Introduction

It’s Time is the debut single by the American rock band Imagine Dragons. The song was released as the leading single from the band’s first major label EP which was Continued Silence. In the same year the band included this song in their first feature album. 

It’s Time is the staple of Imagine Dragons’s live concert; they usually play this song in the beginning of their performance as it is the first song which gave the band its much needed recognition in the American music scene. 

In this video lesson Mike Walker teaches how to play the song It's Time 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 It’s Time is present in the key of D 

Strumming Pattern 

The strumming pattern that you have to follow for this song is D-DU-UD-DU, which means: 

• D = Down strum
• U = Up strum
• - = Pause or slight break

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this part of the guitar lesson Mike Walker your music instructor is going to show you the tuning requirements for the song. 

Song Arrangement: Here, you are going to learn how to play specific chords in the open chord style. In addition to this, you will also learn the lick, which you will be playing over and over again in the verses. 

Song Demo: This is the last part of this guitar song lesson where Mike is going to teach you how to play the guitar section alongside the backing track. 

Introduction

Wake Me Up When September Ends is one of the most iconic songs from the American punk rock band Green Day. It is the fourth single from their seventh studio album, American Idiot, which was released in 2004. The lead vocalist Armstrong, wrote the lyrics of this song after his father's death in September 1982.

Chords Used in Wake Me Up When September Ends

Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: Open chords. The song is played in the key of G, and there is no need for a capo. 

Chorus Variation: The chorus of the song is pretty short, and the guitar chords used in it are similar to those of the verse. 

Strumming Pattern 

The entirety of the song follows the same strumming pattern: Down-Up, Down-Up, Down-Up. (DUDUDU)

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this section, J.J. Pattishall will explain the key you need to play the song in.

Song Arrangement: Here, you will learn how and why the guitar instructor has broken down this song into several different parts. This particular section will show you how to play the guitar parts of the intro, verse, chorus, and bridge. 

Rhythm: Here, you will learn the open chords used to provide backing rhythm to the verse and chorus of the song. 

Song Demo: Right here, after showing you how to play all the different chords for this song, J.J. Pattishall will show you how to play the guitar alongside the song. 

Solo Lesson: This is the last part, where you learn how to play the epic solo from the song. 

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

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:

Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne is the most legendary rock and metal song of all time. This song also has some of the best guitar play by Randy Rhoads.

Song Structure 

Introduction: In this part Mike Walker shows how much he loves playing this song and shares why it is important for every rock and metal fan to learn this song. 

Intro Riff: Here, you will be learning the very first lick of the song for which the song became famous in the first place. 

Pre-Verse: this is a 4 bar phrase, and it comes before the verse, 

Verse: In this section Mike shows you the guitar chords which you need to play in the verse parts of the song. He also showed how you should be focused on playing the last 2 bars because if you learn that you will be playing the entire part of the verse section on guitar. 

Pre Chorus: This is a four bar pre-chorus along with a couple of single notes present in it that Mike first shows how it is done then explains to you how you can play the same tune. 

Chorus: In this part of the guitar lesson you will learn about the main chorus of the song. Mike has broken the chorus in multiple parts to make it easier for you to understand how it needs to be played. 

Bridge: This is the part which works as a contrast between the chorus and the verse, you will be playing this part after the second chorus of the song, it has been used to give a fresh 

element to the song. 

Solo: This is one of the most intricate solos in metal music it goes up to 16 bars and it does have tons of guitar techniques which comes handy as a guitarist. 

Song Demo: This is the final part, where Mike will play the guitar alongside the backing track. 

Why Learn Crazy Train By Ozzy Osbourne Song?

The main riff of the song is instantly recognizable and if you learn it on guitar you will get to know about alternative picking precision. It includes a combination of power chords, single-note runs, and syncopation which is something essential for both rock and metal music. 

FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson

Q1. Who originally recorded Crazy Train? 

Ans. Crazy Train is the debut single by English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne, he released the song in the 1980s for his debut album which was his solo venture as an artist. 

Q2. What is the hidden meaning of the song Crazy Train?

Ans. Crazy train is about the cold war which happened during that time and consumed the entire world in the 1980s. Osbourne was talking about dictators when he said “One person is conditioned to rule and control.”

Q3. Is Ozzy Osbourne going through mental health problems?

Ans. No, Ozzy Osbourne doesn’t have mental health problems; he does have progressing Parkinson’s disease, which causes new mobility challenges as he grows old. 

Fun Fact: It was the first ever solo which Ozzy sang after leaving Black Sabbath, after the release it became an instant hit and even to this day it is one of the most recognizable songs of Ozzy Osbourne.

Fear of the Dark - Introduction

Fear of the Dark is one of Iron Maiden’s most famous songs, released in 1992 on the album of the same name. Written by bassist Steve Harris, it explores the fear of darkness and the unknown. The song starts slow and eerie, then explodes into fast, heavy riffs. It became a fan favorite, especially in live shows where the crowd sings along.

The lyrics describe the creeping fear of being alone in the dark, where every shadow feels threatening. Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocals and the twin-guitar harmonies make it unforgettable. The song’s structure is dynamic; starting quiet, building tension, then bursting into full energy. It remains one of their most-streamed tracks today.

Fear of the Dark Guitar Lesson

Taught by Mike Walker, this lesson breaks down the song’s F major to D minor shifts. The intro uses clean arpeggios (F - C - Dm - Bb) before the heavy riff kicks in. The main riff is in D minor, played with palm muting for a tight sound. The tempo starts at 80 BPM but speeds up later.

The verse has a chugging rhythm (D5 - C5 - Bb5), while the chorus opens up with power chords (F5 - C5 - D5 - Bb5). The solos use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#), giving them a dark, dramatic feel. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—two guitars play different but matching melodies.

For the solos, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith use the D harmonic minor scale (D-E-F-G-A-Bb-C#). This scale gives the leads their dramatic, almost classical sound. The twin-guitar harmonies are a key feature—one guitar plays a melody while the other plays a matching part at a different pitch. These harmonies use intervals of thirds and sixths to create that classic Iron Maiden sound.

The bridge section before the final chorus has a rhythm part with quick chord changes. Here, you switch between D5 - F5 - C5 - Bb5 in rapid succession. The key is to keep your palm muting consistent while moving between chords. The song ends with a repeat of the intro arpeggios.

Beginners should start by learning the power chord shapes and the galloping rhythm pattern. Practice the palm muting to get that tight, punchy sound. Intermediate players can work on the twin-guitar harmonies—try recording one part and playing the other over it. Advanced players should focus on the vibrato and bends in the solos, which need to be precise to match the original recording.

FAQs

Q. What tuning does Iron Maiden use for this song?

Standard tuning (EADGBE), though they sometimes play it half-step down live.

Q. How do I play the rhythm correctly?

Use downstrokes on the main beats and upstrokes in between (down-down-up). Start slow with a metronome.

Q. Why does the solo sound so dramatic?

It uses the D harmonic minor scale, which has a raised 7th note (C# instead of C natural).

Q. Can I play this song on a single guitar?

Yes, but you’ll miss the harmonies. Try recording one guitar part and playing the other over.

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.