Intro Piece
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.
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.
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction:
Torrins brings you another country sing-and-play lesson "You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere", recorded by The Byrds and originally written by Bob Dylan. Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson makes it easy for anyone to learn, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your rhythm and strumming technique.
Fun Fact: Bob Dylan wrote You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere in 1967 during his self-imposed exile following a motorcycle accident. The Byrds later popularized the song with their signature country-rock sound.
Chords & Song Structure
This song is played in the key of G and follows a simple country chord progression, making it a very easy song to learn and play for players of all skill levels.
Chords Used - G, Am, and others. Mike walks through the finger placements and transitions, ensuring you get a smooth chord change.
The lesson also covers chord distribution across measures, making it easy to follow along and learn.
Strumming Pattern & Rhythm
The song has two strumming approaches:
- Beginner-Friendly Strumming – Simple downstrums that keep the rhythm steady and easy to sing along with.
- Advanced Strumming – For players looking to add more depth, Mike introduces a DDUDD pattern, explaining where to add accents for a more dynamic sound.
The lesson also includes tips on rhythm timing to attain the song’s natural flow.
Sing & Play
One of the biggest challenges for many players is singing while playing. Mike breaks down the coordination between vocals and guitar, showing:
- Which words align with downstrums
- Where to pause or hold a chord
- How to gradually add complexity to your strumming without losing the vocal flow
If you want to be the life of the party, this lesson will help you sing and play smoothly, even if you’ve never done it before. So, get your guitar ready and start strumming along to this timeless country classic today.
Final Playthrough – Bringing It All Together
Mike plays through the entire song twice—once with the beginner strumming pattern and then with the advanced version. The song has a retarded (slowed-down) ending, which he explains in the end.
He also advises starting with simple strumming, building confidence, and then progressing to advanced strumming techniques.
Why Learn You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere?
Perfect for beginners – The song has easy chords, simple structure, and a laid-back strumming pattern.
Great for sing-alongs – It will help you learn how to balance vocals and guitar.
Ideal for country and folk lovers – The song has a classic country rhythm and storytelling approach to the lyrics.
FAQs – You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere Guitar Lesson
Q1: Is this lesson beginner-friendly?
Yes! This lesson is one of the easiest sing-and-play songs to learn on Torrins.com.
Q2: What if I struggle with advanced strumming?
Stick with the basic downstrums first. Once you're comfortable, move on to the DDUDD pattern with accents.
Introduction
Tune into a classic Pink Floyd guitar lesson on Wish You Were Here at Torrins.com, led by our experienced tutor, Mike Dugan. He breaks down the lesson into various sections: Introduction, Intro Chords & Rhythm, Intro Lead, Verse & Chorus Lesson, Solo Improvisation, Arrangement & Playing with Backing Track.
Interesting Fact: In the song's intro, you can hear David Gilmour coughing and breathing heavily before the guitar kicks in. Rumour had it that Gilmour’s smoking habit caused the cough, and that he quit smoking afterwards out of frustration with the recording. But Gilmour later clarified he never smoked!
Mike plays the song using various open chords, including Em, Em7, G, A, and Am. Tune into the complete lesson to learn the rest of the chords that make up this song. This song is a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players.
Chords Used in "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson
This song is played using simple open chords, making it accessible for both beginners and intermediate players. For intermediate players, Mike introduces some alternate chord voicings to stay true to the song’s original sound while adding a unique touch.
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern is beginner-friendly with consistent downstrums. For those wanting to level up, Mike shares an advanced rhythm that incorporates upstrums for a more dynamic feel.
Song Structure
"Wish You Were Here" follows a clear and structured arrangement:
- Intro: Lead + rhythm section (Mike provides a simpler alternative for beginners)
- Lead Riffs: Based on the E minor pentatonic scale and its extensions, featuring double stops and hammer-ons.
- Verse 1: Smooth chord transitions; beginners can use downstrums, while advanced players can follow the more complex rhythm.
- Solo: You can either repeat the intro solo or follow Mike’s improvisation using the E minor pentatonic scale.
- Verse 2: Similar to Verse 1, with consistent strumming and clean transitions.
- Final Solo: A concluding solo based on the intro lead and E minor pentatonic improvisation.
Improvisation Techniques
Mike teaches how to improvise using the E minor pentatonic scale. He also adds his own flair by playing it on the 12th fret in true David Gilmour style.
Singing Along
Mike also walks you through the singing component, helping you match the chord changes with the lyrics.
Pro Tip: Make use of tabs and lyrics for smoother learning.
Why Learn "Wish You Were Here"?
This lesson helps you improve your chord transitions and develop a smooth, expressive playing style. It's a great piece to master for solo and sing-along sessions. Plus, learning David Gilmour’s style will sharpen your improvisation skills.
Tips to Improve:
- Focus on clean chord transitions.
- Keep your strumming hand relaxed to maintain a steady rhythm.
FAQs – "Wish You Were Here" Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
Yes! The chords are straightforward, and Mike provides a simplified version of the intro for beginners.
Q2. Can I just strum the song instead of fingerpicking?
Yes! You can simplify the song with consistent downstrums or follow the more advanced strumming pattern Mike shares.
Similar Metal Songs
Introduction:
Torrins brings you another electrifying guitar lesson "Crystal Mountain by Death", taught by none other than Bobby Koelble, one of the original guitarists on the track. This lesson breaks down the intricate riffs, solos, and powerful progressions that make this song a metal masterpiece.
Fun Fact: Crystal Mountain was inspired by Chuck Schuldiner’s real-life experiences with his not-so-friendly next-door neighbour. Their unpleasant interactions fueled the aggression and emotion behind this legendary track!
Tuning & Gear
- Tuning: Standard tuning down a whole step.
- Use the provided tabs for a more comprehensive learning experience.
Song Breakdown
This lesson is structured into multiple sections to make learning seamless:
- Introduction
- Intro Riff
- Verse
- Chorus
- Bridge
- Solo-Tapping Section
- Main Solo
- Acoustic Solo
- Song Demo (Chuck’s Part)
- Song Demo (Bobby’s Part)
- Full Song Demo (Combining All Parts)
Chords & Riffs in Crystal Mountain
Intro Riff
- The first 8 bars feature power chords like E, Bb, and F, with vibrato. Tune in to the lesson to learn the rest of the chords.
- The second half of the intro is harmonised down a perfect 5th.
- Scale: E Harmonic Minor.
Verse
- The Am chord is played with a variation in arpeggio.
- Includes F power chords and some single notes, along with other chords.
- Heavy distortion is used to achieve that signature Death sound.
Chorus
- Chorus features single notes and an active midsection involving the open 5th string.
- Chuck Schuldiner added an intricate melody over the chorus section. Bobby walks you through this in detail.
Bridge
- It begins with power chords in the rhythm track.
- It is layered with harmonised single-note phrases on top
Solo Sections
Tapping Solo
- This solo features harmonised tapping licks at the 12th fret.
Main Solo
- Chuck’s solo—short but iconic.
- It is in the key of G# minor.
- Uses triplets and expressive vibrato.
Acoustic Solo
- An acoustic solo is a rare touch in a Death song! Bobby demonstrates 4 simple acoustic licks to round off the song.
Final Song Demo
After breaking down every section, Bobby dedicates three lessons to the song demo:
- Chuck’s part
- His own part
- The full song, combining all elements
Why Learn Crystal Mountain?
- Learning this song will help you master intricate picking techniques.
- It will also help you understand harmonised riffs and solos.
- It will expand your knowledge of scales and metal phrasing.
FAQs – Crystal Mountain Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this lesson suitable for beginners?
A: This lesson is best suited for intermediate to advanced players because of its complex chords and solos.
Q2. What is the most challenging part of the song?
A: The solo-tapping section and harmonised melodies require precise technique and practice.
Q3. Can I play this without tuning down?
A: Yes, you can, but tuning down a whole step helps achieve the authentic Death sound.
If You Like Iron Maiden, You'll Love These
Introduction
Tune into a guitar lesson on the classic heavy metal song "The Trooper" brought to you by Torrins, led by our expert instructor, Bobby Koeble. This song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden was released in 1983, and a live version of the song was issued in 2005.
Fun Fact: "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden was inspired by the famous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War in 1854. The song’s lyrics are based on Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s poem of the same name, which describes the bravery and tragic loss of British cavalry who were misled into a deadly Russian artillery ambush. The intense galloping rhythm of the song reflects the chaos and urgency of the battlefield charge.
Bobby breaks down this classic song lesson into the following parts to ensure a smooth learning experience for learners:
Introduction
Intro Riff
Main Riff & Verse
Chorus & Song Arrangement
Solo 1- Part 1 & 2
Rhythm for Solos
Solo 2
Solo 2 using Whammy Bars
Discussion & Conclusion
Trooper with Backing Track
Chords Used in The Trooper Guitar Lesson
- Most of the song is in the key of E or E minor with a 4/4 time signature. Bobby plays the song in standard tuning.
- The chorus uses a D chord followed by a low E power chord.
- The solos are in the key of A minor and use chords like G, and F, along with others.
- There are harmony parts in the intro and main riffs, with techniques like pull-offs and whammy bar used in the solos.
Strumming Pattern
- The song follows a fast-paced, galloping rhythm—a signature Iron Maiden style.
- Bobby breaks down the strumming pattern and offers options for handling the harmony in the intro.
- Beginners can start with a simple downstroke rhythm, while more advanced players can work on refining the galloping feel.
Song Structure
The song unfolds with a clear and consistent progression that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. It kicks off with a high-energy intro riff, a fast-paced harmony section that repeats four times to set the tone. This leads into the main riff and verse, where the finger placements and note sequences are broken down for easy understanding.
From there, the momentum builds into the chorus, which delivers a bold shift in rhythm and mood. After returning briefly to the main harmony riff, the song moves into the second verse, introducing a slight rhythmic variation with a galloping feel that adds fresh texture.
The next pass through the chorus sets the stage for not just one, but two solo sections, each packed with expressive phrasing and technique. After the solos, the main harmony riff reappears, anchoring the listener before launching into the third and final verse. Finally, the track winds down with an outro that circles back to the familiar intensity of the intro, bringing the piece full circle with a satisfying sense of closure.
Improvisation Techniques
- The solos are played in A minor.
- Solo 2 includes whammy bar technique for added depth and expression.
Bobby ends the lesson by playing along with a backing track—a great way to practice and refine your playing.
FAQs – The Trooper Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song suitable for beginners?
It’s more suited for intermediate players due to the fast-paced rhythm and advanced solo work.
Q2. What’s the key challenge in this song?
The galloping rhythm and smooth chord transitions require precision and practice.
Q3. Do I need a special tuning?
No, the song is played in standard tuning.
