Introduction
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.
I See Fire
Introduction
Intro Lick and Song Arrangement
Song Demo
Beginners Version
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.
I See Fire
Introduction
Intro Lick and Song Arrangement
Song Demo
Beginners Version
Explore More in English Songs
Similar Pop Songs
Introduction
Torrins brings you another heartfelt country classic—Always on My Mind by Willie Nelson, taught by Mike Dugan. This in-depth lesson covers everything from basic chords to advanced rhythm techniques, making it accessible for both beginners and advanced players.
Fun Fact: Always on My Mind was the Billboard number one country album of the year in 1982. It remained on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for an astonishing 253 weeks, holding the number one spot for 22 weeks. It even spent 99 weeks on the Billboard 200, peaking at number two for three weeks!
Chords Used in Always on My Mind
Beginner Chords:
- D, A, Bm, etc (alternative chords provided for those struggling with barre chords)
- Bm/G# and other slash chords (simplified option available)
- Basic downstrumming technique
Advanced Chords:
- Walk-down from Bm barre chord to G, creating a smooth transition
- Em, A, D, and motion chord movement from Em to F#, along with other chord voicings
- Includes A/C# to add depth to the song
Rhythm & Strumming Pattern
Beginner Rhythm:
- Simple downstrumming throughout the song for easy playability
Advanced Rhythm:
- More dynamic strumming pattern: DUDDUD with variations in the upstrokes
- Incorporates subdivisions and expressive chord transitions to match the song’s emotional tone
Song Structure
This song follows a classic country ballad structure:
- Intro
- Verse 1 & 2
- Bridge – Separate versions for beginners and advanced players
- Solo Verse – Melody-driven section
- Bridge Repeat
Solo Section
- Uses the D major scale for advanced players
- Simple yet effective solo incorporating D and Bm/A chords, to name a few
- Captures the melody of the song to create an emotional instrumental moment
Improvisation Techniques
For those wanting to add their own flavour, Mike shares techniques to elevate their playing:
- Walk-down motions to create smoother transitions
- Letting open strings ring for a fuller sound
- Subtle rhythmic variations to match Willie Nelson’s expressive phrasing
Why Learn Always on My Mind?
This lesson is a great way to enhance your expressiveness as a guitarist. Whether you’re learning the basic chords or mastering the advanced transitions, Mike ensures that every player walks away with valuable skills.
FAQs – Always on My Mind Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?
Ans: It’s better suited for intermediate and advanced players, but Mike breaks it down for beginners as well.
Q2. What if I struggle with barre chords?
Ans: Alternative chord shapes are provided for Bm and Bm/G# to make it easier.
Q3. How can I improve my strumming on this song?
Ans: Beginners should start with downstrumming, while advanced players can incorporate upstroke variations and subdivisions for a more dynamic feel.
Q4. Does this lesson include a solo?
Ans: Yes! The solo is based on the D major scale and includes a simple yet effective melody.
Introduction:
Get ready to learn You Send Me by Sam Cooke with instructor Mike Dugan on Torrins. This lesson covers everything from basic chords and strumming patterns to advanced solo techniques, making it suitable for both beginners and more experienced players. Mike breaks down the song step-by-step, helping you match your vocals with the chords and refine your rhythm for a polished performance.
Fun Fact: This was Sam Cooke’s debut single and it was a glorious debut– it peaked at number 1 position on both Billboard's Rhythm & Blues Records chart and the Billboard Hot 100. It was also named as one of the 500 most important rock and roll recordings by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Chords and Techniques Used in You Send Me
- Key: The original song is in the key of F for vocals, but Mike moves it to the key of G since it’s easier to follow on the guitar.
- Chords Used:
- G, D or D7, Am, and others
- He explains easy chord transitions and provides alternatives for beginners struggling with barre chords.
- Strumming Pattern:
- For Beginners:
- Use downstrokes, with two strums per chord for the verse.
- The verse uses open chords, with downstrokes on the numbers and upstrokes on the "and" counts.
- Tip: Don’t force the upstrokes—keep them light and natural.
- For Advanced Players:
- Mike demonstrates an advanced rhythm pattern using downstrokes with a triplet feel.
- He explains how to create a smoother, more dynamic strumming effect.
- For Beginners:
Song Structure
- Verse 1 and Verse 2: The two verses follow the same chord pattern and strumming technique. He also teaches how to match your vocals with the chords for a cohesive sound.
- Bridge: The bridge includes barre chords, but Mike teaches open chord alternatives for beginners. He explains the correct positioning for barre chords in detail to help you improve your grip and clarity.
- Solo Section: The solo is in the key of G major. The lead follows the relative minor of G (E minor), using the E minor pentatonic scale. For advanced players, he demonstrates a creative technique that makes the solo sound very close to the original recording.
Why Learn You Send Me?
This lesson not only teaches you how to play the song but also helps you develop better rhythm, improve chord transitions, and explore creative soloing techniques. The mix of beginner-friendly guidance and advanced options makes it a well-rounded learning experience.
Tips to Improve Your Playing
- Start slow with the strumming pattern to build muscle memory.
- Focus on smooth transitions between chords.
- For the solo, practice the E minor pentatonic scale separately before combining it with the backing track.
- Follow along with the tabs provided for a comprehensive learning experience.
FAQs – You Send Me Guitar Lesson
Q1. Is this song suitable for beginners?
Ans: Yes! The lesson includes beginner-friendly chords and strumming patterns, along with alternatives for challenging barre chords.
Q2. What’s the best way to improve my chord transitions?
Ans: Start slowly and focus on switching between two chords at a time before increasing your speed.
Q3. Do I need a capo for this song?
Ans: No capo is required, but you can experiment with different chord voicings to match your vocal range.




























