Song Demo

Aces High - Introduction

Aces High" is the eleventh single by legendary British heavy metal band Iron Maiden, written by bassist Steve Harris for their 1984 album Powerslave. The song's lyrics vividly depict a British RAF pilot's experience during the Battle of Britain (1940), with the band's mascot Eddie appearing as a Spitfire pilot on the single artwork. The track has become one of Iron Maiden's most iconic songs, featured in numerous video games and extreme sports films.

The song's B-side contains a cover medley of Nektar's "Crying in the Dark" and "King of Twilight" from their 1972 album. The music video, filmed during the World Slavery Tour in Poland, incorporates authentic Battle of Britain newsreel footage. This powerful imagery became a staple of Iron Maiden's live shows, often paired with Winston Churchill's famous wartime speeches as an introduction.

Aces High Guitar Lesson

This lesson with Mike Walker teaches you how to play "Aces High" properly. The song keeps changing keys - it starts in C, then goes to A, then G, then back to C. This makes the song exciting but tricky to play. When the key changes, the mood of the song changes too, just like how a dogfight has calm moments and crazy moments.

The main riff uses something called harmonised guitars - that means two guitars play the same tune but at different pitches, making a cool twin sound. The rhythm is called "galloping" because it goes fast like a horse (down-down-up, down-down-up). You need to palm mute the strings near the bridge to get that tight, machine-gun sound Iron Maiden is famous for.

The solos use a special scale that sounds Middle Eastern. It's basically the minor scale but with the second note lowered (so in E minor, you play F natural instead of F#). This makes the solo sound tense and dramatic, which goes well for a war song. The fast parts need alternate picking - down-up-down-up - to play cleanly at high speed.

For beginners, start by learning just the power chords (C5, A5, G5) and the galloping rhythm slowly. The chords are simple, but switching between them fast is hard. Advanced players should work on the twin guitar harmonies and the quick key changes. The song is tough, but satisfying to play once you get it right, like most metal songs.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used in Aces High?

The original recording uses Eb tuning (all strings tuned half-step down) but can be played in standard tuning.

Q. How to play the galloping rhythm?

Use alternate picking with emphasis on the downstrokes: Down-Down-Up pattern repeated.

Q. Is this song suitable for beginners?

The simplified power chord version is accessible, but the full arrangement requires intermediate skills.

Introduction

Voices of the Soul is the song from the seventh and final studio album of the Florida-based death metal band called “Death.” This particular song has an eerie spectre, and it is one of the most experimental and expansive songs from Death, with impressive songwriting. 

Chords Used in Wake Me Up When September Ends

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Open chords. The song is played in the key of G, and there is no need for a capo. 

Chorus Variation: The chorus of the song is pretty short, and the guitar chords used in it are similar to those of the verse. 

Strumming Pattern 

The entirety of the song follows the same strumming pattern: Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up. (DUDUDU)

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this section, J.J. Pattishall will show you the key in which the song is to be played. 

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn how and why the guitar instructor has broken down this song into several different parts. This particular section will show you how to play the guitar parts of the intro, verse, chorus, and bridge. 

Rhythm: Here, you will learn the open chords used to provide backing rhythm to the verse and chorus of the song. 

Song Demo: Right here, after showing you how to play all the different chords for this song, J.J. Pattishall will show you how to play the guitar alongside the song. 

Solo Lesson: This is the last part, where you learn how to play the epic solo from the song.

Holy Diver - Introduction

Holy Diver is one of the most iconic heavy metal songs ever recorded, serving as the title track of Dio’s debut album in 1983. Written by the legendary Ronnie James Dio after his stints with Rainbow and Black Sabbath, the song showcases his signature lyrical style—filled with medieval imagery, heroic themes, and battles between good and evil. The lyrics tell the story of a mysterious, divine warrior, often interpreted as a metaphor for spiritual struggle and redemption. Dio’s powerful, operatic vocals and Vivian Campbell’s crushing guitar riffs made the track an instant classic.

The music video, though dated by today’s standards, became legendary for its fantasy aesthetic, featuring Dio as a sword-wielding hero battling demons. The song’s mid-tempo groove, anthemic chorus, and unforgettable riff solidified its place in metal history. Over the years, "Holy Diver" has been covered by bands like Killswitch Engage and referenced in pop culture, proving its lasting influence. Ronnie James Dio’s performance on this track remains one of the greatest in metal, blending raw power with theatrical flair.

Holy Diver Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson dives deep into playing "Holy Diver" in dropped C tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D), which gives the song its thick, heavy sound. The main riff, played by Vivian Campbell, is built around power chords (C5, G5, A♭5) and uses palm muting to create a tight, aggressive groove. The tuning allows for easy sliding between chords while maintaining a massive low-end presence.

The verse follows a C5 - G5 - A♭5 progression, with the riff emphasizing the open C string for a chugging effect. The chorus shifts to a C5 - G5 - F5 pattern, adding a melodic lift before returning to the main riff. The solo section is where Campbell’s playing shines—using the C minor pentatonic scale (C-E♭-F-G-B♭) with fast alternate picking and wide bends for dramatic flair. The harmonic minor scale (C-D-E♭-F-G-A♭-B) also appears in the solo, giving it a darker, classical edge.

For the rhythm parts, focus on tight palm muting and consistent downstrokes to match the song’s driving feel. The pre-chorus introduces a syncopated riff that requires precise timing—practice it slowly with a metronome before speeding up. The bridge features harmonized leads, where two guitars play complementary melodies, a technique Dio borrowed from his Rainbow days.

Beginners should start by mastering the main riff and power chords in dropped C tuning. Intermediate players can work on the syncopated rhythms and solo licks, paying attention to vibrato and bends. Advanced players should study the harmonic minor passages and experiment with adding their own fills.

FAQs

Q. How do I tune my guitar to dropped C for this song?

Lower your sixth string from E to C, fifth from A to G, and leave the rest in standard tuning (C-G-C-F-A-D).

Q. What scales does Vivian Campbell use in the solo sections?

Primarily C minor pentatonic (C-E♭-F-G-B♭) with touches of C harmonic minor (C-D-E♭-F-G-A♭-B) for a classical metal feel.

Introduction

Limp Bizkit recorded the song “Take a Look Around” in the year 2000. It was their first single and tenth track of the album called Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. 

This particular song ranked as number six and number four by Louder Sound and Kerrang, respectively, as Limp Bizkit's greatest songs of all time. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Take a Look Around (MI Theme) 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 is in the key of A, and the tempo of the song is 100 bpm. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction, Mike Walker, your guitar instructor, is going to show you the tuning settings for the song. You will also get to know how to play this song in one and a half steps down. 

Song Arrangement: Here you will learn about the four bar space that comes in the intro and the second verse, which is something you get to hear a lot in Mission Impossible movies in the background. 

Song Demo: This is the final section of the guitar lesson, here you will get to see how to play the guitar chords alongside the song. 

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Bin Tere as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Progressions, Rhythm, With Backing Track, Solo Lesson and Conclusion. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Banda is one of the most popular songs by Bilal Khan, who is a Pakistani singer-songwriter. The lyrics for the song take you on an introspective ride, which has an acoustic-driven sound to it. Bilal released this song during the early years of his career, and this particular composition quickly gained a cult following among the indie music scene in South Asian countries. 

Song Structure:

Introduction: The introduction to this guitar song lesson is from Mike Walker, who is also going to be your guitar instructor for this lesson. In this introduction, he shows you how to tune up your guitar to play this song. 

Song Arrangement: In this part of the guitar lesson, Mike first shows you all the different chords you need to learn for this song, and then he shows you the rhythm that you have to follow. 

Song Demo: Now that you know all the chords, rhythms, and where you have to use them, it is time for you to see how to play the song with the backing track. 

Overdubs: This is the overdubs section, which is divided into three parts. Mike starts with the licks, which begin at the start of the song, and from there he moves forward to the next parts. 

Improvisation: When playing this song, you can use a number of improvisation techniques 

that are present in this part of the guitar lesson, or you can create your own depending on how much depth you want to add to the song. 

Why Learn This Banda By Bilal Khan?

If you are someone who loves and appreciates heartfelt songwriting and acoustic-driven music, then Banda is a perfect song for you to learn on guitar; it’s a song that helps you to become more expressive in your live performances. The song uses stripped-down arrangements, making it easier for you to focus on rhythm, dynamics, and clean transitions, which are particularly necessary for acoustic guitar playing. In addition to this, you can play it with gentle strumming or fingerpicking, which is one of the rare songs that goes well with both styles of playing, making it a versatile song for different types of musicians. 

FAQs – Banda By Bilal Khan Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the tempo of the song Banda by Bilal Khan? 

Ans. The song follows a moderate tempo, which makes the song emotional, reflective, and ideal for acoustic sessions or even for solo performances where you can sing as well as play the guitar. 

Q2. Can I use the fingerpicking technique to play Banda by Bilal Khan? 

Ans. It is not necessary to use fingerpicking technique but if you wish to you can use it in the intro and in the verse sections of the song, the simple arpeggio pattern which you should follow would be something like this P–I–M–A, this will make your sound more intimate and gives it an unplugged feel. 

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that carries both emotional weight and spiritual depth Bulleya by Papon from the 2016 Bollywood film Sultan. Composed by the iconic duo Vishal-Shekhar with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, the song has a deep Sufi influence that speaks about longing, surrender, and redemption. Sung soulfully by Papon, the track marks a moment of emotional transformation in the film. It plays when the main character, Sultan, is trying to make peace with his past and win back the love of his life.

The song borrows its name and spirit from the famous Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. One of the standout lines in the song, “Tu bole toh ban jau main Bulleh Shah saudayi” (If you say so, I shall become Bulleh Shah’s devotee), ties the narrative to the idea of surrendering one’s ego in the face of love and higher truth. Over the years, this track has remained close to the hearts of listeners not just for its melody, but for the way it captures what it feels like to yearn, for love, for peace, and for redemption.

Bulleya Guitar Lesson

The lesson on Bulleya is taught by our expert Steve Luciano, who walks through all parts of the song with great detail and clarity. The song is in the key of A major and moves between some very expressive chords that bring out the emotional flavor of the track. You’ll encounter chords like A/E, C# minor, B major, Emaj7, Emaj9#4, and C#m7 and while they might sound complicated, Steve breaks them down in a way that even early intermediate players can grasp. One chord that stands out is Emaj9#4, which adds a haunting character to the progression. It's a variation of the regular major chord but with extra notes that add color the #4 gives it a dreamlike sound.

The track also uses what’s called a slash chord like E/G# - which simply means you're playing an E major chord but starting the bass note from G#. This kind of movement helps the progression feel more connected and smooth, especially when moving between sections of the song. Steve explains how to position your fingers for these chords and offers alternate voicings if you find the originals too challenging. 

One of the unique aspects of this lesson is how Steve connects the emotional flow of the song to the playing technique. It’s not just about hitting the right chords it’s about how you play them. The strumming is soft and steady, with emphasis on dynamics to match the emotional rise and fall of the lyrics. The lesson ends with a complete demonstration of the song, making it easy for you to follow along, section by section, until you can play it smoothly from start to finish.   

FAQs

Q. What level of guitarist is Bulleya suited for?

1. Bulleya is best suited for early intermediate players. If you’re familiar with barre chords and can handle a few extended voicings, you’ll enjoy learning this track.

Q. What tuning is used in this version of Bulleya?

1. The song is played in standard tuning — E A D G B E. No capo is needed.