Chords and Rhythm

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Eruption

by Mario Ticlea

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song The First Cut is the Deepest as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Chords, Rhythm and Backing Track. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Pop

Taught by

Mario Ticlea

The First Cut is the Deepest

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Wonderful Tonight as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Chords and Progression, Rhythm and Backing Track and Intro Lick. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Wonderful Tonight

by Steve Luciano

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Tighten Up

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Tighten is a song by American rock band the Black Keys. It is the third track of their 2010 album called Brothers, which was released as the first single from the album. In 2011, Rolling Stones magazine put Tighten Up on its list of 15 Best Whistling Songs of All Time.

Also, Tighten Up became the most successful single from The Black Keys. It was the band's first song to hit the Billboard Hot 100 in America and reached number one on the list of alternative songs.

Chords Used in Tighten Up Song

The most common chords you will be using in this song are F#m, AM7, Bm, and C#.

Song Structure

Introduction: In this part, your guitar instructor, Mike Walker, teaches you the basic music knowledge to play this song on guitar.

Verse Chords and Rhythm: Here, Mike will show you where to take the necessary pause and hit the guitar chords when counting to 4.

Solos: Here, you will learn the first solo, which breaks up the verse section into two parts of the song.

Bridge and Outro Solo: Mike will teach you how to play the barre chords required to play the bridge and outro solo for this song.

Song Demo: In this section, Mike will play the entirety of the song on guitar to demonstrate it.

Easy Version: If you are a beginner in terms of guitar playing, Mike has got you covered with the easy version of the song, which you can play with ease.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Symbolic

by Bobby Koelble

Introduction

Get ready to master another death metal classic on Torrins—Symbolic by the band Death. This lesson is taught by Bobby Koelble himself, one of the guitarists on the original track. Bobby breaks down the song into several parts, covering essential chords, rhythms, and guitar tones, ensuring a detailed and engaging learning experience.

Fun Fact

Bobby Koelble joined Death after being recommended to Chuck Schuldiner, the band's co-founder, by a friend working at a local music store. Koelble and Schuldiner had known each other since high school in Orlando. After joining the band, Koelble toured with Death across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan before the band eventually disbanded.

Chords and Techniques Used in Symbolic

Tuning: Standard tuning down a whole step
Key: E minor
Some of the chords used in this song are G#, F#, Bm, and A7. Tune in to the lesson to know the rest of the chords used in this song.

Song Structure

Main Riff: The main riff repeats seven times and features vibrato, alternative picking, and palm muting. It includes a few power chords, one being G#.
Chorus: The chorus riff follows the same pattern as the main riff but repeats 14 times. Tune in to the lesson for a detailed breakdown of the rest of the chorus.
Solo Section: The solo section features four power chords. In this section, there’s a transition riff as well, which consists of four single notes and a power chord.
Solo section played by Bobby in the original song: It is played in the key of F# and features chords like B minor, F# power chord, and A7—all diatonic to F#. He breaks down the solo into three sections: beginning, middle, and end and shares valuable tips on mastering the solo, including his creative process behind crafting the iconic riff.

Bobby plays all elements slowly, first to make it easier to follow, then repeats them at normal speed. He also explains the guitar tone in detail.

Why Learn Symbolic?

This lesson provides a detailed breakdown of one of death metal’s most iconic tracks. Bobby Koelble’s insight into the composition and technique will help you refine your alternative picking, palm muting, and power chord transitions. It's a challenging yet rewarding song to master for any metal guitarist. If you’re an advanced player or an intermediate player looking for songs to improve your techniques, this song has to be in your repertoire.

Tips to Improve Your Playing

Start by playing the riffs at a slower pace, then gradually increase your speed.
Pay close attention to the vibrato and palm muting techniques to capture the song’s unique tone.
Focus on smooth chord transitions during the solo to maintain the song’s flow.

FAQs – Symbolic Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song suitable for beginners?

Ans: This lesson is recommended for intermediate to advanced players due to its fast-paced riffs and complex solos.

Q2. What tuning is used for this song?

Ans: The song is played in standard tuning down a whole step.

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Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Santeria

by Mike McQuinn

Indian Rock

Taught by

Mike McQuinn

Happy

by Mike Walker

Introduction:

Even from the name, you can see that the song is going to be uplifting, and it’s a perfect song to feel good about. It is the only single from the soundtrack album of the animated movie Despicable Me 2, which was released in 2013.

Happy is the song written and performed by Pharell Williams, and the music video of the song was nominated for Best Male Video and Video of the Year by the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song follows a simple four-chord progression throughout; the arpeggios picking pattern is going to be like this:

e|-----------1------------|

B|------1------1---------|

G|----2---2------2------|

D|----------------------|

A|----------------------|

E|--1------------------|

Strumming Pattern

The strumming has to be tight, quick and rhythmic for this song, it follows 4/4 time and there is a funk-style muted strumming feel: D x D U x U D U.

D = Down strum
U = Up strum
X = percussive muted strum

Song Structure

Introduction: In the introduction section, Mike shows you how to tune up your guitar to play this song.

Song Arrangement: Here your guitar instructor Mike has divided the song arrangement in different sections and he starts showing you how to play different chords for different sections starting with the intro.

Song Demo: Finally comes the time when Mike plays the guitar chords with the backing track playing alongside.

Why Learn Happy By Pharrell Williams Song?

It uses simple major chords that are easy to learn for beginners and even for intermediate players as it will help them be more consistent in their rhythmic strumming. In addition to this, the guitar sound is much funk-inspired, making it a perfect choice for improving your timing and groove.

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Was the song Happy made specifically for the movie Despicable Me?

Ans. Yes, the song was written only for the animated movie Despicable Me 2, which was released in 2013. The song received an Academy Award nomination for best original song, and the singer also performed it live at the Oscars ceremony.

Q2. Who originally sang the Happy?

Ans. Pharrell Williams has revealed that it was Cee Lo Green who recorded the song for the first time. But the producer didn’t feel like that the song belonged to Green so he gave Pharrell Williams a try and rest is history.

Q3. What was the reason Pharrell wrote Happy?

Ans. According to Pharrell the lyrics of the song came out of sarcasm, he wrote the song when he was 40 years old.

Fun Fact: The song got nominated by Academy Awards but it failed to win Best Original Song because it lost to Let It Go from Frozen.

Pop

Taught by

Mike Walker

Home

by Mike Walker

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.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Similar Blues Songs

Oh Pretty Woman

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Sitting On The Dock of the Bay as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

The Thrill is Gone

by Mike Dugan

Introduction:

Torrins brings you an exciting lesson on The Thrill Is Gone, the legendary blues song made famous by B.B. King. Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson is perfect for those looking to master both rhythm and lead guitar in a blues setting. You'll learn everything from chords and rhythm to soulful lead fills and solo techniques.

Fun Fact: While most people associate "The Thrill Is Gone" with B.B. King, the song was originally written and recorded by Roy Hawkins and Rick Darnell. However, B.B. King’s version became a massive hit, earning him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1970 and a spot in the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998.

Chords & Rhythm

This lesson starts by breaking down the essential chords used in the song. The song is in the key of B minor, incorporating barre chords like Em, F#7, and others in a 12-bar blues progression. Mike explains the finger placements for each chord, ensuring clarity for both beginners and advanced players.

The rhythm follows a straightforward 4-feel, meaning it doesn’t use shuffle or swing. Mike provides an easy method to simplify the rhythm, explaining the accents and muting techniques that bring the groove to life.

Sing and Play Technique

One of the key elements of this song is matching vocals with guitar playing. The song follows a typical blues structure where the first line is repeated, making it essential to synchronize your playing with the melody. Mike shares helpful tips on keeping time and smoothly integrating vocals with guitar.

Solo & Lead Fills

Next, we dive into the iconic solo heard in the introduction. The solo is based on the B minor pentatonic scale, and Mike walks through each lick, ensuring you understand the phrasing and feel that make B.B. King’s style so expressive.

Following the solo lesson, the instructor covers lead fills, which are played in between vocal phrases. He sticks to the B minor pentatonic scale, showing how to create emotional lead parts.

Song Demo & Final Arrangement

The lesson concludes with a full song demo, allowing you to hear all the elements come together. The final arrangement follows the classic 12-bar blues progression, with a structure of intro, two verses, solo, two verses, and outro. Mike plays along with the backing track, reinforcing everything covered in the lesson.

Why Learn "The Thrill Is Gone"?

Great way to practice 12-bar blues progressions.
Helps improve lead guitar phrasing and soloing.
Perfect for learning how to sing and play simultaneously.

FAQs -The Thrill Is Gone Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

Yes! While some barre chords are involved, Mike provides tips to make them easier.

Q2. Do I need a capo for this lesson?

No capo is required!

Q3. What’s the best way to practice lead fills?

Start slow and break the fills into smaller sections. Play along with the backing track to develop feel and timing.

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Blues

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Sitting On The Dock of the Bay

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song They Call me the Breeze as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Chords, Rhythm, and Sing and Play. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Steve Luciano

They Call me the Breeze

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Panchayat Theme

by Ashish Noel John

In this video lesson, Ashish Noel John teaches how to play the Panchayat Theme as part of our guitar series on Hindi songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Melody, Melody Demo, and Song Demo.

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song Messin with the Kid as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Intro, Riff, & Chord Progression, Verse and Chorus (Singing) and Advanced Rhythm. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Ashish Noel John

Messin with the Kid

by Mike Dugan

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Stormy Monday

by Mike Dugan

Introduction:

Torrins brings you another legendary blues guitar lesson—Stormy Monday as played by The Allman Brothers Band, taught by Mike Dugan. This classic blues song is packed with soulful chords, smooth rhythm, and expressive lead playing, making it a must-learn for any blues guitarist.

Fun Fact: Originally written by T-Bone Walker, Stormy Monday inspired blues legends like B.B. King to pick up the electric guitar. Moreover, the Allman Brothers' 1971 version, with jazzy organ and extended solos, transformed it into an iconic 8-minute masterpiece.

Chords & Song Arrangement

This song follows a 12-bar blues progression in the key of G, incorporating both open and barre chords:
Chords Used – G#7, Am7, Bbm7, and more. Some chords are barre chords, but Mike provides easier alternatives for different playing levels.
Since T-Bone was known for his 9th chords, Mike also teaches 9th chord variations to bring out that authentic blues feel.
The song includes a subtle sharp climb, adding to the T-Bone Walker-style phrasing.

Rhythm & Strumming Pattern

Time Signature: 4/4
Main Rhythm: A slow blues groove with a simple strumming pattern at first.
Alternative Rhythm: A 6-feel rhythm (double-time feel), adding an upbeat bluesy bounce.

Mike also demonstrates advanced rhythmic techniques, incorporating double stops, slides, and dynamic accents to enhance the song’s groove.

Intro Lick, Turnaround & Ending

Intro Lick – A G9 chord-based intro, first broken down in a simplified version before introducing more advanced variations using sharp and augmented chords.
Turnaround – Mike walks through classic turnaround chords, showing how they fit into the blues form.
Ending – He teaches a common blues-style ending which is useful for countless other blues songs.

Sing & Play – Coordinating Vocals & Guitar

Want to sing while playing? Mike shares practical tips on how to sync your vocals with the guitar. He encourages adding your own feel to the song while staying true to its blues roots.

Lead Fills & Lead Playing

Lead Fills: The lesson starts with small lead fills that complement the vocals.
Key & Scales: He uses the G minor pentatonic blues scale and major blues in G for expressive phrasing.
Playing Lead in Slow Blues: Mike demonstrates bends, sustains, and dynamics, making your solos sound rich and emotional.

Improvisation & Playing with a Backing Track

Here Mike explains how to improvise and when to use the major vs. minor scale. He also demonstrates how to craft a melodic, bluesy solo.
Follow his approach, and soon, you’ll be confidently improvising your own slow blues solos!

Final Playthrough with Backing Track

To wrap up the lesson, Mike plays the full song with a backing track, reinforcing all the techniques covered. Watch closely and play along to lock in the feel and phrasing of this blues classic.

Why Learn Stormy Monday?

Classic blues structure – great for understanding blues chord progressions.
Improves both rhythm & lead playing – covers everything from chords to expressive solos.
Perfect for improvisation – teaches you how to craft slow blues solos with feel.

FAQs – Stormy Monday Guitar Lesson

Q1: Is this lesson beginner-friendly?

Yes! Mike provides simplified chord alternatives and breaks down the song step by step.

Q2: What’s the most challenging part?

The double-time solo can be tricky, but Mike teaches how to ease into it.

Q3: How do I make my solos sound bluesier?

Focus on bends, vibrato, and using both the major & minor blues scales—all of which Mike explains in detail!

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Blues

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Songs with Similar Difficulty

Manzar Naya

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Aye Mere Humsafar

by Mike Walker

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Mike Walker

Jaadu Teri Nazar

by Mike Walker

If needed add some text content with lesson to show on viewer's screen.

Taught by

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Ishq Haazir Hai

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Dosti Intro Riff

by Salman Ahmad

Taught by

Salman Ahmad

Crystal Mountain

by Bobby Koelble

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.

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Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Sawan Aaya Hai (Arijit Singh)

by Mike Walker

Taught by

Mike Walker

Zamaney Ke Andaz

by Salman Ahmad

Taught by

Salman Ahmad

Bulleya

by Steve Luciano

Bulleya is a song of devotion towards your love; it is a song filled with deep meaning, and it serves as a powerful backdrop of the emotional turmoil faced by the main characters of the movie. It’s a song that reflects on the theme of love, separation, regret, and finding a path to redemption. The heartfelt vocals of Papon elevate the song’s intensity and make a deep connection with listeners.

Song Structure

Introduction: The introduction is from your guitar instructor Steve Luciano, in here he talks about how this song has some amazing chord changes, and a great melody to play on acoustic guitar, along with other things, which also made the song his favorite song to teach as well.

Chords and Rhythm: In this part of the guitar lesson, Steve begins with the most common chord used in the song, which is none other than the E chord, then comes A2, and A2 with E in the base. Here, he will show you all the chords that you need for this song and the rhythm that you need to follow.

Song Arrangement: Right here, you will get to know exactly how the song should be performed on the guitar section-by-section. Steve creates a roadmap of his own for this song and shows you what to play, when to play, and how each part fits together.

Quarter Note Triplets Section: In this song, you also need to learn how to use quarter notes; these notes are present with the harmonics on the 12th fret.

Song Demo: Now, with this section, you have reached the point where Steve plays the guitar parts of the song with the backing track. In this song demo, he’s going to play the harmonics, but if you do want to skip them, you can do it without hesitation.

Solo: The guitar solo is in the key of E, and the pickup note for the solo is placed on the 12th fret. The solo is present at the end of the 43rd measure. You can learn this solo and practice it, depending on your skill set. You can add this to the song, or you can skip it if you wish to. It won’t make a big difference to the feel of the song.

Why Learn Bulleya Song From The Movie Sultan?

Learning a Bulleya song on acoustic guitar is a great way to harmonise sufism with rock, which gives you a rich melodic palette allowing you to be deeply expressive with your musical instrument. It has a pretty versatile arrangement that can be helpful for practicing gentle arpeggios in the verses and powerful strumming in the chorus.

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Tere Bin Nahi Laage

by J.J. Pattishall