Learn To Play Stairway To Heaven

Have you been wondering how to play Stairway to Heaven? I am often asked that question. Stairway To Heaven is THE iconic rock song. So much so that Stairway to Heaven has been nearly played to death by guitar buyers in music stores worldwide.

Written in the heyday of progressive rock, Stairway to Heaven has everything - melody, harmony, power and tranquility. From its tingly start with recorders and acoustic guitar to its powerful finish it demonstrates how great a progressive rock band Led Zeppelin were. Jimmy Page was already an accomplished guitar player and session guitarist before he put the band Led Zeppelin together and this song demonstrates his grasp of a variety of styles and techniques.

The solo to Stairway to Heaven, great as it is, was "winged" according to Page and is, I believe, only the first or perhaps second take. These days is is common to record dozens of "takes" in the recording studio and even cut and paste between them. Not necessary for someone of Page's ability and creativity!

The lyrics of Stairway to Heaven are legendary, mystic, and have received all sorts of "hidden meaning" interpretations over the years, including one about playing it backwards to hear "satanic messages" (actually, any record played backwards sounds pretty satanic). Stairway to Heaven is possibly the most played rock riff next to Smoke on the water, it is one of those "never play in a music store" tunes as a result - and wouldn't you just love to play it? Well, this page will show you the chord and scale shapes you need and lead you to official music and TABs of the most played progressive rock song ever - Stairway to Heaven!

Intro photo is my own guitar, taken by me. Please do not copy.

I grew up with this music and it is still as popular as ever! That says something!

See more guitar photos and graphics here.

I am adding these chords because the Photo Gallery is not working well at present. You can see them here, plus other guitar photos and graphics I have uploaded recently.

Stairway to Heaven Intro - A minor in fifth position

A minor in 5th position. Pick the strings individually, 4, 3, 2, then 1. Remember guitar strings number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 from the thinnest to the thickest.

E with added 4th

E with added 4th, pluck string 4 and string 1 together, then 3, 2, then 1 This is a major chord with an added 4th, but sounds really poignant! Jimmy Page knows his harmony!

A minor, fifth position, with melody note C

Tricky because it involves picking two strings simultaneously - but you CAN do it! The third chord is another version of A minor in 5th position, the third is doubled by the little finger on high C, again pluck strings 1 and 4, then 3, 2, then 1

D major

Again, a simple D chord, but you must pluck strings 1 and 4, then 3, 2, then 1

F major 7th

Fifth chord of Stairway to Heaven, a slightly different picking pattern here! Chord 5 is F major seventh, pluck 1 and 4 together, then 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 4

Plucked G chord

You only play this G chord once. You need to pluck three strings, 6, 3 and 2, simultaneously with thumb, index and middle fingers.

Plucked A minor chord

A simple A minor chord, but picked as above with thumb plucking string 5, index and middle fingers plucking 3 and 2.

Watch Led Zeppelin play Stairway to Heaven, or to see how to play it yourself. These are fun.

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Plus String Orchestral Arrangements for Stairway to Heaven

Yes, as I said, EVERYONE wants to play Stairway to Heaven - it a a beautiful piece of music and Stairway to Heaven is not just for guitarists.

Here are some orchestral and concert band versions of Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin:

Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven Music Book

Composed by Led Zeppelin scoring for Concert Band; Score & Parts, instruments: Score; 120 pages

I am glad you visited my page on how to play Stairway to Heaven and I hope you have found it helpful. Please tell your friends about it and thank you for visiting!