Wild Horses

Description

What’s up, it's Mike from Guitar Tricks, teaching you "Wild Horses" as made famous by The Rolling Stones. This is a classic rock ballad based on R&B and country ideas that features a lush combination of acoustic and electric guitars.

This song features 3 guitar layers. Guitar 1 is an acoustic guitar that lays down a steady strumming foundation throughout. Guitar 2 is another acoustic guitar that adds a layer of arpeggiation and harmonics to the arrangement. Guitar 3 is a clean electric guitar that plays some country-influenced leads and fills throughout the song.

The tune starts off with a quiet intro, blending all 3 guitar layers to establish the mood. There are a number of dynamic peaks and valleys throughout the arrangement, with all guitar layers adjusting to add to the mix. The verses stay at a low dynamic, and build into each chorus section. Each chorus is a higher dynamic, but just enough to distinguish itself from the verse - after all, this is still a ballad!

The song also features a bridge section that's more of an interlude than a proper bridge, complete with a country-influenced guitar solo. There is also a verse interlude before the final chorus that brings the dynamic way down as the electric guitar plays more great country-ish licks overtop. The tune ends off with a climactic final chorus played at a higher dynamic to wrap up the song.

To play this tune using only one guitar, simply play Guitar 1 all the way through!

In the following lessons, we'll talk about steady acoustic strumming, dynamics, harmonics, and some country-influenced lead techniques. We are in the key of G and C major, with a 4/4 time signature, at a tempo of 71 BPM.