Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire” resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, not only as a standalone hit but also as the poignant soundtrack to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Commissioned by director Peter Jackson himself, upon recommendation from his daughter, Sheeran crafted this evocative song in a mere 48 hours in New Zealand. His personal connection to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the first book he ever read, fueled the song’s heartfelt authenticity. If you’re looking to capture the magic of Middle-earth on your guitar, learning I See Fire Guitar Chords is a fantastic place to start. This guide will break down the song’s structure and chords, making it accessible for guitarists of varying skill levels.
Getting Started with “I See Fire” Guitar Chords
Before diving into the specific sections, ensure your guitar is in standard tuning. Using a reliable tuner is crucial for accuracy. To match Ed Sheeran’s recording, place a capo on the 6th fret. This effectively raises the pitch and simplifies some chord shapes. While you can experiment with lower capo positions to suit your vocal range, this tutorial will refer to chords as if the capo were at fret zero for clarity and ease of understanding i see fire guitar chords.
Decoding the Intro Guitar Chords and Fingerpicking
The intro to “I See Fire” is instantly recognizable and sets a captivating mood. It’s built around fingerpicking and requires a bit of dexterity. Let’s break down the initial sequence to master these i see fire guitar chords in the intro.
Begin by fretting the second fret of the G string with your index finger and the fifth fret of the B string with your pinky finger. Position your ring finger above the fourth fret of the G string, ready to hammer-on. Pluck the low E, G, and B strings together. Then, execute a hammer-on and pull-off on the G string’s fourth fret using your ring finger, while maintaining your index finger’s position. Follow this with a pull-off from the second fret (index finger) to the open G string.
Next, pluck the open D string and then hammer-on with your index finger to the second fret of the D string, finishing the phrase by striking the open G string. Transition to a C chord shape, plucking the A, D, and G strings. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the A string and hammer-on to the open D string with your index finger on the second fret.
Moving forward, form a D chord shape, omitting your middle finger. Pluck the D string and the open G string, then hammer-on with your index finger on the second fret of the G string. Afterward, pick the B string with your ring finger on the third fret. Conclude this section by playing a standard E minor chord. Listen closely to the original recording to grasp the rhythm and nuances of this intro. Ed Sheeran often incorporates percussive hits by striking the guitar body with his strumming hand on beats two and four, adding a signature rhythmic element.
While the intro might present an initial challenge, consistent practice is key. Like any guitar skill, mastering this fingerpicking pattern for i see fire guitar chords in the intro comes with dedication and patience.
Verse Guitar Chords: Simplicity and Emotion
The verse section of “I See Fire” offers a welcome respite in terms of complexity, focusing on emotive chord progressions. These i see fire guitar chords are more accessible, allowing you to concentrate on the song’s lyrical content and feeling.
Start with an E minor chord, strumming the bottom three strings and the high E string. Transition to a G chord, using only the bass notes and your index finger on the second fret of the G string.
The progression continues with a D chord, incorporating the familiar hammer-on on the G string (from open to the second fret). Then, move to a C chord, also with the hammer-on technique. In the second repetition of the verse progression, the C chord is replaced by an A power chord (simply the open A string with the D and G strings fretted at the second fret with your index and middle fingers).
To conclude the verse, shift to an A minor shape. Play the open A string, the second fret on the D string, and the first fret on the B string. Follow this with a G chord, but with the bass note shifted to B. This inverted G chord is played with your index finger on the second fret of the A string, open G string, and third fret on the B string. Finally, return to the C major chord with its characteristic hammer-on. Note that in the second verse, this concluding part is repeated, adding a slight variation to the structure.
Chorus Guitar Chords: Uplifting and Memorable
The chorus of “I See Fire” is arguably the most straightforward part of the song, both melodically and harmonically. These i see fire guitar chords are relatively simple and create the song’s anthemic feel.
The chorus progression consists of Em, C, D, and back to Em. The Em is played in its standard form, strumming the open E string along with the D, G, and B strings.
Next is the C chord, again with the hammer-on on the D string (from open to the second fret). The D chord follows, strumming the open D string, B string (fretted at the third fret with your ring finger), and the open G string, which is then hammered-on with your index finger to the second fret. The chorus cycle concludes by returning to the Em chord.
This Em-C-D-Em sequence repeats twice. At the end of the second repetition, an A chord with an open G string is introduced as a transition. In the second chorus, the strumming pattern becomes more prominent, and the percussive hits are less emphasized. While the hammer-ons are technically optional in the chorus, incorporating some can add a personal touch and dynamic variation to your accompaniment.
Bridge Guitar Chords: Building Intensity
The bridge section maintains the simplicity of the chorus in terms of chord shapes, but introduces a slight variation in the progression to build intensity before the final chorus. These i see fire guitar chords create a sense of momentum and emotional build-up.
The bridge utilizes a straight strumming pattern through Am, Em, G, and D chords. All chords are played in their conventional shapes, with the G chord using an open fifth string. This Am-Em-G-D progression repeats twice. The bridge concludes with a modified progression: Am, G (this time with B as the bass note, similar to the verse), C, and D. This final sequence smoothly transitions back into the last chorus, which also adopts a strumming-based pattern.
Tips for Mastering “I See Fire” Guitar Chords
Learning “I See Fire” on guitar is a rewarding endeavor. The intro presents the most significant technical hurdle, but it remains within reach for dedicated learners. If you’re new to guitar, consider starting with the verse and chorus sections to build familiarity with the i see fire guitar chords and strumming patterns. You can then tackle the intro as your fingerpicking skills develop. Alternatively, exploring easier songs first can build a solid foundation before approaching “I See Fire”.
Regardless of your starting point, “I See Fire” is a beautiful and enriching song to add to your repertoire. It offers a great opportunity to refine your fingerpicking, chord transitions, and strumming techniques, all while learning a truly captivating piece of music. Embrace the challenge, practice consistently, and enjoy the journey of learning to play “I See Fire” on guitar.
