Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, not only for its emotional lyrics and Sheeran’s signature vocal delivery but also for its captivating guitar work. Originally written for the movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, this song has become a staple for guitarists looking to expand their repertoire with a modern classic. If you’re eager to learn how to play “I See Fire” guitar chords, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will break down the song section by section, making it accessible for guitarists of various skill levels.
Getting Started with “I See Fire” Guitar Chords
Before diving into the specifics of “I See Fire” guitar chords, ensure your guitar is properly tuned to standard tuning (E A D G B e). Using a reliable tuner is crucial for achieving the correct sound. To match Ed Sheeran’s recording, you’ll need to place a capo on the 6th fret. While this might seem high, it’s key to replicating the song’s original key and feel. If the 6th fret capo position is too high for your vocal range, feel free to experiment with lower frets, but for this tutorial, we’ll refer to chords as if the capo were the nut (fret zero).
Ed Sheeran playing acoustic guitar
Decoding the Intro: Fingerstyle Guitar
The intro to “I See Fire” is instantly recognizable and sets a melancholic yet hopeful tone. It’s primarily a fingerstyle passage that might seem daunting initially, but with practice, it becomes manageable. Let’s break it down step-by-step:
- Initial Finger Placement: Begin by placing your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string and your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the B string. Hover your ring finger above the 4th fret of the G string, ready to hammer-on.
- Opening Pluck: Pluck the low E string, G string, and B string simultaneously.
- Hammer-On and Pull-Off: With your ring finger, hammer-on to the 4th fret of the G string and immediately pull-off, returning to the open G string. Remember, your index finger remains anchored on the 2nd fret of the B string.
- Pull-Off to Open G: Execute a pull-off from the 2nd fret (index finger) to the open G string.
- D String Phrase: Pick the open D string, then hammer-on with your index finger to the 2nd fret of the D string. Finish this phrase by striking the open G string.
- C Chord Transition: Transition towards a C chord shape. Pick the A string (5th string), D string (4th string), and G string (3rd string). Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the A string. Hammer-on the open D string with your index finger on the 2nd fret.
- D Chord Variation: Move to a D chord shape but without your middle finger. Pluck only the D string (4th string) and the open G string. Hammer-on with your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
- B String and Em Chord: Pick the B string with your ring finger on the 3rd fret. Transition into a standard E minor (Em) chord shape and pluck it.
- Percussive Element: On the second and fourth beats of certain measures, Ed Sheeran often incorporates a percussive hit by striking the guitar body with his strumming hand. This adds a rhythmic complexity and is a signature element of his playing style.
Mastering this intro takes time and dedicated practice. Don’t be discouraged if it sounds challenging at first. Break it down into smaller segments and practice each part slowly before gradually increasing speed. Patience is key when learning fingerstyle guitar techniques.
Verse Chords: Building the Foundation
The verse section of “I See Fire” is considerably simpler than the intro, focusing on chord progressions that create a gentle and narrative feel. Here’s a breakdown of the “I See Fire” guitar chords used in the verse:
- Em (E minor): Begin with an E minor chord, focusing on the lower three strings and the high E string.
- G: Move to a G chord, played with the bass note and your index finger on the 2nd fret of the G string.
- D: Transition to a D chord, incorporating the signature hammer-on on the G string (3rd string) as heard in the intro.
- C: Play a C chord, again with the hammer-on on the D string (4th string), mirroring the technique from the intro and D chord.
- A Power Chord (briefly): On the second repetition of this progression, the C chord is briefly replaced by an A power chord. This is played on the open A string with your index and middle fingers barring the 2nd fret of the D and G strings.
- Verse Ending – Am (A minor): As the verse concludes, shift to an A minor shape. Strum the open A string, the 2nd fret of the D string, and the 1st fret of the B string.
- G (Inverted): Next, play an inverted G chord. This variation has the B note in the bass. Finger it by placing your index finger on the 2nd fret of the A string (5th string), leaving the G string open, and placing your finger on the 3rd fret of the B string.
- C Major (with hammer-on): Finally, return to the C major chord, including the hammer-on on the D string (4th string).
Notably, in the second verse, the final chord progression (from A minor to C major) is repeated, adding a slight variation to the structure.
Guitar Chord Diagram for Em, G, D, C, Am
Chorus Chords: Uplifting and Memorable
The chorus of “I See Fire” provides a lift in energy and emotion, characterized by a more straightforward and singable chord progression. The “I See Fire” guitar chords for the chorus are:
- Em (E minor): Start with a standard E minor chord, strumming the open E string along with the D, G, and B strings.
- C: Transition to a C chord, including the hammer-on on the D string (4th string) – from open to 2nd fret with your index finger.
- D: Move to a D chord, strumming the open D string, B string (3rd fret with ring finger), and open G string. Incorporate the hammer-on on the G string (2nd fret with index finger).
- Em (E minor): Return to the E minor chord to complete the cycle.
This Em-C-D-Em sequence is repeated twice. On the final repetition of the chorus, an A chord with an open G string is added at the end, providing a slight harmonic shift.
In the second chorus, the playing style shifts towards more strumming and less fingerpicking. While the hammer-ons are less prominent, feel free to incorporate them subtly to add your personal touch and maintain rhythmic interest.
Bridge Chords: Simple and Strummed
The bridge section of “I See Fire” maintains the simplicity of the chorus, focusing on strummed chords to create a build-up towards the final chorus. The “I See Fire” guitar chords for the bridge are:
- Am (A minor): Begin with a strummed A minor chord.
- Em (E minor): Move to a strummed E minor chord.
- G: Play a strummed G chord (with the open 6th string bass note).
- D: Finish with a strummed D chord.
This Am-Em-G-D progression is repeated twice. It then transitions to Am-G-C-D, with a slight variation in the G chord. In this instance, the G chord has the B note in the bass (inverted G chord), followed by C and D, leading back into the final chorus. The final chorus is also primarily strummed, maintaining the energetic feel established in the bridge.
Conclusion: Adding “I See Fire” to Your Guitar Repertoire
Learning to play “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran on guitar is a rewarding endeavor. While the intro presents a fingerstyle challenge, the verse, chorus, and bridge sections are relatively accessible, making it a song suitable for intermediate players and ambitious beginners. If the intro feels too complex initially, focus on mastering the verse and chorus chords first. You can always revisit the intro as your fingerstyle skills develop.
“I See Fire” is not only a beautiful song to play and sing, but it’s also an excellent piece for developing fingerstyle technique, chord transitions, and rhythmic accuracy on the guitar. Adding this song to your repertoire will enhance your musicality and provide a great piece to perform and enjoy. So, grab your guitar, put on your capo, and start practicing these “I See Fire” guitar chords today!
