"Tangerine" by Led Zeppelin - Guitar Lesson Description

Tangerine by Led Zeppelin is an acoustic masterpiece showcasing Jimmy Page’s exceptional ability to combine soulful melodies with intricate guitar techniques. Featured on their third album, Led Zeppelin III, this track delivers a haunting yet uplifting tone that has captivated listeners for decades. Our note-for-note guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com breaks down all the details of this timeless song, focusing on the key techniques: altered tunings, arpeggios, slides, and string bending. By mastering these techniques, you’ll not only be able to play Tangerine with authenticity but also elevate your overall guitar-playing ability. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Breakdown

Altered Tunings

One of the foundational elements of Tangerine is its use of open G tuning, a hallmark of many Jimmy Page compositions. Open G tuning allows for rich, resonant chords and opens up unique voicings and harmonic possibilities that define the song’s signature sound. This tuning creates a lush, full-bodied tone, perfectly complementing the emotional depth of the track.

Our lesson will guide you through tuning your guitar to open G, ensuring you replicate the song’s exact tonal character. Mastering altered tunings like this not only improves your ability to play Led Zeppelin classics but also inspires creativity in your own compositions. Open G tuning has been used by countless iconic guitarists, making it an essential tool for any guitarist’s arsenal.

Arpeggios

The arpeggios in Tangerine add a flowing, melodic quality to the song. Jimmy Page uses arpeggiated chord progressions to create a dynamic interplay between rhythm and melody, giving the track its delicate, introspective feel. Playing arpeggios requires precision and finger dexterity, as you pick individual notes within a chord to craft smooth, cascading lines.

Our lesson breaks down the arpeggios in Tangerine, teaching you how to execute them cleanly and evenly. Incorporating arpeggios into your playing helps develop finger independence and a refined sense of timing, making your overall technique more versatile and expressive.

Slides

Slides are a prominent feature in Tangerine, contributing to its emotive and seamless transitions between notes. This technique involves gliding your fretting hand along the string to connect notes smoothly, creating a fluid and expressive sound. Jimmy Page’s use of slides adds a lyrical, vocal-like quality to his melodies, enhancing the emotional impact of the song.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to execute slides effectively, focusing on achieving accuracy and maintaining consistent tone throughout the movement. Mastering slides will improve your fretboard navigation and add a polished, professional touch to your playing.

String Bending

String bending is another key technique featured in Tangerine. This expressive technique involves pushing or pulling a string to alter its pitch, adding emotion and depth to your notes. Jimmy Page’s use of string bending in the song creates subtle shifts in tension and release, drawing the listener into the music’s emotional core.

Our lesson will teach you how to perform string bends with precision and control, ensuring you hit the target pitch every time. String bending is an essential skill for any guitarist, as it enhances your ability to convey emotion and adds a dynamic element to your solos and melodies.

About Jimmy Page and His Influence

Jimmy Page is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock history. His work with Led Zeppelin redefined what could be achieved with the guitar, combining technical mastery with a deep understanding of musical composition. Tangerine showcases Page’s ability to craft emotive, melodic acoustic arrangements while seamlessly integrating advanced techniques.

Learning Tangerine not only provides insight into Page’s acoustic approach but also helps guitarists appreciate the artistry behind Led Zeppelin’s music. By studying Page’s techniques, players can expand their skills and develop a deeper connection to the instrument.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Altered Tunings
• Arpeggios
• Slides
• String Bending

Our Tangerine guitar lesson is the perfect resource for anyone looking to master this acoustic classic and develop their skills in the process. From altered tunings and arpeggios to slides and string bending, this lesson covers all the techniques that make the song so memorable. Whether you’re a Led Zeppelin fan or a guitarist seeking to expand your repertoire, this lesson will help you capture the essence of Jimmy Page’s playing and bring Tangerine to life. Start your journey today with Licklibrary.com!