Introduction:

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Home as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning. Home is the coronation song and a debut single from the winner of American Idol season 11, Phill Phillips. The song was co-written by Drew Pearson and Greg Holden. Phill performed this song for the first time on May 12th, 2012, when he was giving the season's final performance. 

Song Structure:

Introduction: The introduction consists of tuning requirements for the guitar and the basics of what you need to play this song. 

Song Arrangement: This part helps you learn about the intro section. Also, Mike shows you two different picking patterns that you can use for this song and how to move back and forth between the two patterns. 

Song Demo: In this section Mike your guitar instructor is going to teach you how to play the guitar parts of the song alongside backing tracks. 

Vocal Melody: This is the final section of this guitar lesson, and it's the added bonus where Mike teaches you how to play the vocal melody which is present in the song. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson: The entire song is written in the key of C major with a bright tempo.

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

Hello is a song by Lionel Richie, an American singer and songwriter. It was the third single from his second studio album, Can’t Slow Down, which was released in 1983. This song had a total of three guitarists: Darrell Jones, Tim Ray, and Louis Shelton, who played electric and acoustic guitar, respectively. 

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

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming patterns are: D D U U D U. 

Song Structure 

Here is the song structure which you need to follow to learn Hello by Lionel Richie:

Introduction: This is the start of the lesson, during which Steve Luciano, your instructor, will explain all the technicalities you will encounter during the learning stage of this song. 

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn all the chords necessary to play this song. 

Song Demo: In this section, Steve will play the guitar part of the song alongside the track to help you understand how to sync chords with the vocals. 

Advanced Voicing: For individuals who can play advanced chords, this particular section is for them. It is the bonus of the lesson to make your guitar play more intricately.

Solo Lesson: In this section, you'll learn how to play the slow part of the song — a beautiful example of an instrumental pop solo, the kind that's rarely highlighted in mainstream pop music.

Money Talks by AC/DC is a powerful hard rock track that captures the band’s signature blend of blues-inspired riffs, tight rhythm guitar, and raw energy. Released in 1990, the song is a great choice for guitarists looking to explore Angus Young’s straightforward yet impactful playing style.

This guitar lesson by Mike Walker captures the true essence of AC/DC’s signature raw energy, while making sure that it is accessible for every guitarist, no matter where they are in their guitar learning journey. It’s a great lesson for individuals who are looking to learn the iconic Angus Young’s straightforward yet effective riffing style. 

For intermediate guitar players, this is a perfect entry point for learning AC/DC’s catalog, and advanced players can truly mimic and appreciate the subtle nuances of groove and tone that made AC/DC so famous. 

Why Learn Money Talks By AC/DC Song On Guitar?

This song lesson is broken down into core components, starting with the opening riff, the verse groove, the driving chorus and finally the hooky transition that helps you in framing Angus Young’s rhythm style. Mike emphasises the tight right-hand work and staccato attack performed by Angus Young for this song. 

The way Mike explained the working of guitar riff, chord progression and other crucial aspects of guitar playing for this song makes the lesson easy to follow, thus ensuring every viewer grasps not just what chords they need to play but how each chord should sound to match the blues-rooted rock context that AC/DC followed for this song. 

It’s a highly approachable song for intermediate guitar players, for beginners who haven’t touched the catalog of rock songs. This might be a difficult place to begin with, as the song requires timing nuances while keeping the consistent energy. 

FAQs – Money Talks By AC/DC Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. In which key is the song Money Talks by AC/DC present? 

Ans. The song is present in the key of G major, and to practice this song, you need to use standard tuning (E A D G B E). 

Q2. Which of the guitar techniques do I need to master for the song Money Talks by AC/DC? 

Ans. Both power chords and open chords are the backbone for producing the rhythm, palm muting, syncopated strumming, hammer-ons, slides and double stops for a blues-rock feel. 

Q3. Is the song Money Talks by AC/DC difficult to learn?

Ans. This guitar song is geared towards intermediate guitar players; beginners can play the chords that are part of this song, but they have to practice a lot in order to match the required timing and staccato groove. 

Q4. What are some of the main practice tips for the guitar song lesson Money Talks by AC/DC? 

Ans. Make sure you focus on tight strumming and master staccato energy while keeping the rhythm accurate. 

Don’t run through the basics; start slow, internalise groove and transitions before working on the tempo. 

Listen to the song as you practice it to find the variations and slight differences in different timings. 

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

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

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

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

e|---------------------|  

B|---------------------|  

G|----7----5----4-----|  

D|---5----4----3------|  

A|--3----2----1-------|  

E|---------------------| 

Strumming Pattern:

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

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

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

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

Song Structure:

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

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

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

Why should you learn 1000 Eyes By Death Song?

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

FAQs for 1000 Eyes by death Guitar Lesson

Q1. What happened to the Death band? 

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

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

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

Unforgiven left a mark in the history of the rock and metal genre. This song was released by Metallica in 1991, and it is part of their self-titled album; the other name of the album is Black Album. This particular track marks a significant moment in revolutionising the sound of the band, and apart from this, it also changed the entire landscape of metal music. 

The reason Unforgiven became so iconic and one of the best songs ever written in the metal genre is that, with this song, Metallica showcased that they have moved from their thrash roots and are now moving towards creating more melodic and introspective style music while still maintaining their signature heavy sound. 

Furthermore, the verse sections are built on haunting, clean guitar arpeggios, which are then layered with James Hetfield’s raw and reflective vocals. Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo present in this song deserves all the praise in the world; it's dripping with emotions and elevates the sombre tone of the song without derailing the intimacy. 

Why Learn Unforgiven By Metallica Song On Guitar?

The haunting intro requires you to use clean, arpeggiated chords, which also helps you develop precision, timing and smooth chord transitions, which is something essential for both acoustic and electric guitar playing. 

It’s a song that flips the classic metal structure; in the beginning, it is soft and melodic and then the chorus kick-in and the entire sound gets distorted and heavy. As you practice playing this song on guitar, you will understand how to transition from gentle playing to powerful riffing in no time, and that too with confidence. 

The chorus introduces you to beginner-friendly power chords in addition to palm muting, which is considered to be the main building block for anyone who wishes to master rock and metal rhythm on their guitar. 

In this guitar lesson, you are going to learn melodic solos and emotive phrasing; these two complex techniques make you move beyond mechanical playing. It helps you inject feelings and storytelling in your guitar solos, which is a mark of a mature guitarist. 

FAQs-Unforgiven By Metallica Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Which tuning should I be using for learning the song Unforgiven by Metallica on guitar?

Ans. You should practice playing Unforgiven by Metallica in standard tuning (E A D G B e); this will help you get clean, arpeggiated and even distorted parts perfectly. 

Q2. What key is the song Unforgiven by Metallica present in? 

Ans. You can practice this song in the key of A minor; this particular key choice will give the song its dark and brooding voice, which also compliments its introspective mood, making it a perfect song to exercise mastering dynamics and tone control.

Bite The Pain is a challenging song to learn on guitar; it’s a song that has the potential to take you deep into the technical aspects of death metal and progressive extreme music. 

In addition to this, it is one of the standout songs from Death’s final studio album, and it has pretty complex riff structures, blistering speed strumming, along intricate solos. As a result, its guitar song lesson is for those individuals who want to learn complex and advanced guitar techniques. 

Chuck Schuldiner intentionally blended some raw aggression in this song to add melodic complexity to it. This made the guitar part of the song push the boundaries and make listeners question what death metal could sound like. 

Song Structure 

In this song lesson, you will be assisted by Bobby Koelble, he is your guitar instructor, and he’s going to break this complicated metal song into different sub-parts like the intro piece, chorus, verses, pre-solo, Shannon’s solo, Chuk’s solo and separate song demos from both lead electric guitarist.

In this lesson, Bobby has dissected the aggressive parts for an easier explanation; you get to know about the alternate picking and complex time signature shifts. Furthermore, this particular song lesson is there to help you out with the song’s syncopation, understanding tempo shifts, and finding how to recognize unpredictable transitions, which is pretty vital if you are playing something this tight and technical in metal music. 

In this guitar lesson, you will be using the entire fretboard, as it includes both heavy and low-end riffs and even higher-register melodies. This will allow you to remember the fretboard, and it becomes easier for you to navigate through it. 

Why Bite the Pain By Death On Guitar?

Bite The Pain isn’t your everyday rock or metal song, which has few simple open chords along with average strumming speed. It’s a song that only hardcore metal fans know about, and it takes a massive upskilling in terms of guitar techniques to master this song on guitar. 

Bite the Pain is both challenging and rewarding; it is a pinnacle of technical death metal that blends high speed, complexity, and melody that only a few songs are able to achieve to this day. 

With this song lesson, you will be developing both left and right-hand speed without sacrificing clarity. Also, you need to know that this isn’t your typical verse-chorus song. It has a progressive arrangement, which can be a little tricky at first, but with time, it helps you to navigate through non-linear song structures with ease. 

To play this song on the guitar, you require relentless stamina; it’s a song that is both physically and mentally challenging; after this song, you are surely prepared to perform demanding metal riffs while taking minimum breaks. 

Overactive imagination is considered to be the high-water mark for experiencing what a true death metal song is. The song serves as both a showcase and a crucible for advanced guitar players. 

The main reason this song works is its remarkable chord progression, written by lead guitarist Chuck Schuldiner and Andy LaRocque. 

They were able to make sure that the sound had a blend of dissonant, progressive riffing with precision and speed, along with the required complexity that made the song a standard for everyone who wished to have metal guitar virtuosity. 

Tips To Learn Overactive Imagination By Death On Guitar

Here are some crucial tips that can help you walk through this lesson without losing your sanity: 

Tune Your Guitar Down a Whole Step: The original recording is tuned a full step down (DGCFAD), so if you are playing it on standard tuning, you won’t match the pitch or even feel what is present in the studio track.

Start Slowly, Practice Riffs First: Break down each riff and section into small phrases. If you are having problems matching up with the timing, then you should use a metronome and practice the song at a much lower speed, and then gradually increase the tempo once you are comfortable with the chord shapes and their progression. 

Master Palm Muting & String Muting: When you practice this song, it would be best to use the side of your picking hand to mute strings during power chord sections and be sure to mute strings that you are not playing to get a clear sound. “Overactive Imagination” uses wide-ranging riffs, which makes muting essential to keep the noise bleed in check. 

Why Learn Overactive Imagination By Death Song On Guitar?

The opening riff of the song can only be played if you have practiced alternate picking and palm muting techniques. In addition to this, to play the opening chords of “Overactive Imagination”, you have to be immaculate in timing, and there has to be agility in your picking hand. 

Furthermore, from this guitar lesson, you will also learn shifting time signatures and relentless tempo changes that you will master by understanding how deep internalization of rhythm and fretboard geography works. 

In this song, you will find two guitar leads, and they are more prominent in the solo that features harmonized lines, intricate legato runs, and wild bends, all of which you will learn how to execute with blistering speed and with accuracy. 

Schuldiner’s songwriting pushes both the guitar player and the listener far away from conventional boundaries. Both the riffs and solos are laced with progressive elements that could be challenging even for seasoned guitarists. 

Introduction:

The Philosopher song was originally written by Monty Python and composed by Eric Idle. The Florida-based death metal band Death covered the song in their fifth studio album, Individual Thought Patterns, which was released in 1993. 

The Philosopher has been described as one of the more accessible cuts from Death’s later music catalog, and for some fans, it is their biggest hit to this day. 

In this video lesson Bobby Koelble teaches how to play the song The Philosopher as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Intro Tapping Piece, Verse, Prechorus, and Chorus, Solo Rhythm and Post Solo Rhythm Sections, Main Solo, Ending Solo Improv and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Song Structure:

Introduction: This is going to be the introduction to the song, the band, and the tune that you will be learning in this guitar lesson. Bobby describes this guitar song as pretty straightforward and not that technical to begin with. 

Intro Tapping Piece: The intro of the song starts with a two-hand tapping part, along with other undertone notes, all of which you will learn in this part.

Verse, Pre-chorus, and Chorus: Here, you will learn how to play the famous guitar riff that makes the song memorable. 

Solo Rhythm and Post Solo Rhythm Sections: This section explains how to play the riffs below Chuck’s solo. 

Main Solo: Here is the main solo of the song, which is in the key of A minor. Bobby will also help you get accustomed to that one lick, which moves pretty fast. 

Ending Solo Improv: This part of the guitar lesson builds your confidence in how you should improvise at the end of Chuck's solo and adds bits of your tunes as well. 

Song Demo: This is the final part. Here, your guitar instructor will play the entire guitar section of the song alongside the backing track.