Solo Improvisation

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Every Teardrop is a Waterfall as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Arrangement, Lick and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

by J.J. Pattishall

Pop

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Nothing Else Matters

by Bobby Koelble

Metal

Taught by

Bobby Koelble

Arms Wide Open Acoustic Version

by Steve Luciano

Arms Wide Open - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on a song that has the best rock song Grammy to its name –With Arms Wide Open by Creed. Scott Stapp’s wife was pregnant with his first child, he wrote the lyrics when he found out, with great surprise, that he was going to be a father. According to Stapp, the song was written in just fifteen minutes during a soundcheck. The song has received almost 200 million views on YouTube.

Stapp says, “It continues to have relevant meaning in my life because as I sing it now, I think of my daughter who's now on this planet and alive. And then I think of my newest son, my three-year-old, Daniel”. The song is about a man expressing his feelings about thinking about becoming a father.

Arms Wide Open Guitar Lesson

This is a guitar lesson that is an acoustic cover version of the song performed by James Boyce, taught by our expert Steve Luciano, in a section-by-section manner. They start with the introduction

The song is in the key of C major and features a number of suspended chords. There is a C major 9 chord with a B note in the bass, which sounds like a suspended chord because of the 9th scale degree. There is also a very unique A minor 11th chord, which also sounds like a suspended chord because of the 11th scale degree, which is actually the 4th scale degree on the octave higher. The instructor explains all the chord shapes in great detail. You can also refer to the Arms Wide Open tabs along with the lesson on the sidebar.

The strumming of the chords is very simple, compared to the chord voicings, that is – D - U U D - U U D - D U for the most part (D is a downward strum and U is an upward strum).

There is also an easy verison of the song that the instructor demonstrates, which is a beginner-friendly version of the song focused more on the singing part of the track.

FAQs

Q. What skill level is Arms Wide Open for?

This lesson is ideal for beginner to intermediate players. If you know basic open chords, you can easily learn the song.

Q. Is this version different from the original Creed version?

Yes. This is a soft acoustic cover by James Boyce. It keeps the emotional depth of the original but focuses more on the singing part.

Q. What is the tuning of Arms Wide Open by Creed?

Nope! This version is played in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-e), making it very accessible. Drop D is not required here.

Q. What chords are used in this version?

The song uses common suspended and power chords, with some being 9 and 11th chords. The tutor goes over each one slowly and clearly.

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Slow Dancing in a Burning Room as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Song Arrangement, Solo Section, Sing and Play and Song Demo. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Pop

Taught by

Steve Luciano

Insomnia

by Rob Marcello

Introduction

Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson on Insomnia by Rob Marcello, taught by the artist himself. This means you are learning the song's intricacies directly from the creator, giving you a unique insight into the techniques and creative choices behind this guitar masterpiece.

Fun Fact: Rob Marcello was quite young when he composed this song and admitted that he wasn’t fully familiar with advanced music theory at the time. While Insomnia may not have achieved mainstream chart success, it remains a respected piece within the guitar community.

Chords Used in Insomnia Guitar Lesson

Intro: Intro is played in the key of G harmonic minor and uses a C minor arpeggio and triad. It also includes an F# chord along with other chords.

Verse: Chords used: Gm, F/G. It’s a simple verse structure with basic licks. Practising this verse is a good exercise for picking accuracy.

Chorus: In chorus, the key changes to C minor. This section involves arpeggios, sliding, and tapping

Break Section: The key of G harmonic minor returns. It has a metal-style lick. One of the chords is a D chord.

Classical Section: Has a key of G major. Ensure you have a clean note separation in this section. Tip: Lift each finger as you play.

Pre-Solo Section: Some of the chords used are D major and E♭ major. This section involves sliding up the neck and is still in the key of G harmonic minor.

First Solo: Base stays on G and includes F major arpeggio.

Main Solo: It uses harmonic picking, a guitar technique where you pick a note while lightly touching the string to create a bright, bell-like overtone. The solo starts with blues licks played through a wah-wah pedal and follows a pentatonic blues box shape.

There are other segments in this song that cover Dominant 7 tapping lick, string skipping & pentatonic licks, and lastly, he ends the lesson by playing along with a backing track.

Why Learn Insomnia?

Insomnia is an excellent song for players looking to improve their left-hand legato, harmonic picking, and tapping techniques. It blends metal, blues, and classical influences, making it a well-rounded piece for guitarists aiming to develop technical precision and creative expression. It is better suited for advanced players.

Tips for Playing Insomnia:

Pay attention to the rhythmic phrasing in the break section.
Master the sliding and tapping techniques in the solos for a polished sound.

FAQs – Insomnia Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

No, this lesson is suited for advanced players due to the complex techniques involved.

Q2. How can I master the classical section?

Ensure clean note separation by lifting each finger immediately after playing the note.

hard

Neoclassical Rock

Taught by

Rob Marcello

Slow Dancing in a Burning Room

by J.J. Pattishall

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Good Times Bad Times

by Mike Dugan

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.

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Final Countdown

by Mike Walker

Introduction:

The Final Countdown is the iconic song of Swedish rock band Europe which was released in 1986. The song was written by lead singer Joey Tempest.

Strumming Pattern

This song has a mix of palm-muting rhythm, open strumming, and melodic lead parts. The common strumming pattern which you can follow for this song is D D D D D D D D .

Make sure to keep your strokes short and control them using palm muting.

Song Structure

Introduction: In this section your guitar instructor Mike Walker is going to teach you how to tune your guitar in order to use it for the song.

Intro Parts: In this part of the guitar lesson your guitar instructor is going to show you how to play the synth part which comes in the intro of the song.

Song Arrangement Part 1: This section shows how you should be playing the verse section of the song and you will be playing these particular chords twice in the song.

Song Arrangement Part 2: Here, Mike shows you how to play the interlude, which is present in the song and is played alongside crash symbols.

Song Demo: This is the part where Mike Walke shows you how to play the guitar parts with the backing track.

Main Motif: This is the section where you will learn how to play the iconic motif, which

makes the song so memorable and classic.

Solo Lesson: Mike shares his knowledge of how you should be playing the harmonic solo of

this song in addition to the guitar chords.

Harmony Solo: This particular guitar part is played above the arpeggios section of the song.

Why Learn Final Countdown Song On Guitar By Europe Song?

Final Countdown is more than just a rock song, it's a rock anthem which has an instantly recognizable melody which is played at the beginning of the song.

The main keyboard riff can be easily played on guitar and learning it will help you practice lead techniques. The intro and the verse are great for learning melodic playing which is used a lot of time in rock music.

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Why is the Final Countdown so Famous?

Ans. The song reached number spot in 25 different countries, it is Europe’s only top 10 hit to this day. In addition to this, it is the band's most popular song of all time, the song which made the band famous all over the world.

Q2. What is the original BPM of the Final Countdown?

Ans. Final Countdown has a somber tune to it, as a result, the tempo of the song lies in 118 BPM. You can also use a half-time tempo at 59 BPM, or double-time it at 236 BPM.

Q3. Who is Europe's lead singer?

Ans. Joey Tempest is the lead singer of the rock band Europe.

Q4. How many hits did Europe have?

Ans. Europe has 20 albums in the Billboard 200 charts, including The Final Countdown and Out Of This World. In addition to this, they have three songs in the top 30 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

Fun Fact: The lyrics of the song were written after getting inspired by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” The song was only intended to be a concert opener, but it became the band’s best song of all time.

Taught by

Mike Walker

Three Little Birds

by J.J. Pattishall

Reggae

Taught by

J.J. Pattishall

Just the Way You Are

by Mike Walker

Introduction:

Torrins brings you an exciting guitar lesson "Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars, taught by expert instructor Mike Walker. This beautiful and heartfelt song is known for its simplicity and emotional depth, making it a great choice for both beginners and intermediate players. In this lesson, you'll learn two different ways to play this song with and without a capo along with essential strumming techniques and dynamics.

Fun Fact: "Just The Way You Are" was Bruno Mars' debut solo single, earning him the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. This song marked the beginning of his rise to global stardom!

Chords Used in Just The Way You Are Guitar Lesson

With Capo (3rd fret):

Mike demonstrates how to play the song with chords like Bm, Double Stack G, and others.
The non-capo version of the song includes just a handful of chords, with one being a barre chord (Bm). However, Mike Walker demonstrates an easy way to play it, making it accessible for all skill levels.

Without Capo:

Bb (barre chord), F, and others.
This version features slightly trickier chord shapes, but the lesson breaks down smooth transitions between them.

Strumming Pattern

The song follows a consistent and simple strumming pattern: DDDUDUDD.

Mike explains how to approach string roots and strumming accents to enhance your playing. Tune in to the lesson to learn these techniques in detail.

Pro Tip: Since the song is highly repetitive, dynamics play a crucial role. Dynamics keep the song engaging and expressive. The verse is played slightly louder than the chorus to create contrast and keep the song engaging.

Capo vs. Non-Capo Version

This lesson provides two approaches:

Capo Version: A beginner-friendly arrangement with simple chord transitions.
Non-Capo Version: A slightly more advanced version with barre chords and intricate transitions.

Mike plays both versions along with a backing track to help tie everything together. The lyrics provided with the guitar tutorial help you follow along seamlessly, making it easier to match your playing with the vocal phrasing and timing.

Why Learn Just The Way You Are?

This lesson is perfect for players who want to master song dynamics and strumming consistency. You'll also gain experience with barre chords, making it a great stepping stone toward more advanced playing.

FAQs – Just The Way You Are Guitar Lesson

Q1. Is this song beginner-friendly?

A: Yes! The capo version makes it accessible, while the non-capo version challenges intermediate players.

Q2. Do I need a capo?

A: No, but the capo version simplifies chord shapes and makes the song easier to play.

Q4. What if I struggle with the barre chords?

A: Mike demonstrates easy ways to tackle the barre chords and some tips for smooth transitions and finger positionings.

easy

Pop

Taught by

Mike Walker

Similar Rock Songs

La Bamba

by Mike Walker

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

Taught by

Mike Walker

Flake

by Steve Luciano

In this video lesson Mike Dugan teaches how to play the song The Sky is Crying 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

The Sky is Crying

by Mike Dugan

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song Smoke on the Water as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords, and Rhythm, Intro Riff, Song Arrangement, Solo Lesson, Song Demo and Improvisation. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Dugan

Smoke on the Water

by Mike Walker

In this video lesson J.J. Pattishall teaches how to play the song Crash as part of our guitar series on English songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction, Chords and Rhythm, Sing and Play and Putting it all Together. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

Taught by

Mike Walker

What Its Like

by Mike Walker

Introduction

Tune in to a detailed guitar song lesson on What It’s Like, a single by the American musician, Everlast. This 1998’s release was the lead single from his second studio album called Whitey Ford Sings the Blues.

This guitar song lesson is taught by Mike Walker, an experienced musician and instructor at Torrins. He breaks the lesson down into sections: Introduction, Intro Chord Progression, Verse & Chorus, Arrangement, Interlude, and Outro.

Mike Walker teaches the What It’s Like Song guitar lesson using just 3 chords, two of which are Dm and C. No capo is needed!

**Chords Used in What It's Like Guitar Lesson**

This song primarily revolves around three simple chords, making it accessible for players of all levels.
The strumming pattern follows a DDU rhythm, adding a steady groove.

Strumming & Picking Techniques

The song subtly blends strumming and arpeggiation, giving it a dynamic and textured feel. The intro is centered around a D minor chord, with the occasional addition of Dsus4 to introduce subtle variation. Arpeggiated picking is used here to create a melodic and flowing texture, setting the tone for the rest of the song.

In the verse, the D minor chord continues to anchor the progression, while an arpeggiated riff adds depth and makes it more rhythmic.

Moving into the chorus, the strumming follows a consistent DDU (Down-Down-Up) pattern, repeated four times. On the fourth repetition, however, there’s a variation introduced at the end which is a distinctive 8-note strum pattern that adds energy and creates a pumping, driving effect.

Song Structure & Arrangement

The song builds gradually, with familiar sections repeating and subtle changes keeping things interesting. Here's a simple breakdown of how the song flows:

Intro: A catchy opening riff sets the mood and is played four times.

Verse 1: The main melody kicks in and repeats six times, helping you settle into the groove.

Chorus: This part brings in energy. It’s played four times, with a twist added on the fourth round to keep things fresh.

Interlude: A gentle picking section gives you a short breather before heading back into the main theme.

Verse 2: Similar to the first verse, but extended — this time it's played eight times.

Chorus: Returns with the same pattern, repeated four times.

Bridge: Feels like a throwback to the intro, but with a longer run — played six times.

Verse 3: Back again for eight repetitions.

Final Chorus: Played three times as the song winds down.

Outro: The song gradually fades out, giving it a smooth ending.

Mike shares a tip for those struggling with Fmaj7? Try leading with your third finger—this helps you get the note covered first, giving you an extra split second to position the rest of your fingers.

**Why Learn What It’s Like?**

This lesson covers both strumming and fingerpicking, making it great for building dexterity.
The song’s structure teaches you how to transition smoothly between sections and add dynamics to your playing.
This song is a fantastic example of storytelling through music, giving you a chance to add emotion to your performance.

**FAQs – What It’s Like Guitar Lesson**

Q1: Is this song beginner-friendly?
- Yes! While the Fmaj7 chord can be tricky, the slow tempo and repetitive structure make it easier to master.
Q2: How can I improve my arpeggiation?
- Start slow, focus on even picking, and gradually increase speed.
Q3: Do I need a capo?
- No capo is required for this version.

Fun Fact: The song became Everlast’s biggest solo hit after he left the trio House of Pain and transitioned from rap to a bluesy, acoustic hip-hop style, which was a bold and unexpected move at the time!

easy

Rock

Taught by

Mike Walker

Crash Into Me

by J.J. Pattishall