Learn the intro to 'Stairway to Heaven' (guitar lesson w/ tabs)

In this lesson, I'll teach you how to play the intro riff to Stairway to Heaven. I'll show you tabs, but also give a tutorial on the chord positions needed, finger picking patterns, how to practice the difficult parts, given an introduction to barre chords, and everything else you'll need to play this classic Led Zeppelin song.

0:00 Playthrough
0:26 Lesson overview
1:46 1st chord (barring basics)
3:50 2nd & 3rd chords (walking bass notes)
5:30 4th chord (big jump to D/F#)
7:25 Final 3 chords & turnaround
9:21 Add the fingerpicking
10:42 Closing thoughts

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[whytoasty]

cant wait to play this in a guitar store

[Teeder]

Hi David, I would like to compliment you on your outstanding lesson on the introduction to “Stairway to Heaven”. The essence of great teaching is to put yourself into the shoes of your students. By doing so, you anticipate where they might struggle in the learning process, and you are then able to take extra measures to help them achieve before frustration, anger, or being overwhelmed take over and defeat your entire purpose for teaching the song in the first place! For example, guitar students are keen to learn this great song. You have anticipated parts of the introduction that can really frustrate players of all ages: plenty of barre chords, the quick change to D/F#, the changes in the picking pattern, etc. You have anticipated these potential challenges by suggesting: your lesson on barre chord strengthening, playing and repeating small sections on the introduction, learn the chord shapes vs trying to read confusing tabs, and you reinforced everything you said with chord diagrams, tabs, and a practice/rest schedule to build muscle memory.
I have probably forgotten to mention other great teaching strategies that you used, but the point is: you are providing pure teaching gold in this lesson, and I think that you should be commended for your planning, organization, and teaching of a fantastic, first class lesson! It’s a challenging song, and learning it will not be easy, but you have really provided guitar players with the best possible lesson to be successful.
Great teaching, David! You knocked this one out of the park, and you made it look so easy. That’s great teaching!

Ted

[Sandstorm]

I wish every YouTube guitar lesson was broken down and explained like this. The progression from blocked chords to finger picking makes so much sense - once the chord shapes are under your fingers it is much easier to concentrate on the picking patterns. Can't wait to try more of your lessons!!

[GautierGuitar]

This was a fantastic tutorial! I really appreciate the level of clarity/organization that all of your videos possess!

[Yakushev]

Really like this guy's respect for the boring but necessary practice! Practice makes perfect.

[Rahmeanthony]

The best tutorials on YouTube. I love it how he explains with guides, notes on each chord explanation, and exercises.

Thank you David

[benjaminkreimel]

This is by far the best Stairway To Heaven lesson online. Because you not only show us what and how to play it...you also show how to get there! Top Class

[markstacey]

This is absolutely the best guitar lesson on YouTube I've ever seen.... Many thanks...

[dreed]

Thanks for this. I've been trying to get this intro down for a long time and your approach helped me a ton. I too would LOVE a part 2!!! ?

[davidbucklew]

Most excellent!! Love how you use the bar chords also rather then playing in their first position.

[DaveE]

Amazing! By far the best tutorial I have seen. Started showing my son and he stopped me after the first 4 notes and said “no Stairway”. 12 years old and he already knows! 😂

[TooHardToHandle]

That was the most amazing tutorial ever… I clicked on three before you but had to get out cause they weren’t explaining as well but u my friend… wow… thank you thank you thank you took me 15 minutes to learn you legend!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[matinee]

Jez who the hell needs Marty....this guy is the bomb! Everything he teaches makes you wanna pick up the 🎸 surely this guy needs more recognition as a 👨‍🏫!!!

[garycook]

Wonderful lesson. I'm 68 and trying to learn to play. I don't know anyone that plays. I just like to entertain myself. Thanks.

[ColSeal]

God bless you man. Really, I love this, and I’ve been looking for an easy tutorial, you nailed it! Love ya man!

[ronniemcveigh]

At last a tutorial i can get my head round, from an aged' beginner, love it

[gertjankuipers]

What a nice, clear way of teaching! Your explanation is encouraging.

Thanks a lot!

[kaield]

I never took the time to learn this song and almost all other tutorials shown just the tabs or them playing, you shown all of the shapes and it helped a lot! Good vid

[I_.._I]

Great teacher and maybe the best lesson on stairway to heaven i have ever seen.

[Noctrl]

I just want to say this is the best guide/explanation I’ve seen. It has helped out so much. Thank you!!!