Introduction

Absinthe Party is the most well-known song from Minus the Bear. It involves intricate guitar play along with unique rhythm and tapping techniques. Minus the Bear is an Indie rock band from America; in their entire run, the band released a total of 6 studio albums. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Instead of the traditional way, Minus the Bear uses the tapping technique to create arpeggios for this song, here’s an example of how you can also play arpeggios for this track: 

e|------7h10p7-----7h10p7------|  

B|-----------------------------|  

G|----7---------7-------------|  

D|--9---------9---------------|  

A|-----------------------------|  

E|-----------------------------| 

Strumming Pattern 

This song requires you to learn finger tapping, syncopated rhythms, along with layered guitar parts. The band was less resilient to the traditional strumming pattern; still if you are looking for a rhythm guitar approach you can follow this pattern: D D U U D U. 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction of this guitar lesson starts with prepping your guitar with the necessary tuning. 

Tapping Section: In this section, you will be learning about how to play the first part of the song using the two-handed tapping technique. 

Distortion Section: For this section you have to turn on the distortion on your amplifier, you will be playing a repetitive riff which will be replayed 4 times in the song. 

Song Demo: Here your music instructor Mike Walker is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Overdubs: There are two overdub sections in this song and in this part of the guitar lesson Mike is going to teach you both of them. 

Why Learn Absinthe Party By Minus The Bear?

For this song, you have to learn an intricate technique of two-hand tapping, which makes it both fun and challenging even for an expert guitarist. As you learn this song, you will be able to work on your dexterity, coordination and fluid playing. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Did Minus the Bear stop performing? 

Ans. In 2018, Minus the Bear came out with sad news of their retirement. They accompanied their retirement with a farewell tour as well. In 2025, the band reunited once again and announced an anniversary tour to commemorate their 20th anniversary of Menos el Oso. 

Q2. Who is the lead singer of the Absinthe Party by Minus the Bear? 

Ans. Jake Snider is the lead singer of the band, and he was the main vocalist of the song Absinthe Party. 

Q3. What Type of music does Minus The Bear produce? 

Ans. All the songs from Minus the Bear can be categorised as experimental rock, there had been a number of twists and turns in their music throughout their 17 year long run. The band was able to build a strong fan base after they were formed in 2001. 

Fun Fact: A friend of the band went on a date and when Jake Snider who was singer and guitarist for the band asked him how his date was he said You know that TV show from the '70s, B. J. and the Bear? It was like that ... minus the Bear.' And from there all the members agreed on naming that reference as their official band name. 

Introduction:

If you know about Nirvana, the band, you know them for this one song Come As You Are. It is their most iconic song of all time, and it’s a must-learn for beginners who want to make it big in the guitar and rock scene. 

Strumming Pattern:

This particular song follows a plucking/ riff-based rhythm rather than using traditional strumming. The iconic riff can still be played using this pattern: D D U D D U. 

• D = Down Strum 
• U = Up Strum

Song Structure 

Introduction: The introduction starts with explaining to you how to tune your guitar and how to turn your guitar down to a whole step to get the exact sound which you hear on record. 

Chords and Rhythm: Over here you will be learning how to play the basic power chords that are part of this song along with the rhythm which you will be following. Keep in mind, if you are using standard tuning, you have to use a whole step lower chords. 

Song Arrangement: Here you will be given a walkthrough of each section of the tune, most of the tunes for this song are somewhat related to the intro riff. So you have mastered the starting riff and the rest will be much easier. 

Intro Riff and Solo: Here again you will be learning how to play the center riff which results in the different tunes that you get in the song. 

Song Demo: In this part J.J Pattishall is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Sing and Play: This section is all about J.J giving you tips and tricks on how to play the song as well as sing it. He will show you the coordination tricks you can use to keep up with the song.

Why Learn Come As You Are (Complete) By Nirvana? 

The opening riff of the song is simple and easy to learn making it great for impressive others. Also, it takes the benefit of minor scales with the addition of a slight bluesy feel, and in order to play it you will have to learn alternate picking technique and smooth transitions. 

FAQs-This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What is the meaning of the song Come As You Are by Nirvana? 

Ans. The song is about how people are expected to act when struggle arrives in their life. Still, the song is filled with contradictory meanings and it is full of confusion, similar to how most people are in their lives.  

Q2. What genre does Come As You Are fall in? 

Ans. This particular song falls in the category of grunge alternative rock, the song writer is none-other than Kurt Cobain who was the lead singer of the band Nirvana. 

Q3. Which one is the saddest song from Curt Cobain?

Ans. The most haunting and saddest song ever written and recorded by Curt Cobain was Something In The Way. The tragic tune of the song is entirely written by the lead singer himself. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

Saajna’s unplugged version features minimal instrumentation and comes with soulful vocals that touch your heart. It has become a go-to-track for contestants of reality shows, unplugged concerts and for many upcoming musicians who are singing in clubs, cafes and restaurants. 

Fun Fact: 

The original song for the film was composed by Salim-Sulaiman, and the responsibility of composition was given to none other than Shafqat Amanat Ali, which became so popular that it overshadowed the original recording. 

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this introduction part of the song lesson, Steve, your guitar instructor, talks about what makes Saajna such a great Hindi song to learn on guitar. 

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn how to tune up your guitar and learn how to play 

the song in the key of D minor. 

Song Demo: In this section, Steve is going to play the guitar part of the song with the backing track to show you how to sync guitar chords with the vocals that are part of the song. 

Solo 1: This part of the lesson helps you understand how to play the first solo that comes at the very beginning of the song. 

Solo 2: This part of the guitar lesson will provide you with information on the next little piece 

of the guitar solo that you hear in the middle of the song. 

Solo 3: Here, you will learn the very last solo, which comes as the song is about to end. 

Overdub Section: This part of the lesson teaches you how to play a specific section of the second guitar, which only comes when the verse section comes in. 

Improvisation: In the last part of this lesson, Steve tells you some of the improvisation techniques that you can use in order to make your guitar chords sound as accurate as possible. 

Why is Saajna (Unplugged) from the movie I, Me aur Main Song?

The song Saajna is rich and filled with emotions; the lyrics are heartfelt, making it a perfect 

choice for people who are looking for emotive playing and connecting with their audience. 

FAQs – Saajna (Unplugged) Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Saajna, and who sang it for the movie? 

Ans. The unplugged version of the song was composed by Shafqat Amanat Ali, and the vocals for the song were given by Falak Shabir. 

Q2. Is this a good song for beginners? 

Ans. Yes, the song takes full advantage of basic chords and has a slow tempo as well making it suitable for slow beginners. 

Q3. Do I really need to play this song on acoustic guitar only? 

Ans. The unplugged versions of the means it is best to play it on an acoustic guitar with the help of fingerstyle playing. 

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe - Introduction

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe is a classic romantic song from the 1982 Hindi film Satte Pe Satta. The legendary Kishore Kumar sang this track with additional humming by Annette Pinto. Music director R.D. Burman created the memorable melody while Anand Bakshi wrote the emotional lyrics. In the movie, the song plays during a wedding reception scene featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. The lyrics express deep longing, with lines asking how long the lover will keep tormenting the singer.

The song uses a 6/8 time signature which gives it a gentle waltz-like feel. This rhythm pattern makes the melody flow smoothly like a dance. The orchestration blends Western instruments with Indian melody structures. Even after 40 years, the song remains popular because of its simple yet powerful emotional expression through music.

Dilbar Mere Kab Tak Mujhe Guitar Lesson

Taught by Steve Luciano, this lesson breaks down the song's structure in F minor. The chord progression follows a repeating pattern of Fm - Bbm - Eb - Db. These chords create the sad yet romantic mood of the song. The 6/8 timing means you count six beats per measure with emphasis on beats 1 and 4.

The strumming pattern uses downstrokes on the main beats with some light upstrokes in between. For the verse, play two downstrokes per chord lasting three beats each. The pre-chorus switches to arpeggios where you pluck individual notes of each chord slowly. The chorus returns to strumming but with more energy.

The melody uses the F natural minor scale (F-G-Ab-Bb-C-Db-Eb). This scale gives the song its emotional quality. The vocal line moves step-by-step through this scale with occasional jumps. On guitar, you can play these melody lines by focusing on the first three strings (G, B, E) between frets 1-5.

For beginners, start by mastering the chord changes slowly. The Bbm to Eb transition needs special attention. Intermediate players can work on matching the vocal melody on guitar. Advanced players should focus on the subtle dynamics - where the song gets louder and softer to match the emotions.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE) works perfectly for this song.

Q. How to count 6/8 timing?

Count it as "1-2-3-4-5-6" with slight emphasis on 1 and 4.

Q. What's the best way to play the Bbm chord?

Use the barre chord version at fret 1 or the simpler three-finger shape without barre.

Q. How to make it sound more authentic?

Add gentle vibrato on longer notes and use dynamics to follow the vocal emotion.

Q. Can I use a capo?

Yes, capo on 1st fret and play in E minor shapes if easier.