↓Skip to main content
  1. Open G Guitar Videos/

Led Zeppelin 'In My Time of Dying' — Open G Guitar Lesson

·2 mins
Open G Slide Guitar Blues Rock Intermediate Video Lesson Bottleneck
Table of Contents

Source: GTDB / Guitar Tuning Database

What This Video Covers #

“In My Time of Dying” from Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti is one of the most iconic Open G slide guitar performances in rock. Jimmy Page’s playing draws directly from delta blues traditions — particularly the Blind Willie Johnson version of the same song — and this lesson breaks down how to approach it in Open G tuning.

The Open G Foundation #

The song is played in Open G tuning (D–G–D–G–B–D), which makes it ideal for the kind of slide playing Page uses throughout. Every position of the slide across all six strings produces a clean major chord, so the harmonic movement comes naturally from slide position rather than complex fingering.

Slide Technique #

The lesson covers the core slide mechanics required for this song:

  • Slide placement: positioning the glass or steel directly over the fret wire for clean intonation
  • Muting with the picking hand: essential to control the sound and prevent unwanted string noise
  • Vibrato: the slow, wide vibrato that gives delta-style slide its vocal quality
  • Single-string melody vs. full chords: the song alternates between melodic slide lines and full chord stabs

The Delta Blues Connection #

The video traces the lineage of the piece — from Blind Willie Johnson’s gospel slide to the Led Zeppelin version — giving context for why the technique sounds the way it does. Understanding that context makes the phrasing more intuitive.

Key Riff Breakdown #

The main riff involves a combination of open-string drone and sliding into specific positions. The lesson breaks this down at a slower pace so you can see where the slide is placed at each moment.

Who This Is For #

Intermediate players with some experience using a slide in Open G. If you’re new to slide, start with the Open G Slide Guitar Tips lesson first, then return here once the basics are solid.

Key Takeaways #

  • Open G makes the chord movement in this song natural for slide
  • Muting and intonation are the two hardest skills to develop for slide playing
  • The song’s roots in delta blues explain its phrasing and feel