The ULTIMATE Kashmir Guitar Lesson (Led Zeppelin)

I’m sitting down to write you this while stuck in the Haneda airport in Tokyo Japan…

My flight just got delayed, and I still have a long and tiring travel day ahead…

But while in Japan…

Some cool things have happened…

Like I got to go to the world’s one and only Fender store.

They had all kinds of old-school Fender ads on the walls:

Take a look at this staircase that leads up to the custom shop floor:

Not bad eh?

Well, this brings me to today’s lesson…

I’d like to share with you a song that was inspired during a drive through a desolate desert area of southern Morocco. 

It’s one of Led Zeppelin’s most mysterious and hypnotic songs. In fact, Jimmy Page even said that he wished Led Zeppelin was known more for this song, than “Stairway To Heaven.”

The riff is in an unusual open tuning and I’m going to break it all down for you step-by-step in this “Kashmir” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Kashmir?

"Kashmir" is a rock epic by the legendary band Led Zeppelin. It was released in 1975 on their sixth album, Physical Graffiti. It's often considered one of their greatest and most beloved songs, known for its powerful instrumentation, soaring vocals, and evocative lyrics.

The song's origins go back to 1973 when Led Zeppelin toured Morocco. Singer Robert Plant was inspired by the vast, desolate landscapes he encountered, particularly a seemingly endless road through the desert.

This initial spark became the song's opening line: "Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dreams."

Interestingly, the song wasn't actually about the Indian region of Kashmir at all. The title was chosen later. Most likely for its evocative sound and connection to the idea of a remote, mystical place.

Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page developed the song's musical framework over several years, incorporating influences from hard rock, Eastern music, and orchestral arrangements. 

And of course, John Bonham played an amazing thunderous groove that added another layer of power to the song.

"Kashmir" was recorded at Headley Grange, a country house in England, where Led Zeppelin set up their own recording studio. The band experimented with different sounds and techniques, including the use of a Mellotron keyboard to create the haunting string sounds in the intro.

The song has received several awards and accolades, including being ranked #13 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.

"Kashmir" remained a staple of Led Zeppelin's live performances, often extended into epic jams that showcase the band's musical virtuosity.

"Kashmir" is a true rock masterpiece that continues to inspire and amaze listeners generations after its release. 

Is Kashmir a hard song?

Yes. The basic riff requires the use of an alternate tuning and syncopated rhythms. It’s not a beginner song. I would say it’s in the solid intermediate range. 

Kashmir Guitar Tuning

The tuning used for "Kashmir" is DADGAD, meaning from the lowest string to the highest: D, A, D, G, A, D. This is one of Jimmy Page's favorite tunings and it plays a crucial role in the song's sound. 

Using DADGAD tuning allows for several key features in "Kashmir":

Open voicings: The open Dsus4 tuning contributes to the song's hypnotic and droning sound.

It also lets you create new fingerings for chords and opens up possibilities for unique sounds that wouldn't be possible in standard tuning.

**String Note**

6th (thickest) = D

5th = A

4th = D

3rd = G

2nd = A

1st (thinnest) = D 

While DADGAD tuning might feel unfamiliar at first, it unlocks a whole new sound palette that's a significant part of the song's magic.

What guitar did Jimmy Page use for Kashmir?

While the exact guitar is unknown my guess would be he used a Danelectro 3021. 

Page might have used this guitar for some parts of the song, particularly the intro riff. Its bright, jangly tone contrasts with maybe a Les Paul for heavier sounds.

Remember, Jimmy Page was known for his experimentation and layering of sounds, so several instruments likely contributed to the final recording and live performances of "Kashmir."

Kashmir Guitar Chords

The chords used in “Kashmir” for the main riff are a cliche chord progression. The basic idea is you take a chord and then progressively move one note in the chord.

The progression starts out with an octave D and a double lower note. This shape is played like this:

Then it moves to a D5 power chord like this:

The D5 chord, also known as the D power chord, is a simple yet powerful two-note chord. Power chords consist of just two notes: the root note of the chord (D in the case of D5) and the fifth scale degree (A). This interval, called a perfect fifth, creates a characteristically thick sound compared to traditional three-note chords.

Then what happens is we keep the D bass note. But the fifth of the chord (A) starts ascending up in half-steps.

As it does the first move from A to A# this creates a D(#5) chord, or a D augmented. This chord has a mysterious sound to it.

From there, the A# moves up another half-step to the note B. This then creates a D6 chord which can be played like this:

Finally, the B moves up another half-step to the note C. This then creates a D7 chord which can be played like this:

So throughout the whole progression, we have one note ascending up in half-steps. It starts with the note A and moves all the way up to C. 

Then the cycle repeats. As I mentioned above, this is a very common chord progression. It’s sometimes called a chord cliche. Another great example of this type of progression (although in a minor key) is in the James Bond Theme song.

Conclusion:

"Kashmir" isn't just a song; it's a sonic journey through a mysterious blend of musical influences. It also stands as a testament to Led Zeppelin's raw power and creative spirit. 

While Jimmy Page might wish it overshadowed "Stairway to Heaven," Kashmir stands tall on its own, hypnotizing and inspiring generations of musicians and listeners alike.

So crank up the volume, grab your DADGAD-tuned guitar, and lose yourself in this epic riff.

Remember to take it slow, and have fun practicing. And for more Zeppelin check out this Good Times Bad Times guitar lesson or Hey Hey What Can I Do Led Zeppelin guitar lesson next!