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On this post and video, we’ll try to learn to play the song Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin. This is one of their greatest song ever! (Black Dog is also by LedZep).  But did you know that this song did not rank to any charts? It was not even released as a single in their Led Zeppelin 4 album! Yeah, that’s right! That’s one cool trivia for you.

Also, about the lyrics. The lyrics is credited to Robert Plant. He and Jimmy Page wrote it while sitting by a fireplace at Headley Grage.

Robert plant wrote it while he is in a bad mood. I do not have specific reason but according to him he just scribble the lyrics on paper on that night. All of a sudden his hand was writing out the words, ‘There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold/And she’s buying a stairway to heaven.’ I just sat there and looked at the words and then I almost leapt out of my seat.”

How to Play Stairway to Heaven Intro

The intro for the song is all single notes. You can use your fingers or your pick but for the intro as well as the first verse, I recommend you use your fingers pick the strings.

There are a lot of chords for this song so your knowledge on the chords will be very helpful. Here are the chords:

Am, Bmaj7/G#, C/G, D/F#, Fmaj7, Am/B, Am

As you probably noticed, the bass notes are dropping from A to G#, to G, F#, F then B to A again.

For the Am chord, it’s in the fifth position/fret. In playing this part of the song, you need to have your index finger barring the 4 strings and then your 3rd string would be on the 7th fret on the D string. Those are the notes used for Am in this part of the song.

For picking, you use thumb on the 4th, 3rd and 2nd string and then you’d use 3rd finger (of the right hand) to play the E string. It will then be followed by the chord Bmaj7/G#.

With your first finger still barring the 4 strings, you remove your 3rd fretting finger from the D string and place it on the first string on the 8th fret. Your second finger will then on the 6th fret of the D string (the G# note). That’s the Bmaj7/G# chord form apparently.

After playing the last note of the Am (the 5th fret of the E string). You shift chord and use your thumb and 3rd finger to play the D string and E string on that second chord. Followed by the 2nd and 3rd string using your 3rd finger of the right hand. The 3rd finger of the right hand is the one that will play the last note for the Bmaj7/G#.

The next chord is a C major with G bass note. The first finger is still barring the 4 strings and that index finger is now playing the G note on the D string (the 5th fret). Put your pinky finger on the 8th fret, the C note. With your index finger barring the 2nd and 3rd string of the 5th fret, that is the C/G chord.

The thumb and 3rd finger of the right hand is still the recommended finger to play the D and E strings for the C/G chord. After playing the 2nd and 3rd string. You then shift on the D/F# chord with the F# bass on the D string and not on the 6th string.

 

Stairway to Heaven Chords and Lyrics

LED ZEPPELIN - Stairway To Heaven

   Am           G                C            D  
There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold 
              F                             G   Am  
and she's buying a stairway to  heaven 
Am                                 G                C                 D  
When she gets there she knows if the stores are all closed 
           F                                    G     Am  
with a word she can get what she came for 
C  D  F   Am                     C           G               D  
Oh___  oh____  and she's buying a stairway to heaven 
              C               D                F                Am  
There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure 
                C                       D                      F 
'cause you know sometimes words have two meanings 

       Am            G                   C                   D  
In a tree by the brook there's a songbird who sings 
                 F                                   G   Am          Am G C D F G Am
Sometimes all of her thoughts are misgiven 
G Am7 Am Dsus4 D                                 Am7 Am Em D C D
                     Oh___ it makes me wonder                
Am7 Am Dsus4 D                 Am7 Am Em D C D
Oh___  it makes me wonder                   

              C         G                Am  
There's a feeling I get when I look to the west  
            C         G             F  Am  
and my spirit is crying for leaving 
         C                     G                   Am  
In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees 
            C           G                       F  Am      C  G
and the voices of those who stand looking 
Am7 Am Dsus4  D                                      Am7 Am Em D C D  
                      Oh___  it makes me wonder                   
Am7 Am Dsus4  D                           Am7  Am  D  C  D  
Oh___  it  really makes me wonder                   

And it's whispered that soon if we all call the tune 
then the piper will lead us to reason 
And the new day will dawn for those who stand long 
and the forest will echo with laughter 

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow don't be alarmed now 
it's just a spring clean for the May queen 
Yes there are two paths you can go by but in the long run 
there's still time to change the road you're on 
...and it makes me wonder

Your head is humming and it won't go in case you don't know 
the piper's calling you to join him 
Dear lady can you hear the wind blow and did you know 
your stairway lies on the whispering wind 

D Dsus2 D Dsus4 D Dsus2 D Dsus4 C Cadd9 C Cadd9 C  

Am           G                         F G 
And as we wind on down the road 
Our shadows taller than our soul 
There walks the lady we all know 
Who shines white light and wants to show 
how everything still turns to gold 
And if you listen very hard 
the truth will come to you at last 
When all are one and one is all 
To be a rock and not to roll 

              F                            G  Am  
And she's buying a stairway to heaven.

Know How to Play Stairway to Heaven By Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is a band which created a big impression among fans with their unique rock band compositions. The band infused impressive guitar driven sounds with blues and rock which became an inspiration for many other upcoming bands in the era.

The songs Stairway to Heaven and Whole Lotta Love were the ones that helped them attain unprecedented fame and was critically praised by music lovers.

What Makes Stairway to Heaven By Led Zeppelin a Great Song?

1. The song Stairway to Heaven is an essential for every guitarist’s portfolio.
2. It is a classic composition by Led Zeppelin and most wanted numbers of all time.
3. The guitar solo is exceptionally well done and helps guitarists show their skills.

Why Stairway to Heaven Is Classified As Hard On Guitar?

The song Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin is an excellent piece of composition and ideal for any guitarist to learn. The song has a guitar solo which will bring the guitarist’s advanced skills to light and it will easily make any aspirant feel excited about playing on a guitar.

Learn More About The Band Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin is an English rock band which was officially formed in the year 1968. It originated from London with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham and John Paul Jones as its founding members. Jimmy was the lead guitarist in the band and the group had a strong guitar driven composition infused with blues and rock sounds.

The band had a good run until Bonham, the lead singer died and it was the end of the Led Zeppelin. The group witnessed critical acclaim and success with many of their compositions.

Stairway to Heaven continues to be one of the best hits. The band continued to release albums and didn’t release any singles during their career history.

The Album Stairway to Heaven Came From

The song Stairway to Heaven belongs to the album Led Zeppelin IV. The album came without any official title printed on the cover which led to the name of the brand marked with a ‘IV’ indicating its number. The album is also known as the Fourth Album, Untitled, The Hermit and The ZoSo.