I need help on how to play Stairway To Heaven on guitar?

Question

In stairway to heaven, in the fourth section, how to you play B, G, and A without playing D?

This part:
E|-----------------|
B|-0-1-1---------|
G|-0-2-2---------|
D|-----------------|
A|-2-0-0---------|
E|-----------------|

Answer 1

I am not sure where you got the tab from but it is incorrect. (This is often the case with internet tab sites) The part you are referring to is simply a G major chord followed by an A minor chord (play the G once and the A minor twice)

If you wish to play it as shown then you will use your thumb to pluck the notes on the A string and your index and middle to pluck the notes on the G and B strings. It is easier to simply play the G major chord followed by the A minor chord and only strum the inner four strings (D string included)



I have been playing this song since the late 70s and have taught it to hundreds of students (the correct version!)

Answer 2

Very simply, you hit the A string with the pick and you pluck the other two with your fingers. That's how Jimmy did it. Alternatively, you can mute the D string with your fourth finger. You just lay your fourth finger on the string without fretting. This mutes the D and you play exactly that. Another way is to just play the chords normally. E minor and A minor.



Rock on mate!

Answer 3

My best advice would be to get lessons & to build up to playing that song, although it isn't particularly hard its one that i hear countless self-taught guitarists butcher & i know headwrecks people that work in instrument stores. My mate says ''stairway to heaven/Wonderwall/Viva La Vida/Twilight bellas lullaby'' are played far too often.

Answer 4

Use your fingers or mute the D string.



Simple.



You should be using your fingers for that part anyway.

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/l/led_zeppelin/stairway_to_heaven_intro_tab.htm



5th beat... why are aren't you asking about that? There's a lot going on in the song that makes it pretty obvious that you should be using your fingers. I don't know how you made it 7 bars in without realizing that.