I See Fire - Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” is a masterful blend of haunting melodies and intricate guitar work, making it a perfect song for those looking to expand their fingerpicking and acoustic guitar techniques. In our note-for-note lesson at Licklibrary, we dive deep into every nuance of the song, focusing on the unique guitar techniques used throughout the track. This lesson not only teaches you how to play the song as Ed Sheeran did, but also provides a valuable learning experience for advancing your guitar skills across a wide range of essential techniques. Danny Gill breaks down this classic pop track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitar in "I See Fire"

Ed Sheeran’s performance of “I See Fire” is characterised by its acoustic-driven arrangement, with the guitar playing a pivotal role in setting the tone of the song. Sheeran himself is known for his incredible finger-style and rhythmic guitar playing, combining subtle complexity with powerful emotion. This song, featured on the soundtrack of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, showcases Sheeran’s ability to create rich soundscapes using nothing more than his guitar and voice. It’s an excellent study in how minimalistic playing can still deliver deep impact when executed with precision and feeling.

Techniques Focused On in This Lesson

Fingerpicking Patterns

A standout element of "I See Fire" is its delicate finger-picking style. Sheeran uses a combination of steady thumb movement and alternating fingers to create a flowing, intricate pattern that perfectly complements his vocals. This lesson will help you master similar finger-picking techniques, which are essential for creating a fluid and melodic sound on acoustic guitar.

Benefit: Learning finger-picking is crucial for any guitarist looking to play in more nuanced styles. It allows you to develop independence between your thumb and fingers, resulting in more dynamic and expressive performances.

Open-String Riffs and Arpeggios

Throughout the song, you’ll encounter beautifully arranged open-string riffs and arpeggios. These open-string riffs provide a ringing, full sound that adds depth and dimension to the song’s arrangement. We will break down each section to ensure you hit the correct notes, making sure the open strings resonate beautifully alongside fretted notes.

Benefit: Incorporating open-string riffs into your playing gives you a fuller sound without needing extra strings or effects. Arpeggios, on the other hand, help refine your picking hand’s accuracy, making you more comfortable with intricate melodies.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

There are several moments in "I See Fire" where hammer-ons and pull-offs are used to embellish the melody lines. These techniques are seamlessly integrated into the song to create smooth transitions between notes, giving the music a more flowing and legato feel.

Benefit: Hammer-ons and pull-offs help improve finger strength and dexterity, enabling you to add fluidity to your playing. Mastering these techniques can also help you increase speed and articulation in your solos and rhythm work.

Slides and String Bending

Sliding between notes and incorporating light string bending is another key technique featured in the song. These movements add a more vocal-like quality to the guitar lines, enhancing the emotional expression of the music.

Benefit: Slides and string bending can make your playing sound more expressive. These techniques allow you to emulate a more vocal quality on the guitar, which is especially useful in creating smooth, connected phrases.

Travis Picking

Sheeran uses elements of Travis picking, a technique where the thumb alternates between bass notes while the other fingers pluck melody and harmony lines. This style creates a rich harmonic texture that makes the guitar sound more complete, even without accompaniment.

Benefit: Travis picking is a vital skill for guitarists aiming to build independence between thumb and fingers. It’s great for developing rhythmic complexity and creating self-sufficient guitar arrangements.

Use of Capo

“I See Fire” also makes use of a capo, a tool commonly used by Sheeran to adjust the key while maintaining familiar chord shapes. In this lesson, we explain where and why Sheeran uses the capo and how it affects the overall feel of the song.

Benefit: Understanding how to effectively use a capo expands your flexibility in adapting to different vocal ranges and adding variety to chord voicings. It’s a simple yet powerful tool for changing the tonality of your playing.

Influence of the Guitarist

Ed Sheeran, primarily a self-taught guitarist, is renowned for his rhythmic finger-style playing and innovative use of looping. His influences stem from acoustic greats like Damien Rice and John Mayer, as well as rhythmic styles often associated with hip-hop. This blend of styles has helped him create a distinctive sound where melody and rhythm merge seamlessly. His approach in “I See Fire” is minimalistic yet emotionally powerful, showcasing his ability to use the guitar as a storytelling tool. This lesson helps you capture that essence, allowing you to not only replicate the song but also understand the techniques behind Sheeran’s unique style.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Finger-picking
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Slides
• Open-string riffs
• Arpeggios
• String bending
• Travis picking
• Capo

By mastering these techniques through our in-depth lesson, you’ll not only be able to play “I See Fire” note-for-note but also integrate these versatile techniques into your overall guitar playing, enhancing both your musicality and technical proficiency.