About this Backing Track:
This is our Ed Sheeran backing track so you can play the guitar parts from the ‘Thinking Out Loud‘ acoustic guitar lesson.
Thinking Out Loud Guitar Lesson
In this comprehensive tutorial, Danny Gill breaks down the soulful ballad "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran, teaching guitarists how to capture the essence of this modern classic. Covering both rhythm and lead techniques, Danny takes you through each section of the song, including the iconic chord progressions, finger-style patterns, and the smooth, melodic solo. You'll start by learning the fingerpicking approach that drives the verse, with its mix of delicate hammer-ons and pull-offs, and the use of open chords. Danny also demonstrates how to add dynamics and phrasing to give the song its signature groove. He highlights Ed Sheeran’s percussive strumming techniques that add texture to the rhythm, breaking down how to alternate between fingerpicking and strumming to match the feel of the original track. For lead guitar enthusiasts, Danny dives into the tasteful solo, focusing on the pentatonic scale shapes and expressive bends that make it stand out. He guides you step by step through each lick, showing how to achieve the smooth, lyrical quality of Sheeran's playing. Along with these practical tips, Danny emphasises key elements like vibrato, slides, and dynamics to help you capture the song’s emotion. Whether you're looking to master the rhythm or add soulful touches to your lead playing, Danny Gill’s breakdown of "Thinking Out Loud" equips you with the tools and techniques to nail this acoustic hit.
