song became a massive hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, and remains a classic rock staple today.

Black Magic Woman Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down how to play "Black Magic Woman" in the original key. The song revolves around three main chords: Dm7, Am7, and Gm7, giving it a moody, bluesy feel. The rhythm follows a Latin-inspired groove, with a steady pulse that makes it perfect for practicing timing and feel.

The intro features Santana’s iconic minor pentatonic lick, played with smooth bends and vibrato. The verse uses a repeating chord progression (Dm7 - Am7 - Gm7 - Dm7), with a laid-back strumming pattern that locks in with the percussion. The chorus shifts to a more open sound, letting the chords ring out before returning to the verse groove.

For the solo sections, Santana uses the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C) with added bluesy bends and expressive phrasing. The key is to play with emotion—let notes sustain, add vibrato, and slide between positions for that signature Santana sound. The transition into "Gypsy Queen" introduces faster, more intricate picking patterns, so start slow and focus on clarity.

Beginners should first master the chord changes and basic rhythm. Intermediate players can work on the intro riff and solo licks, paying attention to bends and vibrato. Advanced players should experiment with improvisation over the Dm7 vamp, using Santana’s phrasing as inspiration.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE)—no drop tuning or capo needed.

Q. How do I get Santana’s tone?

Use a smooth overdrive (not too distorted), with slight delay and reverb. Roll off some treble for warmth.

Q. What’s the strumming pattern?

A relaxed down-down-up with emphasis on beats 2 and 4 to match the Latin groove.

Q. Can I play this without a band?

Yes, but focus on keeping the rhythm tight—the groove is essential.

Q. How do I practice the bends in the solo?

Start slow, ensuring each bend reaches the correct pitch (e.g., bend G to A in the D minor scale).

Introduction:

It’s My Life is known to be one of the rock anthems, it was released in May, 2000 as the lead single of the seventh album called Crush by the rock band Bon Jovi. This was the song which made it possible for the band to introduce themselves to the younger fanbase. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song uses power chords most of the time along with some strong strumming, but it is up to you to add arpeggios to add another dynamic layer in the verses 

Instead of strumming, you can also play the following arpeggios in the verse section:

E|----------------|  

B|------0--------|  

G|----0---0------|  

D|--2-------2----|  

A|--------------|  

E|--------------| 

Strumming Pattern 

This song uses palm muting and strong downstrokes in order to create the classic rock sound. The main strumming pattern for It’s My Life by Bon Jovi is: D D X U D X U D  

• D (Downstroke) → Hit the full chord with power.
• X (Palm Mute) → Lightly rest your palm on the strings for a muted "chug" effect.
• U (Upstroke) → Play lightly, focusing on the higher strings for dynamics.

Song Structure 

Introduction: In the introduction of the song you will be getting to know the tuning required to play this song. 

Song Arrangement: Here you guitar instructor Mike Walker will be combining the guitar and piano parts of the song together which allows you to play the iconic guitar melody of this song. 

Song Demo: After understanding what chords you need to play and where, in this part Mike is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Solo: This is the final part of the guitar lesson, and here you will be learning all the licks which are part of the guitar solo. 

Good Times Bad Times - Introduction

Good Times Bad Times" is the first song on Led Zeppelin's 1969 debut album. The band released it as their first single in America. John Paul Jones wrote the main riff on a Hammond organ before playing it on bass. Jimmy Page used a Fender Telecaster guitar with a Tone Bender pedal for a fuzzy sound.

John Bonham played fast triplets on his bass drum with one foot. This drum technique impressed Jimi Hendrix. Robert Plant recorded his vocals twice to make them sound thicker. The song was almost called "A Man I Know" before they changed the title.

Good Times Bad Times Guitar Lesson

Mike Dugan's lesson breaks down every essential element of this classic track. The song's foundation lies in its deceptively simple power chord progression in E major. What makes it unique is the sliding technique between chords rather than the typical staccato approach. When playing the main riff (E5-D5-A5), focus on smoothly gliding between positions while maintaining steady palm muting for that tight, punchy sound. The verse rhythm follows a syncopated pattern that locks perfectly with John Bonham's groundbreaking drum work.

The guitar solo represents one of Jimmy Page's most inventive early recordings. Using a Leslie speaker cabinet (typically used for organs), Page created that distinctive swirling, phase-shifted tone. The solo primarily uses the E minor pentatonic scale (E-G-A-B-D) but incorporates several blues techniques. Pay special attention to the quick hammer-on/pull-off licks between the 12th and 15th frets on the B string, and the dramatic whole-step bends on the G string at the 14th fret. The solo's second half features rapid alternate picking that requires precise right-hand control.

For the rhythm parts, the secret lies in the dynamic contrast between sections. The verses use a tight, muted strumming pattern (down-up-down-up with emphasis on beats 2 and 4), while the choruses open up with full, ringing chords. Notice how Page slightly delays his strums during the verses to create that signature laid-back groove. The bridge section introduces a clever variation with quick chord changes (E-D-C#m-B) that build tension before returning to the main riff.

Advanced players should study the subtle nuances that make this recording special. Page's use of partial chords (often just the root and fifth with occasional added octaves) creates a lean, powerful sound. His muting technique - a combination of left-hand fret muting and right-hand palm muting - gives the rhythm parts their distinctive percussive quality. For authentic tone, use a Telecaster with the tone knob rolled back slightly, a medium-gain overdrive, and a small tube amp set clean with just a touch of natural breakup.

FAQs

Q. What tuning does this song use?

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

Q. Is this song good for beginners?

The power chords are easy, but the slides and strumming take practice.

Q. What guitar effects were used?

Page used a Tone Bender fuzz pedal and Leslie speaker on the solo.

Introduction

This is one of the upbeat acoustic songs that is pretty easy to learn, as it uses simple chords that anyone new to guitar playing can understand with ease. In addition to this, the chord changes are pretty smooth, thus, giving you a lot of relaxation when it comes to playing the guitar and singing your heart out. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song If It's Love as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Progressions, Rhythm and Progression and Song Demo and Conclusion. 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: This song has repeated chord progression and is pretty simple as well. The common arpeggio to use for this song is: 

e|-----------0------------|  

B|------1------1---------|  

G|----0---0------0------|  

D|-------------2--------|  

A|--3------------------|  

E|----------------------| 

Strumming Pattern 

This song follows the most basic 4/4 time; the main strumming pattern that you have to use in this song goes something like this: D D U U D U. 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

Song Structure 

Introduction: To play this song on guitar along with the backing track you have to tune down your guitar to half step and that’s what you will be learning in the introduction from Steve Luciano, your guitar instructor for this lesson. 

Chords and Progressions: Here you will be learning how to play the intro of the song by using just 2 to 3 different notes that Steve is going to show you. 

Rhythm and Progression: In this part, Steve discusses the importance of filling up the drum sections with a dead sound, meaning you have to keep your hand moving. It will help you with your rhythm. 

Song Demo and Conclusion: This is the final part of the lesson, where Steve will show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Why Learn If It's Love By Train Song?

The strumming pattern and chords used in this song are pretty easy to learn, they are great for improving timing and groove of the music. If you are someone who wants to have an acoustic jam session or wants to enjoy solo performances then it is the song for you. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is the Train band still performing and recording new music? 

Ans. Yes, the band is still active and they are performing worldwide in more than 10 countries in 2025 where they have lined-up 25 upcoming shows. 

Q2. Is there any member from the band who split up?

Ans. Pat Monahan is one of the founding members of the band who broke up and went on his way. Apart from him, drummers, guitarists, and even a few other members were also replaced in 2021.

Q3. In which genre of music does the music of Train fall? 

Ans. The music of the train falls under the category of pop rock, rock roots and rock. 

Fun Fact: The song was written on the same day when the hit “Hey, Soul Sister” was written, the song was intended as a way to showcase gratitude to long-time fans. 

Introduction:

I See Fire is a song written and composed for the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The song is played over the closing credits of the movie. After its release, the song was able to climb to the 13th spot in the UK Singles Chart and in New Zealand it was able to reach number 1 in just six weeks of time. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: You will be following basic arpeggios picking for this song, and this is what you need to follow in order to create a simple yet attractive progression: 

e|------0---------0------|  

B|------0---------0------|  

G|----0---0-----0---0----|  

D|-----------2-----------|  

A|--2--------------------|  

E|-----------------------| 

Strumming Pattern:

This one is primarily a fingerpicking song, but in case you wish to play the strumming pattern you can follow this: D D U U D U. 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

Song Structure:

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Luciano, your guitar instructor is going to share why everyone needs to learn this song, and where, and why you should be putting the capo on 

guitar like Ed does. 

Intro Lick and Song Arrangement: In this section, Mike shows you how to play the intro licks for the song and how to use hammer-on and pull-off techniques with your first and third fingers. Along with this, you will learn the entire song arrangement as well. 

Song Demo: This section shows you how to play the song with the backing track played alongside. 

Beginners Version: If you are not able to play with new techniques which you have learned in this guitar lesson you can also try the beginner friendly version of I See Fire by Ed Sheeran which is mentioned in this part. 

Why Learn I See Fire By Ed Sheeran?

I See Fire take the full advantage of acoustic fingerpicking which is something perfect for beginner guitar players to start with. This song will also help you in building dexterity, accuracy, and finger independence as you play. Furthermore, it’s a great introduction to the thumb-bass technique, along with melodic picking. 

FAQs I see fire Guitar Lesson

Q1. What was the reason behind Ed Sheeran's writing I See Fire? 

Ans. It was Peter Jackon, the director of The Hobbit, who asked Ed Sheeran to come up with a song for a kid’s movie. Sheeran saw the movie and started working on the song.

Q2. What other songs are out there which sound similar to I See Fire? 

Ans. There is a huge library of Ed’s songs, which sounds pretty familiar, starting with Eyes Closed, Give Me Love, Happier, Shivers, and Beautiful People. 

Q3. Which song is Ed Sheeran’s biggest hit? 

Ans. Without a doubt it has to be “Perfect,” this particular song topped charts in more than 18 different countries, making him one of the most loved artist all around the globe. 

Fun Fact: The song I See Fire was written, composed, and recorded on the same day. After Ed Sheeran watched the entire film The Hobbit for which the song was officially released on 5th November 2013. He sat down to write the lyrics and his flow made him finish composition and recording of the song in just 24 hours. 

In this video lesson Ashish Noel John teaches how to play the song Stay as part of our Guitar series on English song lessons. The song lesson is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythms, Improvisation, Song Arrangement, and Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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. 

Titli is a beautifully composed romantic song from the hit Bollywood movie Chennai Express starring Deepika Padukone and Shahrukh Khan. This song has intricate classical elements with a touch of modern melodies, offering you as a guitarist a rare chance to explore melodic expression and subtle dynamics. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The verse section can be played with a fingerpicking pattern, which is like this: 

P – I – M – A – M – I  

(Thumb – Index – Middle – Ring – Middle – Index)

Where: 

• P = 5th or 6th string (bass note)
• I = 3rd string
• M = 2nd string
• A = 1st string

Strumming Pattern 

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

This particular pattern can be used throughout the chorus and the bridge section of the song. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, J.J. Pattishall tells you the song is in the key of E minor and shows you the position of the capo on the 3rd fret of the guitar. Finally, he also shows you how to tune up the guitar specifically for the song.  

Song Arrangement - Part 1: This section provides you with information about the chords you need to play with the first verse. 

Song Arrangement - Part 2: In this part of the guitar lesson, you are going to learn about the chords that are present in the second verse of the song. 

Song Demo: Here is the demo of how you should be playing the guitar chords with the backing track playing alongside. 

Overdubs: Now that you learned chords for the main guitar, it’s time to check out the chords for the second guitar, which adds a couple of tunes to the song which makes it more special and harmonious. 

Easy Version: Here is the easy version of the same song for beginners. It’s a good song to practice on guitar for newcomers. As a result, J.J. shows you how you can play the entire song with much easier chords using a capo. 

Backing Track Simple Version: This is the part where J.J. shows you how to keep up your simple version guitar chords with the vocals and other instruments that are part of the song. 

Why Learn the Titli Song From Chennai Express?

Titli is a song for which you have to be gentle with your guitar; it uses flowing melodies that are the base for developing expressive and emotive guitar playing. Both the intro and the verse sections of the song fit perfectly with arpeggios or light fingerpicking, thus helping you strengthen your accuracy and feel. 

Furthermore, the song keeps on transitioning from soft verses to soaring choruses, which makes it possible for you to practice volume control and bring emotional contrast in your guitar play with the implementation of different strumming and picking techniques. 

Game of Thrones Acoustic Version - Introduction

The acoustic version of the Game of Thrones theme song transforms the epic orchestral original into an intimate guitar arrangement. This version keeps the powerful melody while making it accessible for solo guitar players. The song comes from HBO's massively popular fantasy series that aired from 2011 to 2019.

Composer Ramin Djawadi created the iconic theme that became instantly recognizable worldwide. When the series premiered in 2011, the opening theme immediately captured viewers' attention with its distinctive rising string motif. The minor key tonality and driving rhythm perfectly evoke the show's atmosphere of political intrigue and medieval warfare. Many guitarists find this arrangement rewarding to learn as it combines technical challenge with immediate musical satisfaction.

Game of Thrones Acoustic Version Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down the acoustic arrangement of the Game of Thrones theme. The song uses a capo on the 3rd fret and is played in the key of D minor. The main theme follows a repeating pattern of Dm, F, C, and Bb chords. These chords create the dark, medieval atmosphere of the original composition.

The right hand technique is crucial for this piece. Use a steady alternating bass pattern with your thumb while playing the melody notes with your fingers. The bass notes should land on beats 1 and 3, with the melody filling in the spaces between. This creates the driving rhythm that makes the theme so powerful.

For the melody sections, focus on clean fingerpicking with good articulation. The theme uses mostly notes from the D natural minor scale. Pay special attention to the syncopated rhythms that give the melody its distinctive character. The B section introduces some chromatic movement that adds tension before resolving back to the main theme.

Beginners should start by mastering the chord shapes and bass pattern slowly. The chord changes need to be smooth and precise. Intermediate players can work on bringing out the melody clearly while maintaining the bass rhythm. The piece sounds best when played with strong dynamics - louder in the dramatic sections and softer in the transitional passages.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is the Game of Thrones Acoustic Version tune in?

The tune is in standard tuning with the capo on 3rd fret.

Q. Can I play this without a capo?

Yes, but you'll need to transpose the chords which will make the tune sound more warm than bright.

Q. Is this suitable for beginners?

The basic version is accessible, but playing melody and bass together requires practice.

Q. What tempo should I play at?

Start slow (around 80 bpm) and gradually work up to the original tempo of 110 bpm.

Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On

For any Indian musician who aspires to be a guitarist, we are sure you must have watched Rock On at least once in your lifetime. Rock On!! is a killer movie that has some of the best rock songs that Bollywood was able to produce.

Fun Fact: The lyrics of the song are more than just poetic; they also symbolize the journey of the band, which is the main plot of the movie. The guitar solo present in the song was improvised live during the recording of the song in the studio, and composers thought about keeping it for the final take.

Song Structure 

Introduction: For this guitar lesson, you will be learning from Mike Walker; in this part of the lesson, he is going to show you how to tune your guitar in order to play this song.

Intro Riff: The intro riff of the song is a 24-bar long guitar tune, which is broken down into 4 bars in order to make it easier for you to learn the tune. 

Keyboard Intro: This is an additional part of the guitar, this particular tune is more of a synth tune, but Mike, your guitar instructor for this lesson, has shown how you can play the same tune on your guitar as well. 

Verse, Chorus, and Interlude: This section of the song is pretty similar to the intro riff, here you will be using the same chord progression for playing verse and chorus. 

Bridge: In this part of the lesson, you will learn about all the four different bridges that are part of the song. 

With Backing Track: Now here, Mike is going to show you how to play the entire song in sync with the backing track. 

Solo 1: Here, you will be learning how to play the main solo of the song; again, the solo uses the same chords that you learned in the intro riff and in the verse and chorus section. 

Outro Solo: The outro solo of the song is something you might not be able to hear if you are not listening to the song very closely. 

Improvisation: In this section you will learn some more tips and tricks that you can use to play this song.

Why Learn Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On?

Sinbad the Sailor has a touch of Indian classical tone in addition to the progressive rock energy which is something hard to find. If you are learning new forms of music, this particular song allows you to expand your musical horizon and find out how Indian melodies are able to merge with Western rock music. 

FAQs – Sinbad the Sailor (Concert Version) From Rock On Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who were the lead singers of Sinbad the Sailor? 

Ans. There were two lead singers in this song; the first one is Farhan Akhtar, who also acted in the movie as one of the band members. Other than him, the second singer was Raman Mahadevan, son of Shankar Mahadevan, who composed the album for the movie. 

Q2. Who composed the song? 

Ans. The composer for the song was Shankar-Eshaan-Loy; the trio is known for blending rock with Indian sounds. 

Q3. What makes this particular song so special in the film? 

Ans. This is the song that helps audiences who are watching the film to identify the band, the song is being performed in a key moment when the band is trying to connect with their original energy.