Welcome to my Aerosmith guitar lessons page, where you’ll find 7 of their most iconic songs arranged for acoustic guitar. From rock ballads like “Angel” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” to harder-hitting tracks like “Sweet Emotion” and “Rag Doll,” there’s a great mix of tone, rhythm, and emotion for you to dig into.
Each lesson includes a free chord and lyrics sheet, a demo video, and rhythm breakdowns to help you lock into the Aerosmith groove. If you need extra guidance, full video tutorials are available for a small fee.
Aerosmith is an American rock band that formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1970. The band's original lineup consisted of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Aerosmith is known for their blues-influenced hard rock sound and energetic live performances.
Aerosmith achieved significant success in the 1970s with albums like "Toys in the Attic" and "Rocks." Some of their well-known songs from that era include "Dream On," "Sweet Emotion," and "Walk This Way." In the late 1980s and early 1990s, they experienced a resurgence in popularity with the albums "Permanent Vacation" and "Pump," featuring hits like "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" and "Love in an Elevator."
Aerosmith is often regarded as one of the best-selling American rock bands of all time, and they have had a lasting impact on the rock music scene.
Angel is a rock ballad by the band Aerosmith. It was released as a single from their 1987 album "Permanent Vacation." The song showcases Aerosmith's ability to create powerful and emotional ballads, with Steven Tyler's distinctive voice leading the way.
"Angel" did well on the charts, reaching the top 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The song's success contributed to the revitalization of Aerosmith's career during the late 1980s.
An interesting trivia about "Angel" is that it was co-written by lead singer Steven Tyler and professional songwriters Desmond Child and Holly Knight. The song's memorable melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a fan favorite and a significant part of Aerosmith's extensive catalog.
A capo 1st fret will keep you in the original key here with the chords D, A, G, Bm and a Gbm and no lead. But the rhythm may be tricky so play a down down down up down up and repeat and you move through this one, Some down strokes also in places and in standard tuning.
These Aerosmith acoustic guitar lessons cover a range of tempos and feels — from heartfelt ballads to gritty rockers. You’ll explore strumming patterns, chord progressions, and song structures that help capture Aerosmith’s signature sound, all while improving your rhythm and timing. Each lesson includes a free chord chart and demo, and if you want full walkthroughs, the video tutorials are just a click away.
Chords & LyricsCrying is a power ballad from Aerosmith, which was released in 1993 as a single from their album "Get a Grip". The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler, guitarist Joe Perry, and professional songwriter Desmond Child.
The music video for "Crying" features a young Alicia Silverstone as the main character, who is seen as a rebellious teenager who runs away from home and gets into various adventures. The video also features Tyler playing a street musician who falls in love with Silverstone's character.
"Crying" became a commercial success, reaching the top 20 in several countries, including the US, UK, and Canada. The song's emotional lyrics and powerful instrumentation have made it one of Aerosmith's most popular songs and a staple of classic rock radio.
This one I play with a capo 2nd fret and with a down down down up down up down and repeat rhythm pattern with down strokes in places will also help when playing this one. Some lead required here in standard tuning with the chords F, A, G, G#, D, Db, Em, Bm, C, A#, D7 and an A#.
Dream On is a song by Aerosmith which was released in 1973 as the first single from their debut album, "Aerosmith." The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler.
The song's lyrics describe the struggles and aspirations of a young person, urging them to hold onto their dreams and not give up on their hopes for the future. The chorus of the song features the iconic line, "Dream on, dream on, dream until your dreams come true."
"Dream On" was not an immediate hit upon its release, but it became more popular over time and eventually peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976, three years after its initial release. It has since been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various films and TV shows.
Capo 3rd here for this one with a down down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and again with down strokes in various places. A high sing with the chords Dm, Am/D, D m6, Bb -5, A, C, A#, Dm, Dsus4, E, F and a G. No lead but a few riffs throughout in standard tuning.
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing is another power ballad which was released in 1998 as a single from the soundtrack of the film "Armageddon." The song was written by professional songwriter Diane Warren.
The song's lyrics describe the feelings of a person who is deeply in love and wants to cherish every moment with their significant other, as they do not want to miss a single thing in their lives together. The chorus of the song features the iconic line, "I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep, 'cause I'd miss you, babe, and I don't want to miss a thing."
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" became a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming Aerosmith's first and only number one hit. The song's popularity was further boosted by its use in the film "Armageddon," for which it was written, and it has since become a staple of classic rock radio and a beloved ballad among fans of the band.
This one is played without a capo but for me to sing this number, I had to change the pitch but played in standard tuning with a down down up down up down up and repeat for rhythm will work here. No lead and with the chords Em, A/Db, D, G, Bm, D/Gb, Gbm, A7sus, A7, C, A#, F, A and a Dm.
Rag Doll was the last single to be released from the 1987 album Permanent Vacation. It was a top 20 hit in the US, The Netherlands and Italy. Tyler collaborated with Jim Vallance, a Canadian writer best known for his works with Bryan Adams.
I play this with a capo 2nd fret to stay in the original key but vocally this one is way up there. Played with the chords D, A, E, G, and F in standard tuning. Mainly playing down strokes for rhythm with some note picking under the lead singing in some parts. Some improvised lead in this one.
This one I'm playing with a capo 2nd fret with mainly down strokes and the odd up stroke shuffle before changing chords in standard tuning. The chords here are D, A, E, G, C, F and a Gb with some lead required.
Seasons of Wither is a song by Aerosmith from their 1974 album titled "Get Your Wings." The song was written by lead vocalist Steven Tyler and showcases the band's bluesy and melodic style. "Seasons of Wither" is known for its haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics.
The song explores themes of introspection, longing, and the passage of time. It features poetic and evocative lyrics that paint a vivid picture of a desolate landscape and a sense of yearning. The melancholic tone of the song is enhanced by Steven Tyler's emotive vocals and the band's atmospheric instrumentation.
"Seasons of Wither" is often regarded as one of Aerosmith's hidden gems and a fan favorite. While it was not released as a single, it has become a beloved track among Aerosmith enthusiasts and has been performed live by the band on various occasions.
With its introspective lyrics, haunting melody, and atmospheric sound, "Seasons of Wither" stands out as a testament to Aerosmith's musical depth and their ability to create emotionally resonant songs beyond their more commercially successful hits.
Some crazy chord shapes in this one including G, G/A#, Am7, A#, C, D, F, E/G, F/G, Gb/G, B7 with an arpeggio component here. Eventually you launch into some strumming with a down up down up and down stroke strumming in standard tuning. No lead here which is good.
Sweet Emotion is a great number from Aerosmith which they released in 1975 as a single from their album "Toys in the Attic." The song was written by lead singer Steven Tyler and bassist Tom Hamilton.
The song's lyrics describe the experience of being caught up in the excitement and energy of a concert or performance, with Tyler singing, "You talk about things that nobody cares, you're wearing out things that nobody wears, you're calling my name but I gotta make clear, I can't say baby where I'll be in a year." The chorus features the iconic riff and the repeated phrase, "Sweet Emotion."
"Sweet Emotion" became a commercial success, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helping to establish Aerosmith as one of the most important rock bands of the 1970s. The song has since been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various films and TV shows. It remains one of Aerosmith's most popular and enduring songs.
This number actually only has an A and a D chord and then a few notes at the Gb, G, Ab and A position and of course at the end you have an E chord. There is one main riff as you'll see in the demo but no main lead work and in standard tuning.
Whether you’re belting out “Dream On” or grooving through “Seasons of Wither,” these Aerosmith songs are a blast to learn and play. I hope these tutorials help you develop your rock rhythm and expand your acoustic repertoire. Be sure to grab the free chord sheets and demos, and if you want to go deeper, the full lessons are right here waiting.