Coldplay - A Sky Full of Stars - Guitar Lesson

Ghost Stories

2014 4:28

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About A Sky Full of Stars

Few Coldplay tracks ask this much repetitive precision from a guitarist. "A Sky Full of Stars" runs at 103 BPM in F major, and the driving arpeggiated guitar figure that runs through the track demands clean, consistent picking for its entire length. The pattern is not technically complex in isolation, but keeping it locked in time without drifting or tensing up is the real challenge, especially as the energy builds toward the bigger sections. E Standard tuning means no retuning required, so you can focus entirely on right-hand control and evenness across the strings. If your picking starts to blur at full speed, use the Practice Toolbar to loop the arpeggio figure slowed down, then gradually bring the tempo back up. The Pop Rock feel of the song rewards a light, relaxed pick attack rather than digging in hard. Building stamina and consistency here will pay off across a lot of similar mid-tempo material.

• The central guitar part is a repeating arpeggiated figure that requires steady right-hand endurance at 103 BPM throughout the song.
• Playing in E Standard tuning means no retuning is needed, keeping the focus on picking accuracy and timing consistency.
• A light pick attack suits the song's feel best, as digging in too hard tends to make the arpeggios sound uneven and forced.