Kashmir by Led Zeppelin – Guitar Lesson Breakdown

Few songs in rock history are as instantly recognisable and powerful as “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. A standout track from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti, “Kashmir” fuses rock, Middle Eastern musical influences, and orchestral arrangement into a hypnotic and cinematic experience. At LickLibrary.com, our note-for-note guitar lesson takes you inside the core of this classic, teaching you every riff and chord as played by the legendary Jimmy Page.

This lesson focuses on four essential guitar techniques that drive the distinct sound of “Kashmir”: altered tunings, power chords, barre chords, and chord progressions. These are broken down in depth to help guitarists not only replicate the song accurately but also understand the theory and musical ideas behind one of Zeppelin’s most innovative compositions.

Techniques Used

Altered Tunings

“Kashmir” is performed using an altered tuning—specifically DADGAD tuning. This tuning provides the song’s signature droning quality, allowing open strings to resonate through chord changes and giving the progression its exotic, modal sound.

Benefit to the player: Working in altered tunings broadens your harmonic vocabulary and encourages exploration. DADGAD tuning, in particular, is excellent for creating modal and folk-inspired textures. It helps develop a fresh perspective on chord shapes and fretboard layout.

Power Chords

The thunderous energy of “Kashmir” comes in part from the use of strong, punchy power chords. Page employs them in sync with the rhythm section and orchestration, delivering a massive sonic punch that gives the song its epic quality.

Benefit to the player: Power chords are foundational for rock rhythm playing. They improve your fretting-hand accuracy and your picking-hand muting, enabling you to lock in with the groove. They’re essential for learning how to create tension and release within a riff.

Barre Chords

Page also uses barre chords throughout “Kashmir” to articulate parts of the progression that require more harmonic richness. These shapes, often used in conjunction with the open tuning, create a fuller, more dynamic sound.

Benefit to the player: Mastering barre chords allows you to play any chord in any key across the fretboard. They build hand strength, develop your chord vocabulary, and are essential for rhythm guitarists aiming to play complete, versatile parts.

Chord Progressions

The chord progressions in “Kashmir” are built around modal harmony, using repetitive movement to create a hypnotic feel. Page crafts a progression that loops without becoming stale, thanks to subtle rhythmic and textural variations.

Benefit to the player: Learning modal chord progressions improves your understanding of harmony beyond the major/minor system. It sharpens your ability to craft unique musical ideas and gives you tools to break away from conventional songwriting patterns.

About the Song and Guitar Style

“Kashmir” is built around a slow, marching rhythm and a haunting, modal chord progression that cycles repetitively, creating a trance-like feel. The song’s signature riff, delivered with immense power and precision, is enhanced by the orchestral string and brass arrangements that mirror the guitar parts. This layering creates a wall of sound unlike anything else in the Zeppelin catalogue.

Despite its seemingly simple structure, “Kashmir” is a masterclass in groove, feel, and arrangement. Jimmy Page’s guitar part is commanding but not overbearing, with every chord and accent placed with intention. The subtle shifts in dynamics and the use of alternate tuning add to the mystique and power of the piece, making it a perfect study for intermediate to advanced players.

About the Guitar Player – Jimmy Page

Jimmy Page is one of the most innovative and influential guitarists in rock music. Known for his masterful use of tone, texture, and dynamics, Page consistently pushed boundaries with his compositions and guitar techniques. “Kashmir” is a shining example of Page’s ability to think outside the box—using non-standard tunings and modal harmony to build something that sounded completely unique in the rock genre.

His playing on this track is as much about restraint as it is about power. Rather than filling the space with fast licks, Page uses carefully selected chords and movements to create depth and tension. Studying his work on “Kashmir” gives players valuable insight into how less can often be more, especially when matched with groove and atmosphere.

Summary

Our Kashmir guitar lesson at LickLibrary.com provides a deep dive into one of the most iconic and rhythmically powerful Led Zeppelin tracks ever recorded. This is more than just a lesson in riffing—it’s a lesson in dynamics, arrangement, and mood. With its use of altered tunings, power chords, barre chords, and modal chord progressions, this song is a goldmine for players looking to expand their musical and technical horizons.

From learning how DADGAD tuning changes your fretboard approach, to executing the crushingly powerful rhythm figures that drive the song, you’ll come away from this lesson with real-world skills that translate far beyond this single track. Whether you're an intermediate player looking to tackle a Zeppelin classic, or a more advanced guitarist aiming to refine your touch and understanding of alternate tunings, this lesson will guide you through each part with clarity and purpose.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Altered Tunings
• Power Chords
• Barre Chords
• Chord Progressions

Master the mystical power of “Kashmir” with LickLibrary’s in-depth lesson and channel the weight, depth, and scale of one of Led Zeppelin’s most monumental compositions.