Creator Area
Sign in Creator Area

Practice Studio

Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

SECTIONS

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key A minor
Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven guitar tab video
Mr. Tabs
Mr. Tabs Top Contributor
YouTube: 1.1Msubs 6.4Mviews
Creator Page →
PLAY WITH BACKING TRACK
·
–50¢ 0 +50¢
· Tap to start

Your browser will ask for microphone permission.

Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Led Zeppelin IV (Deluxe Edition) album cover
Led Zeppelin IV (Deluxe Edition)
1971 8:03
Listen on Spotify
Led Zeppelin Rock 1971 A minor
Capo Advisor 0 A minor · Original key

About Stairway to Heaven

"Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin was released on 8 November 1971 on the band's untitled fourth studio album via Atlantic Records. Written by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant, it is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. For electric guitar players, the track is a comprehensive study, moving from delicate fingerpicked arpeggios through mid-song melodic passages to Page's iconic, blues-driven solo, making it a rewarding and technically rich piece to learn across multiple styles.

  • Jimmy Page composed the music, making the song a showcase of his range from acoustic fingerpicking to electric lead work.
  • The song progresses through distinct sections, giving guitarists practice in dynamics, clean tones, and high-gain lead playing within one track.
  • Released in 1971, it appeared on Led Zeppelin's untitled fourth album, one of the best-selling rock records in history.

How to Play Stairway to Heaven

Key: A minor · Tempo: 82 BPM · Difficulty: Medium

Learn the sections in order of difficulty rather than song order: begin with the fingerpicked Am arpeggio intro, which requires the right hand to cleanly separate the bass note from the treble pattern at a relaxed 82 bpm. The mid-section strumming is straightforward, but the real challenge is Page's pentatonic-based solo, which combines fast pull-offs, bends, and a signature descending run that many players rush or play with imprecise intonation. A common pitfall is neglecting the intro's dynamics and playing it too evenly; the arpeggios need subtle accent variation to capture the original feel. Use the section loop on the solo's descending phrase to isolate and nail the bend targets before adding speed.

Loop each section and focus on clean, even timing rather than speed, with the metronome at 82 BPM.

Fender Telecaster
Guitar

Fender Telecaster

Jimmy Page's 1958 Telecaster (gifted by Jeff Beck) delivered the bright, spanky single-coil attack that defined Led Zeppelin I's raw, bluesy edge. Its snappy treble cut through the mix on early tracks before Page switched to the warmer Les Paul for the band's heavier sound.

Gibson Les Paul Standard
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Standard

Page's 1959 Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers became the sonic backbone of Led Zeppelin from 1969 onward, its warm mahogany body and dynamic unpotted pickups creating the sustain-rich, touch-sensitive tone heard on 'Whole Lotta Love' and 'Black Dog.'

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Guitar

Gibson Les Paul Custom

While Page primarily used the Les Paul Standard, a Custom's thicker body and tonal characteristics would complement his dynamic playing style, offering similar warmth with potentially enhanced bottom-end punch for Zeppelin's heavier arrangements.

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)
Amp

Marshall Plexi (1959 Super Lead)

The Marshall 1959 Super Lead Plexi was Page's primary amplifier from Led Zeppelin II onward, cranked past 7 for natural power-tube saturation and natural breakup that responded dynamically to his pick attack and volume knob control.

Vox AC30
Amp

Vox AC30

Page deployed the Vox AC30 in the studio for cleaner, chiming tones and layering textures that added dimension to Led Zeppelin's arrangements, offering a vintage British tone that complemented the Marshall's aggression.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Page's Vox Cry Baby wah became iconic on 'Dazed and Confused,' its expressive sweep adding vocal-like character to his lead work throughout Led Zeppelin's catalog, integral to the band's psychedelic and blues-rock textures.

Recommended for You

Play with Backing Track

Play with Backing Track

Solo (Backing Track)

Solo (Backing Track)