In My Time of Dying by Led Zeppelin – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

“In My Time of Dying” is one of Led Zeppelin’s most raw, blues-drenched and powerful tracks, featured on their 1975 album Physical Graffiti. Clocking in at over 11 minutes, this slide guitar-driven epic is a masterclass in dynamics, groove, and emotion. Based loosely on a traditional gospel blues tune, the Zeppelin version turns it into a thunderous tour de force, led by Jimmy Page’s relentless riffing and intricate slide work. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson breaks down every fiery phrase and rhythmic twist in stunning detail, teaching you exactly how to capture the song’s swampy intensity and technical brilliance.

This lesson focuses on four essential techniques: altered tunings, slides, vibrato, and barre chords. Each technique is critical to replicating the sound and feel of the track, and the lesson is designed to help guitarists master them in the context of one of Led Zeppelin’s most compelling performances. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Techniques Used

Altered Tunings

“In My Time of Dying” is played in open A tuning (or open G when detuned), which gives the guitar its distinctive resonant sound. This tuning allows for full, open chords and easy access to drone notes when using a slide, enabling Page to move fluidly between rhythm and lead parts.

Benefit to the player: Working with altered tunings enhances your creativity and opens new doors for chord shapes, voicings, and melodic ideas. Open tunings are ideal for slide playing and are widely used in blues, folk, and acoustic rock styles.

Slides

The hallmark of this song is its aggressive and expressive slide playing. Page uses a slide throughout the track to glide between notes and create vocal-like phrasing, moving smoothly across frets with sharp precision and emotion.

Benefit to the player: Slide guitar requires a different kind of control than fretted playing. Learning this technique sharpens your intonation, muting, and left-hand dynamics while allowing for new expressive capabilities. It’s an essential skill for players exploring blues and roots music.

Vibrato

Page uses vibrato with his slide to add life and texture to sustained notes, especially in the slower, more dynamic moments of the track. His vibrato gives the slide playing a human, almost vocal quality that deepens the emotional impact.

Benefit to the player: Vibrato is a key expressive tool that enhances phrasing and gives your notes character. Developing a strong, controlled vibrato helps your playing stand out and sound more musical, especially in slower or sustained passages.

Barre Chords

Although much of the song is driven by slide and open strings, Page also uses barre chords to fill out the rhythm and power up key transitions—particularly in the heavier, riff-based sections. These barre chord passages provide the song with weight and drive.

Benefit to the player: Barre chords are essential for rhythm guitarists and allow you to play full chords across the fretboard in any key. They improve finger strength, chord switching, and hand positioning—making them foundational to confident rhythm playing.

About the Song and Guitar Style

“In My Time of Dying” blends Delta blues roots with Zeppelin’s unmistakable hard rock attitude. The song’s foundation is Jimmy Page’s resonator-style electric slide guitar played in an open tuning, allowing for rich drone notes and expressive slides that mimic the human voice. The performance is spontaneous and organic, shifting from delicate, almost whisper-like passages to full-on rock fury with seamless fluidity.

Page uses minimal effects here, relying on technique and dynamics to create tension and release. The track is a workout for any guitarist, requiring precise slide control, muting technique, rhythmic accuracy, and touch-sensitive vibrato—all delivered at breakneck intensity.

About the Guitar Player – Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His genius lies not only in his iconic riffs and solos, but in his ability to fuse multiple genres—blues, folk, classical, and Eastern influences—into something uniquely his own. In “In My Time of Dying,” Page channels the spirit of Delta blues legends like Robert Johnson and Blind Willie Johnson, but filters it through a wall of rock energy and modern arrangement.

Page’s slide playing on this track is raw and emotional, showcasing his fearless approach to improvisation and dynamic expression. Studying this track gives guitarists a rare look into Page’s roots-oriented playing style and his masterful control of tone and phrasing.

Summary

Our In My Time of Dying guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com takes you deep into one of Led Zeppelin’s most intense and emotionally charged recordings. From open-tuned slide licks to thunderous barre chord riffs, this song is a technical and expressive challenge that will push your guitar playing to the next level.

Whether you’re new to slide guitar or looking to master altered tunings, this lesson delivers the guidance and breakdowns needed to replicate Jimmy Page’s haunting tone and fearless playing style. By focusing on altered tunings, slides, vibrato, and barre chords, you’ll build a powerful skill set that goes far beyond this song alone.

This lesson is perfect for intermediate to advanced players who want to explore the deeper, more soulful side of Led Zeppelin’s catalogue—and unlock the magic of Page’s iconic slide work in the process.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Altered Tunings
• Slides
• Vibrato
• Barre Chords

Learn “In My Time of Dying” the way Jimmy Page played it with LickLibrary’s note-for-note breakdown—an essential lesson in groove, grit, and the blues-soaked roots of rock guitar.