IntermediateRockKey of Am072 BPM

Stairway to Heaven (Intro)

Led Zeppelin

Chord Chart
Am    = x 0 2 2 1 0
Am/G# = 4 0 2 2 1 0
Am/G  = 3 0 2 2 1 0
Fmaj7 = 1 3 3 2 1 1
G/B   = x 2 0 0 3 3
C     = x 3 2 0 1 0
D     = x x 0 2 3 2

Strumming Pattern

Fingerpicking: p-i-m-a pattern

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About This Song

The intro to Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (1971) is one of the most recognized guitar passages in rock history.

The Descending Bass Line

The magic is the chromatic descending bass line: Am → Am/G# → Am/G → Fmaj7. The bass note descends by half steps (A → G# → G → F) while the top strings maintain an Am chord shape.

The Build

Start very softly and let the dynamics grow naturally as the song progresses.