Introduction
Introduction:
Top Gun Anthem is one of the iconic instrumental rock compositions in Hollywood which was composed for the movie in 1986 by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens. This song has some strong, melodic guitar-driven tracks which every guitarist no matter if they are beginner, intermediate or expert must learn to play.
Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson
Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song revolves around the lead guitar instrumental. But if you do want to learn about the arpeggios, then here’s how you should be playing them:
e|-----------0------------|
B|------1------1---------|
G|----0---0------0------|
D|-------------2--------|
A|--3------------------|
E|----------------------|
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern of the song is as follows: D D U U D U.
- D = Down strum
- U = Up strum
Song Structure
Introduction: In this introduction your guitar instructor Mike Walker is going to teach you how to tune up a guitar for this song.
Song Arrangement Part 1: This particular section will show you how to play the melody part of the song and how you should be counting the bells which are present in the song to keep up with tune.
Song Arrangement Part 2: Here, you will be learning the next part of the song.
Song Demo: Here, Mike will show you how to play the entire song on guitar while keeping up with the backing track.
Solo Part 1: In this part Mike will show you how to play the guitar solo which comes at 2:45 minutes on the track. He breaks down this guitar solo in 9 licks.
Solo Part 2: This is the second part of the guitar solo, and it starts with lick number 6.
Solo with Backing Track: Again, Mike plays the demo but this time specifically the solo part alongside the backtrack.
Why Learn Top Gun Anthem Song?
The song has a beautiful, soaring lead guitar part which is easily recognisable when you play it. If you don’t know how to play the viberto, bends, and sustain control on your chord play then this song will teach you how to do it.
Furthermore, it will help in improving your picking accuracy, sustain and phrasing and introduces you to dynamic control which is necessary if you want to master emotional guitar playing.
FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson
Q1. Who played the Top Gun Anthem?
Ans. Steve Stevens is the man who composed Top Gun Anthem, the song was written by Harold Faltermeyer. Steve played guitar and Faltermeyer played the keyboard during the recording of the song.
Q2. Which song did Tom Cruise play when he was in the bar?
Ans. In 1986, Top Gun Tom Cruise played “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Tom played this song, and other members of the Navy pilots joined in the movie scene.
Fun Fact: Top Gun Anthem won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Top Gun Anthem
Introduction
Song Arrangement Part 1
Song Arrangement Part 2
Song Demo
Solo Part 1
Solo Part 2
Solo with Backing Track
Introduction:
Top Gun Anthem is one of the iconic instrumental rock compositions in Hollywood which was composed for the movie in 1986 by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens. This song has some strong, melodic guitar-driven tracks which every guitarist no matter if they are beginner, intermediate or expert must learn to play.
Chords Used in Song Guitar Lesson
Arpeggios Verse & Chorus Chords: This song revolves around the lead guitar instrumental. But if you do want to learn about the arpeggios, then here’s how you should be playing them:
e|-----------0------------|
B|------1------1---------|
G|----0---0------0------|
D|-------------2--------|
A|--3------------------|
E|----------------------|
Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern of the song is as follows: D D U U D U.
- D = Down strum
- U = Up strum
Song Structure
Introduction: In this introduction your guitar instructor Mike Walker is going to teach you how to tune up a guitar for this song.
Song Arrangement Part 1: This particular section will show you how to play the melody part of the song and how you should be counting the bells which are present in the song to keep up with tune.
Song Arrangement Part 2: Here, you will be learning the next part of the song.
Song Demo: Here, Mike will show you how to play the entire song on guitar while keeping up with the backing track.
Solo Part 1: In this part Mike will show you how to play the guitar solo which comes at 2:45 minutes on the track. He breaks down this guitar solo in 9 licks.
Solo Part 2: This is the second part of the guitar solo, and it starts with lick number 6.
Solo with Backing Track: Again, Mike plays the demo but this time specifically the solo part alongside the backtrack.
Why Learn Top Gun Anthem Song?
The song has a beautiful, soaring lead guitar part which is easily recognisable when you play it. If you don’t know how to play the viberto, bends, and sustain control on your chord play then this song will teach you how to do it.
Furthermore, it will help in improving your picking accuracy, sustain and phrasing and introduces you to dynamic control which is necessary if you want to master emotional guitar playing.
FAQs – This Song Guitar Lesson
Q1. Who played the Top Gun Anthem?
Ans. Steve Stevens is the man who composed Top Gun Anthem, the song was written by Harold Faltermeyer. Steve played guitar and Faltermeyer played the keyboard during the recording of the song.
Q2. Which song did Tom Cruise play when he was in the bar?
Ans. In 1986, Top Gun Tom Cruise played “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Tom played this song, and other members of the Navy pilots joined in the movie scene.
Fun Fact: Top Gun Anthem won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance
Top Gun Anthem
Introduction
Song Arrangement Part 1
Song Arrangement Part 2
Song Demo
Solo Part 1
Solo Part 2
Solo with Backing Track
Explore More in English Songs
Introduction
Do you want to learn a classic blues rock song—one that almost everyone has heard and can get anyone grooving? You’re exactly where you need to be. Tune into the guitar lesson for Cream’s Sunshine of Your Love on Torrins.com, led by our expert tutor Steve Luciano.
He breaks down this song into Introduction, Chords, Rhythm, and shares great tips on everything from finger positioning to chord transitions, to ensure a smooth learning journey. You can also find tabs and lyrics for this song, along with the guitar tutorial.
Chords Used in Sunshine of Your Love Song Tutorial
Verse & Chorus Chords: Power Chords
This song heavily relies on 5th root power chords (two-note chords made of the root note and its fifth), making it a must-learn for mastering chord transitions and control. Some of the chords used in this lesson are D, C, and Ab.
Mastering these chord transitions will significantly improve your power chord fluency.
Strumming & Rhythm Pattern
The rhythm alternates between a DDD pattern and a DUD pattern, giving the song its signature groove.
Song Structure
Sunshine of Your Love follows a 24-measure form, making it an excellent song for developing rhythm consistency and smooth chord shifts.
- The intro starts with a power chord on the 6th string
- A few measures later, the riff transitions to the 5th string (Make sure the 6th string is muted!)
- The position changes again as the song progresses
Steve also points out parts of the song where he uses string bending. It’s a technique that adds emotion and character to notes, often giving the song a signature bluesy rock vibe.
Why Learn Sunshine of Your Love Song on Guitar?
Learning how to play this song on guitar helps you master techniques like string bending and gain fluency over power chords. Learning these techniques helps you add expressive dynamics to your playing, and power chords are essential for classic rock and blues.
Sunshine of Your Love is a perfect song to add to your repertoire if you wish to develop better finger positioning & control and enhance your rhythm skills with a structured song.
FAQs – Sunshine of Your Love Guitar Lesson
Q1: Can I learn the song Sunshine of Your Love on guitar without tabs and lyrics?
Sure, it’s possible — but why make it harder than it needs to be? The tabs and lyrics included in our tutorial are there to guide you through the structure, chord changes, and timing. Especially if you're still building confidence, they’ll save you hours of trial and error.
Q2: What techniques will this lesson help me improve?
This lesson is a goldmine for anyone looking to tighten their rhythm and power chord game. You'll get hands-on with strumming patterns, chord transitions, and some expressive string bending — all crucial techniques if you're aiming to play blues or classic rock with the right attitude and feel.
Fun Fact: The iconic riff of Sunshine of Your Love was directly inspired by Jimi Hendrix! After witnessing Hendrix's electrifying performance at London’s Saville Theatre on January 29, 1967, Cream’s bassist Jack Bruce went home and came up with the song’s signature riff that same night, and then the song was written on top of it. Guitarist Eric Clapton later described it as a tribute to Hendrix’s incredible playing.
Similar Pop Songs
Songs with Similar Difficulty
Introduction
Want to learn some popular tunes from the mid-'90s? Torrins has got you covered! Tune into our guitar song lesson on James Taylor’s version of the 1959 hit Handy Man. This song tutorial is led by our expert teacher, Steve Luciano, who has decades of experience teaching and playing guitar. He breaks down the Handy Man lesson into chords, rhythm, and strumming patterns to make learning this song a smooth process for you.
Fun fact: Did you know this song has been a hit twice? Handy Man was originally recorded by Jimmy Jones in 1959 and became a huge success, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nearly two decades later, James Taylor recorded his own mellow, acoustic version in 1977, which also became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Taylor a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. How cool is that?
This version of Handy Man is a great example of James Taylor’s signature acoustic fingerpicking style, incorporating unique harmonies and intricate transitions. If you’re looking for a simpler version, we’ve got that too—check it out on the Torrins website!
Chords Used in Handy Man Guitar Lesson
This song is played in the key of D and features some interesting chord transitions. Here are some of the key chords used:
- Main chords: D, A, and some others.
- When reharmonizing the second verse: Em, F#m7
- Slash chords to add depth and movement: A/C#, G/B, and a few others.
Tune into the complete Handy Man song lesson to know the rest of the chords.
Steve breaks down unique chord transitions specific to this song to help you capture its distinct, smooth sound.
Fingerpicking & Strumming Techniques
Unlike traditional fingerpicking, Handy Man features more of a plucking style—playing bass notes while plucking the strings together for a fuller sound.
- The song starts with pickup notes and incorporates hammer-ons to add subtle dynamics.
- If you’re not comfortable with fingerpicking, you can strum the entire song instead. It still sounds great!
Song Structure & Rhythm
This song follows a classic verse-chorus format.
- Keep an eye on chord transitions, especially when moving between slash chords, as they add a unique colour to the song.
- The multi-angle camera views (focused on fretting, strumming, and a complete overview) help you get a clear, close-up look at all movements –making learning much faster and more effective.
- Make use of tabs and lyrics for a smoother and more structured learning experience.
Why Learn the song Handy Man on guitar?
James Taylor’s Handy Man is a fantastic piece for learning fingerpicking while maintaining a steady rhythm. Plus, it’s an excellent exercise for improving chord transitions and adding finesse to your playing.
FAQs – Handy Man Guitar Lesson
Q1. Do I have to use fingerpicking?
You can strum the entire song if you prefer. However, fingerpicking brings out its full depth.
Q2. How can I make my transitions smoother?
Steve shares specific techniques for transitioning between chords effortlessly. Practising slowly and focusing on finger positioning will help.




































