Queen - We Are The Champions Pt.1 - Guitar Lesson

News of the World (Deluxe Edition) [2011 Remaster]

1977 2:59

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About We Are The Champions Pt.1

Few songs sit as comfortably under the fingers as this one, yet playing it well takes real attention to touch and phrasing. "We Are the Champions" is built around a clean, arpeggiated chord progression in C major that feels deceptively simple until you try to match the measured, dignified feel of the original. The chord shapes themselves are not exotic, but the spacing and the way each note rings cleanly demands good left-hand fretting discipline and a relaxed right-hand picking motion. Getting those arpeggios to breathe rather than rush is the real challenge, and if you find yourself hurrying through the changes, use the Practice Toolbar to loop the trickier transitions slowed down until the timing feels natural. Queen recorded the song in 1977, and Brian May's guitar work here is restrained by his standards, which is exactly what gives it weight. Focus on keeping your tone clean and your dynamics controlled throughout.

• The guitar part centres on arpeggiated chords in C major, so clean fretting and letting each note ring without buzzing is the core technical demand.
• Brian May's playing here is intentionally restrained, making consistent right-hand dynamics and even pick attack more important than speed or complexity.
• Practising the chord transitions slowly with the Practice Toolbar will help you lock in the deliberate, unhurried feel the song requires.