Introduction

Tore Down - Introduction

Tore Down is a blues classic originally recorded by Freddie King in 1961 under the title "I'm Tore Down." Written by pianist Sonny Thompson, the song became one of King's biggest hits, reaching #5 on Billboard's R&B chart. The track showcases King's powerful voice and sharp guitar work, blending Texas blues with a raw, energetic delivery. Decades later, Eric Clapton covered the song for his 1994 blues album From the Cradle, staying true to King's original arrangement while adding his signature touch.

Clapton's version keeps the song's essential elements—the falsetto vocal phrases, punchy guitar fills, and that unmistakable blues shuffle. His recording was so well-received that it also reached #5, this time on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart. Over the years, Clapton has performed "Tore Down" live many times, including at his Live in Hyde Park concert and John Mayall’s 70th Birthday show. The song’s enduring appeal lies in its raw emotion and tight groove, making it a favourite among blues guitarists.

Tore Down Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Dugan, this lesson breaks down Eric Clapton’s version of ‘Tore Down’, focusing on the blues shuffle rhythm, stop-time sections, and lead fills. The song is in the key of A major and follows a classic 12-bar blues structure, but with some clever variations. The most distinctive feature is the stop-time verses, where the band cuts out on the 1st beat, leaving space for Clapton’s vocals to drive the song forward. There are two types of stops—short stops (just a quick pause) and long stops (a full beat of silence).

The rhythm guitar part uses a Texas blues shuffle, played with a light swing feel. The basic pattern is A5-D5-A5-E5-D5-A5, but the magic is in the muting and dynamics. Use palm muting on the lower strings to keep it tight, and let the chords ring out slightly on the turnaround. Clapton’s version has a crisp, clean tone, so roll back your guitar’s tone knob a bit and use a tube amp with mild breakup.

For the lead fills, Clapton sticks mostly to the A minor pentatonic scale (A-C-D-E-G) but adds bluesy bends and quick hammer-ons for extra flavour. The opening riff is simple but effective—just a few well-placed notes with vibrato. The solo builds on Freddie King’s original licks but with Clapton’s smoother phrasing. Pay attention to his bending accuracy—he often bends up a whole step (from C to D) with perfect pitch control.

The stop-time sections require tight coordination with the band. When the band stops on the 1st beat, keep your strumming hand moving in time so you can jump back in smoothly. Beginners should practice the stops slowly, counting out loud (1-2-3-4-STOP) to internalise the rhythm. Advanced players can work on Clapton’s subtle variations, like adding a quick chromatic slide into a chord or throwing in a double-stop lick before a stop.

FAQs

Q. How do I play the Texas shuffle rhythm?

Use a down-up strum pattern with swing feel, muting the strings lightly between chords.

Q. What scale does Clapton use for solos?

Mostly A minor pentatonic, with some blues scale (added flat 5th) notes for extra grit.

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:

This song was originally written and composed during the time of Schultz and Fraites in New York. It was meant to be a kiss-off to disinterested concertgoers. It was the first single from a folk rock band to get certified in the US. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: The song is present in the key of C major. 

Strumming Pattern:

The most common strumming pattern used for playing this song is D - D - U - D - D:

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum
• - = Pause (mute or let the chord ring)

The alternative strumming pattern is D - D - U - U - D - U, this adds more guitar movement in the song and makes the guitar play a bit more smooth. 

Song Structure:

Introduction: The introduction of the song is by J.J. Pattishall, in here he teaches you the tuning required to play this song on guitar. 

Song Arrangement: Here, your guitar instructor talks about the feel of the song and how it helps you play it. In addition, he shares with you all the chords you have to play and how they should be played.

Sing and Play: In this section, you will learn how to time your chords while you are singing. 

Song Demo: Finally this is the part where your guitar instructor will show you how to play the entirety of the song with the song running in the background. 

Introduction:

It’s My Life is known to be one of the rock anthems, it was released in May, 2000 as the lead single of the seventh album called Crush by the rock band Bon Jovi. This was the song which made it possible for the band to introduce themselves to the younger fanbase. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson:

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song uses power chords most of the time along with some strong strumming, but it is up to you to add arpeggios to add another dynamic layer in the verses 

Instead of strumming, you can also play the following arpeggios in the verse section:

E|----------------|  

B|------0--------|  

G|----0---0------|  

D|--2-------2----|  

A|--------------|  

E|--------------| 

Strumming Pattern 

This song uses palm muting and strong downstrokes in order to create the classic rock sound. The main strumming pattern for It’s My Life by Bon Jovi is: D D X U D X U D  

• D (Downstroke) → Hit the full chord with power.
• X (Palm Mute) → Lightly rest your palm on the strings for a muted "chug" effect.
• U (Upstroke) → Play lightly, focusing on the higher strings for dynamics.

Song Structure 

Introduction: In the introduction of the song you will be getting to know the tuning required to play this song. 

Song Arrangement: Here you guitar instructor Mike Walker will be combining the guitar and piano parts of the song together which allows you to play the iconic guitar melody of this song. 

Song Demo: After understanding what chords you need to play and where, in this part Mike is going to show you how to play the entire song with the backing track. 

Solo: This is the final part of the guitar lesson, and here you will be learning all the licks which are part of the guitar solo. 

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.

In this video lesson Steve Luciano teaches how to play the song Kholo Kholo as part of our guitar series on Indian songs. The song is broken down into multiple lessons for easy learning - Introduction and Intro Riff, Verse and Chorus and Interlude and Outro. Don't forget to make use of the chords and tabs provided with the song lesson!

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.

Shukran Allah is a timeless romantic ballad that is created with a combination of simplicity, soul, and subtle musicality. The composition is the brainchild of none other than Shankar-Eshaan-Loy, and it effortlessly weaves together elegant instrumentation with heartfelt lyrics. 

This song isn’t flashy, and neither is it complex, but it’s the song you need to learn if you wish to understand how a melody is controlled on guitar and how you are able to express emotions with it. The song is built on a simple yet effective chord progression, which is rooted in C major or D major, making it a beginner-friendly guitar song to learn. 

The gentle acoustic guitar elements in the original recording of the song translate wonderfully when you play this song solo. One of the biggest lessons you will have from this song is developing musical sensitivity. 

Strumming Pattern 

The tonality of the song is gentle, so it requires a light and flowing strumming pattern that compliments its romantic and airy vibe; here is the required pattern that would be best for beginners: D – D U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

When you are practicing this song, make sure you emphasize the second downstroke in order to create a gentle, rhythmic pulse. During the verse section of the song, play the strumming pattern as lightly as possible, or you can even make a switch to fingerpicking for an intimate feel. 

There is an optional strumming pattern that you can follow: D – x U – U D U. 

Here, X is a soft, muted strum; this adds a whole new sound texture to your strumming. 

Why Learn Shukran Allah Song On Guitar?

The song is not just another generic Bollywood number that you learn on guitar; it’s a routine, an exercise that helps you subtly build chord control, making this song a brilliant choice for guitar learners. 

FAQs – Shukran Allah Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. What time signature do you need to follow to play Shukran Allah on guitar? 

Ans. The song follows a 4/4 time signature, which makes it a simple and straightforward guitar song for beginners to learn about rhythm and timing. 

Q2. Is the song Shukran Allah a good song to practice singing and playing guitar at the same time? 

Ans. Yes, due to its steady rhythm and simple chord progression, you don’t have to keep a lot of fret positions in your mind when playing it. In addition to this, the acoustic nature of the song makes it possible for you to experiment with simple arpeggios or even fingerpicking patterns. 

Q3. Can I use chord inversions or higher fret voicings in the song Shukran Allah? 

Ans. Yes, it is possible, but we do not recommend beginners or even intermediate guitar players to try it out because then you have to learn every single inverted or partial chord, which is equivalent to the original one. 

Dhimu Dhimu - Introduction

Welcome to the guitar lesson on Dhimu Dhimu, a soft romantic ballad from the 2011 Tamil film Engeyum Kadhal. Directed by Prabhu Deva, the movie stars Jayam Ravi and Hansika Motwani, and this track became one of its emotional high points. Composed by Harris Jayaraj and sung by Karthik, the song is soaked in longing and tender expression.

Interestingly, Dhimu Dhimu holds a unique spot in the film's music journey—it was the first track composed for Engeyum Kadhal, even though it was first heard by the public in its Telugu adaptation “Chilipiga” for the film Orange. Still, the Tamil version managed to claim its own space with a different emotional tone and arrangement.

Dhimu Dhimu Guitar Lesson

In this lesson, instructor J J Patishall takes you through Dhimu Dhimu in a way that’s both thoughtful and easy to follow. The song is played in standard 4/4 time at around 120 BPM, which makes it a comfortable speed for both beginner and intermediate players. The chords are rooted in C major and include C, Fmaj7, G, and even a slightly unexpected Bb chord. J J explains how these chords work together to create that dreamy atmosphere the song is known for. For example, the Fmaj7 adds a floating quality—it's basically an F major chord, but with an open E string, giving it a more emotional sound.

J J also talks about how to play the song with smooth transitions between chords. He focuses a lot on how to hold each chord shape lightly and clearly, so the ringing notes don't get muddy. The Bb chord might feel like a challenge for some, since it's usually a barre chord, but J J breaks down a simplified version so even newer players can try it without stress.

The strumming pattern is kept subtle and steady—mostly downstrokes with light upstrokes filling the gaps. It reflects the slow-burning feel of the track. J J also offers an optional picking style for those who want to add more texture to their playing. He demonstrates how to pluck the individual strings of each chord in rhythm with the melody, which matches the orchestral style of the original arrangement.

Lastly, there's a small section where the harmony shifts in a surprising way, using the Bb to break the usual major pattern. J J points this out and explains how little moments like this can really pull at your emotions, even if you’re not actively aware of it while listening. It’s this kind of insight that makes the lesson a blend of both learning and feeling the music.

FAQs

Q. Is the Bb chord necessary to play Dhimu Dhimu?

Yes, but if you're a beginner, J J shows an easier version of it that works just fine for the song’s feel.

Q. Do I need to know music theory to follow this lesson?

Not at all. J J keeps the explanation simple—he talks more about how things sound and feel than using technical language.

Tezz was an action thriller, but the one song that stood out in the film’s context was Tere Bina's song; with this song, the director of the film was able to bring emotional depth to the movie for which critics and fans praised even more than the film’s action sequences. 

Fun Fact: This song became so popular that during the time of the movie’s release, it played repeatedly on various radio and music TV channels. 

Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: For the most open chords that are part of this song, you can follow this fingerpicking pattern: 

P I M A M I

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4 (For Am and C)

6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4 (For G and E)

• P = Thumb (plays bass strings: 6th, 5th, 4th)
• I = Index finger (3rd string)
• M = Middle finger (2nd string)
• A = Ring finger (1st string)

Here’s the list of recommended arpeggios: 

Chord       String Picking Order (Arpeggio)

Am 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

G 6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

F 6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

C 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

E 6 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 3 – 4

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern for this song is pretty smooth and flowing, which perfectly matches up with the romantic and emotional feel of the song. In order to play it, use the following pattern: D – D U – U D U. 

• D = Down Strum. 
• U = Up Strum. 

Song Structure 

Intro, Chords, Rhythm, and Lead Fills: In this part of the guitar lesson, your guitar instructor, Steve Luciano, is going to show you how to tune up your guitar for the song.

Song Demo with Backing Track: In this part of the lesson Steve is going to show you how to sync up the guitar parts of the song with that of the vocals using the backing track. 

Why Learn Tere Bina From Tezz?

If you are someone who is into emotional melodies, then Tere Bina is a great song to learn on guitar. You can use strumming fingerpicking techniques to express your feelings as you learn this song. 

FAQs – Tere Bina From Tezz Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who composed the song Tere Bina from the movie Tezz? 

Ans. The composer was Sajid-Wajid and the singer for this particular song was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. 

Q2. Is the song suitable for people who are beginners? 

Ans. Yes, if you are comfortable with the chord transitions and can easily pull off basic strumming then you can play this song with comfort. 

Q3. Can I sing and play this song at the same time? 

Ans. Yes you can do that, but in order to play both the song on guitar and sing, it requires lots of practice; you can check out the second part of the guitar lesson, where Steve shows you how to do it. 

Black Magic Woman - Introduction

"Black Magic Woman" is one of Santana’s most famous songs, though it was originally written by Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac in 1968. Santana’s 1970 version, featured on the album Abraxas, transformed the track into a Latin rock masterpiece. The song blends bluesy guitar riffs with Afro-Latin percussion, creating a hypnotic and rhythmic groove. Carlos Santana’s smooth yet fiery guitar playing gives the track its signature sound, making it instantly recognizable.

The lyrics tell the story of a man enchanted by a mysterious woman, a common theme in blues music. Santana’s version extends the original with an instrumental section that transitions into "Gypsy Queen," a piece by jazz guitarist Gábor Szabó. This fusion of styles helped define Latin rock and cemented Santana’s place in music history. The song became a massive hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971, and remains a classic rock staple today.

Black Magic Woman Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down how to play "Black Magic Woman" in the original key. The song revolves around three main chords: Dm7, Am7, and Gm7, giving it a moody, bluesy feel. The rhythm follows a Latin-inspired groove, with a steady pulse that makes it perfect for practicing timing and feel.

The intro features Santana’s iconic minor pentatonic lick, played with smooth bends and vibrato. The verse uses a repeating chord progression (Dm7 - Am7 - Gm7 - Dm7), with a laid-back strumming pattern that locks in with the percussion. The chorus shifts to a more open sound, letting the chords ring out before returning to the verse groove.

For the solo sections, Santana uses the D minor pentatonic scale (D-F-G-A-C) with added bluesy bends and expressive phrasing. The key is to play with emotion—let notes sustain, add vibrato, and slide between positions for that signature Santana sound. The transition into "Gypsy Queen" introduces faster, more intricate picking patterns, so start slow and focus on clarity.

Beginners should first master the chord changes and basic rhythm. Intermediate players can work on the intro riff and solo licks, paying attention to bends and vibrato. Advanced players should experiment with improvisation over the Dm7 vamp, using Santana’s phrasing as inspiration.

FAQs

Q. What tuning is used for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE)—no drop tuning or capo needed.

Q. How do I get Santana’s tone?

Use a smooth overdrive (not too distorted), with slight delay and reverb. Roll off some treble for warmth.

Q. What’s the strumming pattern?

A relaxed down-down-up with emphasis on beats 2 and 4 to match the Latin groove.

Q. Can I play this without a band?

Yes, but focus on keeping the rhythm tight—the groove is essential.

Q. How do I practice the bends in the solo?

Start slow, ensuring each bend reaches the correct pitch (e.g., bend G to A in the D minor scale).