'Achilles Last Stand Remasters' by Led Zeppelin - Guitar Tutorial

            
Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand
 
         From the CD set `Remasters`
                 Written by Page/Plant
                 Atlantic Records  82371-2
 
         This is not the complete song. This version is the way I play it.
 The entire song encompasses 6-7 guitar parts, all layered, and it would
 be too much effort to do them all. Besides, what good would it do? If you
 are playing this song, you cannot hope to play all the parts at once.
 Better to go straight through, playing the parts which are most prominent
 at that particular point in the song. The song was partially transcribed
 earlier by Charles Eric Horowitz (ceh1@acpub.duke.edu). The song is in G.
 
 Jimmy Pena - jimmy@walrus.com
 
 | = not a standard bar line; just used to separate music
 ~ = vibrato or held note
 x = percussive note with no pitch; muted note
 . = staccato; mute the note immediately after striking it
 h = hammer on
 p = pull off
 s = slide
 b = bend string up to indicated pitch/fret
 r = release bend to indicated string/fret
 / = slide up from infinity
  = slide down into infinity
 
 
 [Intro] Let bottom note ring throughout, and open G (when it is played)
 
    Em9                         F#m(add b6)
 e:-------------2p0----------|--------------2p0--------------------|
 B:----------3------3p0------|-----------3-------3p0---------------|
 G:-0------0-------------0---|--0------2--------------0------------|
 D:------4-------------------|-------4-----------------------------|
 A:----2---------------------|-----4-------------------------------|
 E:-0------------------------|--2----------------------------------|
 
 [Intro2]
     F#m7(add 4)
 e:----------------0--------------------------------------------------|
 B:------------0--(0)-------------------------------------------------|
 G:--0------2---------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------4-----------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:--2----------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 1]
     F#m/E     Em                                 D6/E
 e:----9.-------7----7~-----------------------------7~----------------|
 B:---10.-------8----8~-----------------------------7~----------------|
 G:---11.-------9----9~-----------------------------7~----------------|
 D:------------------------7-7--7-7-8-9--7-7--------7~----------------|
 A:------------------------------------------7-7----------------------|
 E:----------------------------------------------0--------------------|
 
 [Riff 2a]
                               D/E
 e:---------9------7~----------------5~-------------------------------|
 B:--------10------8~-----------7----7~-------------------------------|
 G:--------11------9~-----------7----7~-------------------------------|
 D:-----------------------------7-------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:---0~--------------------0~----------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 2b]
                                    D/E
 e:---------9------7~----------------7~-------------------------------|
 B:--------10------8~-----------7----7~-------------------------------|
 G:--------11------9~-----------7----7~-------------------------------|
 D:-----------------------------7-------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:---0~--------------------0~----------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 3]
     E                                       F5
 e:---------------------------------------|---------|-----------------|
 B:--9---7--8--9--------------------------|---------|-----------------|
 G:--9---7--8--9---7-8-9-9--7-8-9--7-9----|--10~----|--10~~----------|
 D:--9---7--8--9---7-8-9-9--7-8-9--7-9----|--10~----|--10~~----------|
 A:---------------------------------------|---------|-----------------|
 E:---------------------------------------|---------|-----------------|
 
 [Ascending octave progression 1]
    Em
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:--4s5----5s7---7s9-----10-----10s12--------------------------------|
 A:------7------9-----10------12--------14----------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Ascending octave progression 2]
    C(add9 #11)
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:--7s9-----11----12-----12s14-----14s16-----------------------------|
 D:------10-----12----14---------16--------17s12----------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Ascending octave progression 3]
    Em
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-2s4----5----5s7---7s9-----9s11------------------------------------|
 D:-----5----7------9-----10-------12s9-------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Ascending octave progression 4]
     C(add9 #11)                             F#m/E     Em
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--7s8----10----10s12------13------15--------17s19---17--17~~~------|
 G:------9-----11---------12------14-----16---------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 4a] - the notes in ()`s can be played, if you are skilled enough
 
                        rake
 e:---(9.)---(7)-(7~)----`12--9---------------------------------------|
 B:--(10.)---(8)-(8~)---`10-----10--10b12--10--8~---------------------|
 G:--(11.)---(9)-(9~)---11--------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 4b] - the notes in ()`s can be played, if you are skilled enough
                              rake
 e:--------------------(7~)----`10---7--------------------------------|
 B:--------------------(7~)---`7-------8--8s10--7---------------------|
 G:--------------------(7~)---7--------------------7~-----------------|
 D:--(7)-(7)-----------(7~)-------------------------------------------|
 A:----------(7)-(7)--------------------------------------------------|
 E:-----------------(0)-----------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 4c]
                        rake
 e:---(9.)---(7)-(7~)----`12--9-----9b10---9--7~----------------------|
 B:--(10.)---(8)-(8~)---`10-----10------------------------------------|
 G:--(11.)---(9)-(9~)---11--------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 4d]
                               rake
 e:---------------------(7~)----`10--7----7s9--------|----------------|
 B:---------------------(7~)---`7------8------10-----|----------------|
 G:---------------------(7~)---7-----------------11--|--9b11r9---9~---|
 D:--(7)-(7)------------(7~)-------------------------|----------------|
 A:----------(7)-(7)---------------------------------|----------------|
 E:-----------------(0)------------------------------|----------------|
 
 [Riff 5a]
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:---------8--------7--5---7b8---------------------------------------|
 G:--11-------9--------------------7b9r7------------------------------|
 D:----11-------9-9------------------------9--------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 5b]
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--8-8--------7-----------------------------------------------------|
 G:------9-9-------7------9--7----9b11--7b9---------------------------|
 D:----------9-------7-7-----------------------7----------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 5c]
 
 e:-9---9--------7----------------------------------------------------|
 B:-------10---------8-------10------10b12----8b10r8------------------|
 G:----------11--------9-9-------9----------------------9-------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 5d]
 
 e:--7-7--------5-5---------------------------------------------------|
 B:------8-8--------7-------8--7--8b10---8b10-------------------------|
 G:----------9--------7-7------------------------11-------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 6a]                     [Riff 6b]
 
 e:-------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|
 B:--8-8--------8b10r8------|--7-7--------7b8r7-----|-----------------|
 G:------9-9----------------|------7-7--------------|---9b11---9--9---|
 D:----------9--------------|----------7------------|-----------------|
 A:-------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|
 E:-------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------|
 
 [Riff 7a]
     Em
 e:-------0------0------0-----0---------------------------------------|
 B:-----0------0------0-----0-----------------------------------------|
 G:--------------------------------0----------------------------------|
 D:--2------4------5------7------5----4p2-----------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 7b]
     C(add9 #11)
 e:----------2p0-------2p0--------------------------------------------|
 B:-------3------3----------3-----------------------------------------|
 G:-----0----------------------0--0-----------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:--3--------------3-------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 7c]                          [Riff 7d]
     C(add9 #11)
 e:---------------0------2p0-----0-|----------2p0---------------0-----|
 B:-------3----------3--------3----|--------3-----3---------------3---|
 G:-----0---0--0-------------------|------0-------------------0-----0-|
 D:--------------------------------|----2-------------4--2--4---------|
 A:--3-----------------------------|--3-------------------------------|
 E:--------------------------------|----------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 8]
    Em                                      D
 e:-7-7-7-7--7-7-7-7--7-7-7-7--7-7-7-7---7----------------------------|
 B:-8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7---8--7-------------------------|
 G:-9-9-9-9--9-9-9-9--9-9-9-9--9-9-9-9---9--7-------------------------|
 D:-----------------------------------------7-------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
    C
 e:-8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7---8----------------------------|
 B:-8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7--8-8-8-7---8--7-------------------------|
 G:-9-9-9-7--9-9-9-7--9-9-9-7--9-9-9-7---9--7-------------------------|
 D:-----------------------------------------7-------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 9]
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--5s7--5--5~~----7s8--7--5---3---5---------------------------------|
 G:------------------------------------5~~~---------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 10]
               Repeat 4x
 e:---------|--9s12--12~--|---12ss15~~--------------------------------|
 B:---------|-10s12--12~--|---12ss17~~--------------------------------|
 G:-5sssss9-|-------------|-------------------------------------------|
 D:---------|-------------|-------------------------------------------|
 A:---------|-------------|-------------------------------------------|
 E:---------|-------------|-------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 11a]                      [Riff 11b]
     E                           E
 e:----------------------------|--------------------------------------|
 B:--------------8~---7--8--x--|------------7-------------------------|
 G:--------------9~---7--9--x--|------------7-------------------------|
 D:--------7-9-----------------|-------7-9--7---9-9-7-7---------------|
 A:--7-9-9---------------------|-7-9-9------------------9-------------|
 E:----------------------------|--------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 12]
     Em                                C(add9 #11)
 e:--0-(0)~-----------------------------0-(0)~--------------0---------|
 B:--0-(0)~-----------------------------3-(3)~-----------------3--3p0-|
 G:--0--0-------------------------------0-(0)~------0--(0)------------|
 D:--2-(2)----4~---5~---7~--5~---4p2----x-------2~--------------------|
 A:--2-(2)------------------------------3-(3)~----------3-------------|
 E:--0-(0)~-----------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Riff 13] - the section where the guitars are randomly brought to the
                 foreground - cleaned up a bit
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:-13--12---15b17~~------------------------------------12--13--12----|
 G:-----------------------12b14r12~~~-----14b16r14~-------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------15b17----15-------------------------------------------|
 B:-15b17~-------------------15b17~--------12b13----12----------------|
 G:-----------------------------------------------------14--12--------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-----------------------------------15b17~------15--12------12------|
 B:------------12--13b15----13.--12-----------------------15------15--|
 G:--14b16~-----------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-----------------------------------------------15b17r15----12--12~-|
 B:-12--15~----12b15r12~~----10---------------------------------------|
 G:-----------------------------12----12-14-12~~----------------------|
 D:--------------------------------14---------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 Song progression:
 
  Fade into [Intro] x3
 
  [Intro] x1, replace last half with [Intro2]
 
  [Riff 1] x4
 
  [Riff 2a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         It was an April morning when the told us we should go,
         And as I turned to you, you smiled at me, how could we say no?
 
  [Riff 2b] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Woah the fun to have to live the dreams we always had.
         Woah the songs to sing when we at last return again.
 
  [Riff 1] x2
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         Swept New York a glancing kiss to those who claim they know,
 
  [Riff 2a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Below the streets that steam and hiss, the devil`s in his hold.
         Oh to sail away to sandy lands and holidays.
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         Oh to touch the dream, hides inside and`s never seen yeah.
 
  [Riff 3] x2, second time do 10th fret slide down
 
  [Ascending octave progression 1] x1
  [Ascending octave progression 2] x1
  [Ascending octave progression 3] x1
  [Ascending octave progression 4] x1
 
         [final two notes over [Riff 1] x2]
 
  [Riff 2a] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         Into the sun the South and on, at last the birds had flown,
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         As shackles of commitment fell in pieces on the ground.
 
  [Riff 2a] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         Oh to ride the wind, to tread the air above the din,
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         Oh to laugh aloud, with dancing eyes we court the crowd, yeah.
 
  [Riff 4a] x1
  [Riff 4b] x1
  [Riff 4c] x1
  [Riff 4d] x1
 
         [final two notes over [Riff 2a] x1 /w lyrics]:
 
         To seek the man whose pointing hand, the giant step unfolds,
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         To guide us from the curling path that turns our face to stone.
 
  [Riff 2a] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         And if one bell should ring in celebration for a King,
 
  [Riff 2b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         So fast the heart should beat as proud`s the head with heavy
                 feet, yeah.
 
  [Riff 3] x4 (at the end of the first time, sing "Ooh......")
 
  [Guitar Solo]
 
 e:----------7---------------------------------------------------5----|
 B:--------------7--5--5~~----8b10r8--------------5--5~-------8-------|
 G:-------7-----------------------------7b9r7-----5--5~----5-(5)------|
 D:--7s9------------------------------------------5--5~---------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:--3h5p3----3~--------3------3h5p3-------3-----5~---------------7---|
 B:--------5---------------------------5------5-(5)~------------------|
 G:--------4--4~-----4----4------------5------5-(5)~-----------7------|
 D:--------------------------------------------------------7s9--------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------------------------------------10b12r10---------12.-14.|
 B:--7--5--5~----7-8-10--8h10p8--7--8--7--8----------------12.--------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:---14b15r14p12--14b15r14p12---12--14--14b15r14p12---15b17r15-------|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--13--13~~----12--13----12-----------------------------------------|
 G:---------------------14------12------------------12--14------------|
 D:---------------------------------14--14~~~----14-------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:---------------------------------------------12-13--15p13p12-13p12-|
 G:--14b16r14b16r14p12-------------------12--14-----------------------|
 D:----------------------14--14~~----14-------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:----------------------------------------12-14-15.-15p14p12---------|
 B:----12-----12h13p12----12-----12-13-15-----------------------------|
 G:-14----14-----------14---------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-14~~~~p12-----12-------12-----------------------------------------|
 B:------------15----15p12-13--12-----12------------------------------|
 G:--------------------------------14----14-12----14-----12h14p12-----|
 D:--------------------------------------------14----14---------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-----------------------------------15------15------17b19-----------|
 B:--------------------------------15----17.-----17-------------------|
 G:----------12--------------14s16------------------------------------|
 D:--14--14-----------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-x--17.--x----12--12~~~~---15b17r15~----15p14p12h14~~---12h14p12~--|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-12h14p12---------------------------------------------------12-----|
 B:-----------15b17-----15-13----13--12-12-12~~~~--------12-15--------|
 G:---------------------------14----------------------12--------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-14--15p14p12--14~---12-14-15-17-19-20b22~~~-----20.--19.--17------|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-19~~~--x------17b18-------17--15--17--17b19~-------17b19----17----|
 B:------------0.-----------------------------------------------------|
 G:------------------------0.-----------------------0-----------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:--15---17b19----17--15---14~~~~~----14h15p14p12--14~~---12--14-15--|
 B:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:--17p15~~---15--15~~----12--15s14~---------------------------------|
 B:-----------------------------------------13s12~--------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------14-------------14--12.--------|
 D:--------------------------------------------------------------14---|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--------------------------------------------12---------------------|
 G:--12-----12~~--------12~~~~--------------12------------------------|
 D:-----14----------------------------12h14---------------------------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 [Ascending octave progression 1] x1
 [Ascending octave progression 2] x1
 
 then:
 
 e:--17b19r17----15~--------------------------------------------------|
 B:-------------------17~--15.----------------------------------------|
 G:-----------------------------16--14---14b16r14----12---------------|
 D:------------------------------------------------------14--12.------|
 A:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
 e:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 B:--------------17b19----17--17~~~-----------------------------------|
 G:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 D:--9----12----------------------------------------------------------|
 A:----10-------------------------------------------------------------|
 E:-------------------------------------------------------------------|
 
  (last part of solo:  17b19    17  17~~~ over lyrics):
 
                                   [last half of Riff 2a]
         Days fly by and you and I bathed in eternal summer`s glow
 
  [Riff 2a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         As far away and distant, our mutual child did grow.
         Woah the sweet refrain soothes the soul and calms the pain,
 
  [Riff 2b] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Oh Albion remain sleeping now to rise again.
 
  [Riff 5a] x1
  [Riff 5b] x1
  [Riff 5c] x1
  [Riff 5d] x1
 
  [Riff 6a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Wondering and wanderings,
 
  [Riff 6b] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         one place to rest the search,
 
  [Riff 6a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Where the mighty arms of Atlas
 
  [Riff 6b] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         hold the heavens from the earth.
 
  [Riff 6a] x2
  [Riff 6b] x2
 
  [Riff 6a] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         Oh the mighty arms of Atlas
 
  [Riff 6b] x2 /w lyrics:
 
         hold the heavens from the earth,
 
  last half of [Riff 6b] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         from the earth......
 
  last half of [Riff 7a] x1 (from 7)
 
  [Riff 7b] x1
 
  [Riff 7a] x1
 
  [Riff 7c] x1
 
  [Riff 7a] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         I`m gonna reign, gonna reign, gonna reign,
 
  [Riff 7d] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         gonna reign,
 
  [Riff 7a] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         I`m gonna reign, gonna reign, gonna reign, gonna
 
  [Riff 7c] x1 /w lyrics:
 
         reign.
 
  [Riff 8] x1
 
  [Ascending octave progression 1] x1
  [Ascending octave progression 2] x1
 
  [Riff 9] x2
 
  [Riff 10] x1
 
  [Riff 11a] x2 (beginning of each one sing "Aah..." along /w guitar)
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 12] x2  (first "Aahhh..." then "Oohhh...." /w guitar)
 
  "Aah..." (stops before next one)
  [Ascending octave progression 1] x1
 
  [Ascending octave progression 2] x1
 
  "oh..." (stops before next one)
  [Ascending octave progression 3] x1
 
  [Ascending octave progression 4] x1
 
  [Riff 13] x1
 
  [last part played over [Riff 1] x1]
 
  [Riff 1] x1 /w lyrics:
 
  Where the mighty arms of Atlas hold the heavens of the earth.
 
  [Riff 11a] x2 (sing "Oh.." x5 with increased force and pitch)
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2 (sing "Aah" at start of each line /w guitar)
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 11a] x2
  [Riff 11b] x2
 
  [Riff 1] x2 (sing "Ooohhh... first time only)
 
  [Intro] reversed, at least 2 times, then begin fadeout