Once during an interview before live audience Paul asked if anyone in audience played Blackbird on guitar . Quite a few hands went up. Paul : " I hate to tell you but you've all been playing it wrong ! " You would have been exempt Mike.!
I have been wanting to complete this piece and I finally did, thanks for your inspiration! But learning it was only half of the story. I was playing this yesterday when my 11-year-old son told me that they will be singing this during their graduation ceremony. He sang it while I play on my guitar. WOW, what a great moment! Thanks again for your work!
Your uploads, energy and overall attitude are fantastic but how anyone trying to learn this tune actually needs the fret-string breakdown escapes me, especially since you provide those chord charts. Not saying I didn't appreciate your explanation of the implied chords, loved it. Also loved the history lesson and the 10th position 16th note pulse explanation as this is precisely the area I was working on when I happened on this video. Thanks, man.
I am always amazed that you hear every inflection and every chord perfectly. This is the first time I am writing a comment, but I have enjoyed your tutorials for a long time. I have played professionally for many years but you are on another level. Keep posting your videos. You are inspiring musicians of every level. THANK YOU !!!
Another great tutorial by Mike. Today's beginners and intermediates should be grateful to guys like Mike, you get some theory, some history and enthusiasm. 40+ years ago we had to work it out ourselves or find a neighborhood guru and share our pot with him. Thanks Mike!
Man I don’t even play guitar but I watch all your videos . You’re terrific. Love the Beatles so much and it’s nice to see someone so enthusiastic about them as myself
I've seen Paul 7 times and he's played "Blackbird" each time. I learned this tune from a tab book...you showed a better way of playing this "classic." I enjoy your great videos...especially Beatle videos.
I can't tell you how happy I am to see this lesson. Way before UA-cam I printed out some guitar tab & learned to play this the same way you do but whenever I showed it to much better guitar players they said I had it wrong. So very happy I had it right because it's much easier for me to play it this way.
I play it just as you do...somehow, at the end I find myself higher on the fret board. But that was great. My son played too. He was the best guitar player I've ever heard. He would take Bach and turn it into guitar. His father and I cried when he played Moonlight Sonata. Andy died last Feb. I never made him play. I just had instruments all over the house. I play by ear. Andy did too, but he wanted to know more , so he learned to read music on his own. The world has lost a great musician.
I feel you in a big way ,I play guitar but my son played piano, and keyboard , played all types of music from classic rock to rap but I know when we played together it was aways remarkable, this reminds me of him.
As always,you got it just right Mike. Thanks so much ! I heard that 'Blackbird, was written by Macca after Donovan gave him some finger-picking Tutelage while they were in Indis.... He famously played it to the fans who camped out outside his London home as soon as he wrote it....He became a little less fond of those obsessive fans when one of them, "Came in through the Bathroom Window."
I'm 71 playing guitar for over 50 years, and worked on playing Blackbird for a loooonnnnng time. Your lesson is the best I've ever seen for this song, and all your lessons are great.
Loving your videos Mike. I listen to the Beatles almost daily on my commute.There is such a catalogue of songs and their brilliance is undisputed. Its great to play along with you and the way you break things down and explain it all is fantastic. You are clearly a fan of their work and your enthusiasm for their music is infectious. Times are pretty grim at the moment with this pandemic but getting lost for a few hours on the net watching and learning great tunes is a necessary distraction. Keep up your fantastic work.
That was the best lesson on Blackbird ! You did it right all the others were all different ! I heard Paul say on an interview that everyone butchers the song ! But I followed and wrote out and played all the chord patterns and when I played 2 finger chords and saw the chord pattern on my fingers and mind Bingo Instant Karma The song and chords and progressions were in my mind1 Thank you for that well structured and thorough lesson ! The tip on playing bass with 1 finger helped as a guide ! And adding the droning G And I liked the finger flicking On 10 12 Thank You Mike !
Blackbird is my favorite song of all time, thanks for taking the time to do this video, even though I know how to play it I think your tutorial can help a lot of people replicate this masterpiece. I don't even think Paul could have explained it better, keep up the good work!
Mike, thanks for the best Blackbird lesson on the internet! I especially liked the time you spent describing various ways to play the 16th notes on the right hand.
Thanks Mike. I’ve been noodling this beautiful melody for years. I’m grateful for the thoughtful video that has helped me clean it up. I enjoy it now more than ever.
Well done! Great instructive video. I taught myself "Blackbird" many years ago (1969). I'm a bass player but, of course, McCartney was always my favorite. Your video is among the best I've seen. You've got a fan, for sure.
This video deserves a lot more love from the UA-cam gods. I've been trying to lean how to play this song for a couple of weeks and this was by far one of the best videos I've watched. Thanks for taking the time to make it!
Just love listening to Mike. I watched his "Genius of John Lennon" and then his performance with Phil Keagy (splg?). Very nice and he is a great teacher of the seeming taking for granted compositions in history. Excellent.
Mike, one of my first real accomplishments on guitar was learning this song. I appreciate your insights into how the song has evolved over the years when performed by Paul. Plus the implied chords was very educational. Keep up the great work. Loving your posts on all the Beatle guitar styles too. Thanks!
Thank you Mike! There are so many wrong versions out there on youtube of this tune and this one is just perfect!! And there were a couple of things I never could get right with that index finger strum and your video spells it out perfectly - and sounds great! I like your approach the best with picking the last two notes. I need a little practice but then can't wait to get back out there and play it again! (the right way!). Many thanks.
I've been playing this "wrong" for 45+ years. Nobody seemed to notice though. I'm sure your take is more "authentic". The only major difference in my approach is I slide up to the Em and C# as opposed to going a string higher. Loved your veiw though, nice vid. Don't think I'll be changing -old dog, new tricks etc... Thanks.
What a brilliant exposition of your habilities to play's Paul style Mike. Congratulations. Very instructive tutorial. Difficult to find a similar one.👍👍👍👍👍
Hi, Mike! Greetings from San Antonio, Texas! I just discovered you and your internet presence last night, and I've been watching your youtube videos in binges for the last 24 hours. I just want to say that you are definitely a Class Act. You're obviously a fine musician, without a doubt., but I also highly respect the level of enthusiasm and integrity that you have for the music and your ability to effectively and infectiously convey that to us.... your audience. I absolutely love your knowledge of the technical and historical aspects of your song lessons. as well. I understand and relate to everything you say. I've been playing guitar since '72, and when I learned Blackbird, I wanted it to sound just like the original recording and used my index finger for the strumming, instead of finger picking it like others do. I pride myself on 1st learning how the artists originally played their songs. Like you mentioned here, then we can see how their playing evolves and changes throughout their careers. It's just thrilling that way for me. Anyhow, thank you for all the effort that you put into getting this level of infotainment out to be shared with us. I'm sure it's hard work. There are only 2 other guys here on youtube that I have discovered and feel that speak the same musical and historical language with the same passion as you do: Joe Bonamassa and Tim Pierce. And, I mean that as a sincere compliment. Thanks, again. I hope to see you here on youtube for a long time.
What a find!! I have not touched my guitars for over a year. I'm home with the Covid this week and I find your channel. What an awesome job you do. Now I'm into playing again and looking to buy another guitar to play these Beatles songs. So cool Thank you!
I tried to play this song for ever but I kept getting it wrong eventually I found someone that knew how to play it right .it's nice to see in this video I do play it right. wow that took forever
Fantastic lesson Mike! I play this song the amateur way but now that you’ve shown me a new way, I have something to look forward to as I practice it. Thanks a million, you’re a great teacher and a hell of a guitar artist
Wonderful job. I really benefited from your explanation of the full chords. I had gotten rusty after not playing it for a couple of years and your chord breakdown will allow me to think in terms of the chords. I love the interval breakdown. Priceless. I love music theory and Nashville Numbering system, so it will help me if I want to attempt it on piano or other instruments. Thank you for your level of detail. You are a top professional.
I just discovered your channel and immediately became a great fan. Your presentation, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the songs of the Beatles is the best I have ever seen; and quite contagious. I've been a Beatles fan from day-one. It's gratifying to meet someone from a different generation who is able to share so much substance about this legendary group. Thank you.
I was fortunate to be a 13 y/o in 1964 and like so many, started to play guitar after watching the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. I have been playing Blackbird for many years since and it is one of my favorite Beatle songs. I picked up the song by ear long ago and was interested to find out if I was playing it correctly after all these years. Your excellent lesson confirmed that I was. I very much enjoyed your explanation of the implied chords that Sir Paul used in this beautiful composition. I look forward to all your other Beatle song lessons. Now I am not only a tremendous Beatle fan, but a "huge" Mike Pachelli fan as well! Best regards.
Hi John Christiano - I am the same age as you, I learned to play the Beatles songs on acoustic guitar at the same age, by ear. Took classical/finger style guitar lessons in 1968. Eventually got my fingers around Blackbird and Mason William's Classical Gas. Wish Mike P would do a How to play....... Classical Gas video.
Thank you very much for you effort and contribution to the enjoyment of playing the guitar. It's great to learn how to play such a wonderful piece just like the master, Sir Paul did it.
Learned this back in the day, when I often learned Beatles songs from memory (we all heard them so often... but it did result in a few curious versions :-) and never once used the record, and accidently came up with completely different fingering on the verse :-) I'll try to describe in case anyone cares to give it a try... . Start with the C as noted (I pick up the open G "all the way up") Note: Next is the change... and it really is easier to play once you establish the muscle memory for the run as the index finger never leaves the A string, and "walks" up the neck one fret at a time.... while the pinky moves up 3 frets, then down 1 fret on the B. This lets you also pick up the open G all the way up. . Pointer up 1 fret while pinky goes up 3 frets (C#... A: 4th B: 8th) . Next the D as noted (plus light open G) . Pointer up 1 fret while pinky goes up 3 frets (D#... A:6th B: 10th) . Next Em as noted... Pointer goes up 1 fret again, and pinkt goes down 2 frets Note: On the run down I also use the Alt C#... (A: 4th B: 8th) Anyway, just thought I'd share... first time I saw someone play the "right" way (many years later) I was a bit disappointed I'd "missed" it but it sounded OK so I never really thought much about it. Several years before I thought to check out the notes for both, and found they were identical so I just found fingering that made sense at the time (not a lot of tech help in 1969... lol). Fantastic insight into one of my fav Beatles songs Mike, even though I'm a big John Lennon fan (and amazing you actually spent some time with Paul... explains the passion you have)!
Thanks for the kudos Michael. And since your a Lennon fan - do check out my Lennon videos! ua-cam.com/video/Fb8YNfr9fFM/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/60q4J1RnsUg/v-deo.html
Thanks Mike. This lesson gave me a way in to understanding how this song was composed. It always alluded me, as though no mortal being could possibly come up with something like this. But as you said, Paul himself was inspired by an older style, and previous great songwriters to himself.
I saw an interview of Paul did with Michael Parkinson where he said he got the idea of the song while waiting for Linda in some waiting room which had an abstract painting on the wall of someone like Django playing the guitar with just 2 fingers on both hands. And he wondered if he could write a song doing the same the rest is history now. One of my favourite Paul's song because it sounds great without any vocals. :-)
DreamRubycon, my favorite source of proof of what you said concerning how this song to be played without singing is a duo that I used to work for, Judith Tulloch and Steve Franxhino. She plays the guitar, and he plays the flute. Their version of “Blackbird” always knocked my socks off. It was one of their occasional instrumentals, which I say because she was a singer more than a guitarist.
Great tutorial, Mike. Thanks for the in-depth explanation of the chords. I’ve played this song my whole life and didn’t understand the theory of the chords.
The chord symbol you outline at 4:10 by itself makes the entire lesson worth listening to. I’ve been playing this song since 1995, when I first began learning to play, and that chord by itself nestled between the phrase is “take these broken wings and learn to fly“ and “all your life” kept coming out wrong (even though I know that isn’t how it’s actually done). Thanks Mr. Pachelli. Want to hear something bizarre and somewhat tangential? One of the singers and actresses/actors that I know sings this song a step and a half down in the key of E. It’s been half an adventure adopting/adapting a guitar voicing to match that key. Whenever I sing this song myself, I always replace the blackbird sounds before the third verse with a quotation from “Norwegian Wood“, “and when I awoke I was alone, this bird had flown.“ Incidentally, I have a soft spot for the Gibson model you played here, the Hummingbird. There was one point in 2005 when I almost purchased a Hummingbird for less than $2!000 USD. If so, it would’ve been the first Gibson guitar I owned and possibly the only one, since my preferred acoustic guitar brand (when I have the money) is Guild, and I have chosen Epiphone electric guitars. The money I had saved up went towards a Minimoog Voyager synthesizer instead, which I have no intention to part with, but I’m occasionally going to wish I had bought the Hummingbird.
I learned Blackbird by playing the record and learning a little bit then starting the record over again till I got it down I bet a lot of folks learned it that way
Hi Mike,, Thank you for this wonderful lesson and all of your lessons,, This is the best lesson I have ever seen on this song,, Thank you for this wonderful gift :)
Ken Musto....fully agreed. Mike, the traditional chord voicing are really quite good however after 50 years of hearing this song, naturally, the original seems to win...but this was better than interesting for me
Sir Paul probably recorded it both ways because there are those flat 5 chords that you see in other Beatles songs. Also George and Paul talked all about as kids wandering all over Liverpool learning Jazz chords, so that they could play many more cover songs. As live at BBC portrays the Beatles were a great cover band!
Hello Mike, I've only just come across your channel (sorry!). Your rendition of Blackbird is the best I've see (and I've seen a few!). Very clear and very well demonstrated. Now subscribed and will look out for more. Well done.
You're the best Beatles guitar teacher on You Tube.
Hes also a great player notwithstanding.
What I love about your videos is that it's obvious that you're a Beatles fan - so you want to get it right. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Thanks Mike! Great lesson. I have played this many times just guessing. Now I have every beautiful note.
Once during an interview before live audience Paul asked if anyone
in audience played Blackbird on guitar . Quite a few hands went up.
Paul : " I hate to tell you but you've all been playing it wrong ! "
You would have been exempt Mike.!
Blackbird on a Hummingbird. Quite the concept
“...into the light of the dark black night!”
I have been wanting to complete this piece and I finally did, thanks for your inspiration! But learning it was only half of the story. I was playing this yesterday when my 11-year-old son told me that they will be singing this during their graduation ceremony. He sang it while I play on my guitar. WOW, what a great moment! Thanks again for your work!
Moments like that, I feel, is what life is all about.
Update: You're still the best Beatles guitar teacher on UA-cam.
the best free blackbird lesson i've personally seen very very good sir i loved the way you went through the implied chords first excellent
Thank you for your very kind words. So glad you enjoyed it!
Your uploads, energy and overall attitude are fantastic but how anyone trying to learn this tune actually needs the fret-string breakdown escapes me, especially since you provide those chord charts. Not saying I didn't appreciate your explanation of the implied chords, loved it. Also loved the history lesson and the 10th position 16th note pulse explanation as this is precisely the area I was working on when I happened on this video. Thanks, man.
The most perfect 3 minute song of last 50 years . Words and music .
Yes, He was and always will be a Genius .
YOU'D DESERVE PAUL TO E MAIL YOU....GOOD WORK
I am always amazed that you hear every inflection and every chord perfectly.
This is the first time I am writing a comment, but I have enjoyed your tutorials for a long time.
I have played professionally for many years but you are on another level.
Keep posting your videos.
You are inspiring musicians of every level.
THANK YOU !!!
I love your passion for accurate detail.
Another great tutorial by Mike. Today's beginners and intermediates should be grateful to guys like Mike, you get some theory, some history and enthusiasm. 40+ years ago we had to work it out ourselves or find a neighborhood guru and share our pot with him. Thanks Mike!
Man I don’t even play guitar but I watch all your videos . You’re terrific. Love the Beatles so much and it’s nice to see someone so enthusiastic about them as myself
I've seen Paul 7 times and he's played "Blackbird" each time. I learned this tune from a tab book...you showed a better way of playing this "classic." I enjoy your great videos...especially Beatle videos.
I can't tell you how happy I am to see this lesson. Way before UA-cam I printed out some guitar tab & learned to play this the same way you do but whenever I showed it to much better guitar players they said I had it wrong. So very happy I had it right because it's much easier for me to play it this way.
I play it just as you do...somehow, at the end I find myself higher on the fret board. But that was great. My son played too. He was the best guitar player I've ever heard. He would take Bach and turn it into guitar. His father and I cried when he played Moonlight Sonata. Andy died last Feb. I never made him play. I just had instruments all over the house. I play by ear. Andy did too, but he wanted to know more , so he learned to read music on his own. The world has lost a great musician.
I feel you in a big way ,I play guitar but my son played piano, and keyboard , played all types of music from classic rock to rap but I know when we played together it was aways remarkable, this reminds me of him.
As always,you got it just right Mike. Thanks so much !
I heard that 'Blackbird, was written by Macca after Donovan gave him some finger-picking Tutelage while they were in Indis....
He famously played it to the fans who camped out outside his London home as soon as he wrote it....He became a little less fond of those obsessive fans when one of them,
"Came in through the Bathroom Window."
I'm 71 playing guitar for over 50 years, and worked on playing Blackbird for a loooonnnnng time. Your lesson is the best I've ever seen for this song, and all your lessons are great.
Thanks Robert for those very kind words. I very much appreciate it!
Love your enthusiasm! Must feel blessed to do what you love and it shows. You are gifted!
Loving your videos Mike. I listen to the Beatles almost daily on my commute.There is such a catalogue of songs and their brilliance is undisputed. Its great to play along with you and the way you break things down and explain it all is fantastic. You are clearly a fan of their work and your enthusiasm for their music is infectious. Times are pretty grim at the moment with this pandemic but getting lost for a few hours on the net watching and learning great tunes is a necessary distraction. Keep up your fantastic work.
Your enthusiasm for these Beatle songs comes through on all your lessons. It's contagious. Makes a person want to pick up their guitar and play along.
Thanks and please do!
That was the best lesson on Blackbird ! You did it right all the others were all different ! I heard Paul say on an interview that everyone butchers the song ! But I followed and wrote out and played all the chord patterns and when I played 2 finger chords and saw the chord pattern on my fingers and mind Bingo Instant Karma The song and chords and progressions were in my mind1 Thank you for that well structured and thorough lesson ! The tip on playing bass with 1 finger helped as a guide ! And adding the droning G And I liked the finger flicking On 10 12 Thank You Mike !
Mike, Your videos are shining diamonds in a sea of UA-cam crap. Love the history!
thanx Mike ,
I have a whole new appreciation for the beatles with your in depth analysis vids here
Blackbird is my favorite song of all time, thanks for taking the time to do this video, even though I know how to play it I think your tutorial can help a lot of people replicate this masterpiece. I don't even think Paul could have explained it better, keep up the good work!
Mike. Every time I watch your videos I can’t help but think how much you personally love these songs. Great tutorial agin my friend!
Mike, thanks for the best Blackbird lesson on the internet! I especially liked the time you spent describing various ways to play the 16th notes on the right hand.
Thanks Mike.
I’ve been noodling this beautiful melody for years. I’m grateful for the thoughtful video that has helped me clean it up. I enjoy it now more than ever.
This guy read my mind! I already know the song pretty well, but I've never been able to get the sound perfect. That's why I came here!
Well done! Great instructive video.
I taught myself "Blackbird" many years ago (1969). I'm a bass player but, of course, McCartney was always my favorite.
Your video is among the best I've seen. You've got a fan, for sure.
This video deserves a lot more love from the UA-cam gods. I've been trying to lean how to play this song for a couple of weeks and this was by far one of the best videos I've watched. Thanks for taking the time to make it!
That helped me out more than I could put in words, have played this for decades but it wasnt quite right. Thanks so much.
I have searched all over for a clear fingering explanation of this magical song and have at last found it. Thanks heaps mate.
So glad I could be of some assistance!
Mike what a great personality you have its hard not to enjoy you talking about music like that, thank you...
Thanks Ruben. That was VERY kind of you to say!
Just love listening to Mike. I watched his "Genius of John Lennon" and then his performance with Phil Keagy (splg?). Very nice and he is a great teacher of the seeming taking for granted compositions in history. Excellent.
What a great breakdown of the harmonic movement in this classic song. Fantastic job Mike. Thank you for your great insights.
This is so detailed and yet so easy to follow. Thanks for the amazing lesson!
Mike, one of my first real accomplishments on guitar was learning this song. I appreciate your insights into how the song has evolved over the years when performed by Paul. Plus the implied chords was very educational. Keep up the great work. Loving your posts on all the Beatle guitar styles too. Thanks!
I must say I love all the beatles videos you do and make everything so clear !
Thanks Dave! I appreciate the kind words.
So glad I found this. Well done. The simple beauty and genius of the Beatles presented with such grace. thanks again.
I keep finding more Beatles songs that you've done. No one does them better. You have an excellent way of teaching. Thanks so much.
Thank you Mike! There are so many wrong versions out there on youtube of this tune and this one is just perfect!! And there were a couple of things I never could get right with that index finger strum and your video spells it out perfectly - and sounds great! I like your approach the best with picking the last two notes. I need a little practice but then can't wait to get back out there and play it again! (the right way!). Many thanks.
I've been playing this "wrong" for 45+ years. Nobody seemed to notice though. I'm sure your take is more "authentic". The only major difference in my approach is I slide up to the Em and C# as opposed to going a string higher. Loved your veiw though, nice vid. Don't think I'll be changing -old dog, new tricks etc... Thanks.
What a brilliant exposition of your habilities to play's Paul style Mike. Congratulations. Very instructive tutorial. Difficult to find a similar one.👍👍👍👍👍
Hi, Mike! Greetings from San Antonio, Texas! I just discovered you and your internet presence last night, and I've been watching your youtube videos in binges for the last 24 hours. I just want to say that you are definitely a Class Act. You're obviously a fine musician, without a doubt., but I also highly respect the level of enthusiasm and integrity that you have for the music and your ability to effectively and infectiously convey that to us.... your audience. I absolutely love your knowledge of the technical and historical aspects of your song lessons. as well. I understand and relate to everything you say. I've been playing guitar since '72, and when I learned Blackbird, I wanted it to sound just like the original recording and used my index finger for the strumming, instead of finger picking it like others do. I pride myself on 1st learning how the artists originally played their songs. Like you mentioned here, then we can see how their playing evolves and changes throughout their careers. It's just thrilling that way for me. Anyhow, thank you for all the effort that you put into getting this level of infotainment out to be shared with us. I'm sure it's hard work. There are only 2 other guys here on youtube that I have discovered and feel that speak the same musical and historical language with the same passion as you do: Joe Bonamassa and Tim Pierce. And, I mean that as a sincere compliment. Thanks, again. I hope to see you here on youtube for a long time.
Thanks for the kudos! I'm humbled by your kind words.
Love how passionate you are appreciating the genius is that song. I love blackbird and now I know how to play it. Thanks Mike. Love your channel.
What a find!! I have not touched my guitars for over a year. I'm home with the Covid this week and I find your channel. What an awesome job you do. Now I'm into playing again and looking to buy another guitar to play these Beatles songs. So cool Thank you!
I tried to play this song for ever but I kept getting it wrong eventually I found someone that knew how to play it right .it's nice to see in this video I do play it right. wow that took forever
Fantastic lesson Mike! I play this song the amateur way but now that you’ve shown me a new way, I have something to look forward to as I practice it. Thanks a million, you’re a great teacher and a hell of a guitar artist
Thanks very much for this video, I love Paul's creations and now I love your channel!
This is a truly wonderful lesson. It all makes such good sense the way Mike explains it. Such great detail in all respects.
Great lesson on Blackbird, you nail it but what makes it so great is that we can tell you are enjoying it yourself.
Mark - Thanks Mark and yeah - it's an honor to dissect such a masterpiece!
That's a mighty effort. Much appreciated. All I have to do now is learn it YAY.
Pachelli's the best! very professional
...And he still speaks as he was conducting his programme
Wonderful job. I really benefited from your explanation of the full chords. I had gotten rusty after not playing it for a couple of years and your chord breakdown will allow me to think in terms of the chords. I love the interval breakdown. Priceless. I love music theory and Nashville Numbering system, so it will help me if I want to attempt it on piano or other instruments. Thank you for your level of detail. You are a top professional.
I just discovered your channel and immediately became a great fan. Your presentation, knowledge, and enthusiasm for the songs of the Beatles is the best I have ever seen; and quite contagious. I've been a Beatles fan from day-one. It's gratifying to meet someone from a different generation who is able to share so much substance about this legendary group. Thank you.
I was fortunate to be a 13 y/o in 1964 and like so many, started to play guitar after watching the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. I have been playing Blackbird for many years since and it is one of my favorite Beatle songs. I picked up the song by ear long ago and was interested to find out if I was playing it correctly after all these years. Your excellent lesson confirmed that I was. I very much enjoyed your explanation of the implied chords that Sir Paul used in this beautiful composition. I look forward to all your other Beatle song lessons. Now I am not only a tremendous Beatle fan, but a "huge" Mike Pachelli fan as well! Best regards.
Thanks John and congratulations on having great ears! Please, if you get a moment check out my cd's at mikepachelli.com cheers!
Hi John Christiano - I am the same age as you, I learned to play the Beatles songs on acoustic guitar at the same age, by ear. Took classical/finger style guitar lessons in 1968. Eventually got my fingers around Blackbird and Mason William's Classical Gas. Wish Mike P would do a How to play....... Classical Gas video.
Hi Pat,
Great idea!
Thanks for your message.
Take care,
John
Thank you very much for you effort and contribution to the enjoyment of playing the guitar. It's great to learn how to play such a wonderful piece just like the master, Sir Paul did it.
You are most welcome Jim. I'm so glad I could be of some assistance.
Thanks for clearing up the strumming pattern so clearly. (I’ve only being playing it wrong for 45 years!)
Learned this back in the day, when I often learned Beatles songs from memory (we all heard them so often... but it did result in a few curious versions :-) and never once used the record, and accidently came up with completely different fingering on the verse :-) I'll try to describe in case anyone cares to give it a try...
. Start with the C as noted (I pick up the open G "all the way up")
Note: Next is the change... and it really is easier to play once you establish the muscle memory for the run as the index finger never leaves the A string, and "walks" up the neck one fret at a time.... while the pinky moves up 3 frets, then down 1 fret on the B. This lets you also pick up the open G all the way up.
. Pointer up 1 fret while pinky goes up 3 frets (C#... A: 4th B: 8th)
. Next the D as noted (plus light open G)
. Pointer up 1 fret while pinky goes up 3 frets (D#... A:6th B: 10th)
. Next Em as noted... Pointer goes up 1 fret again, and pinkt goes down 2 frets
Note: On the run down I also use the Alt C#... (A: 4th B: 8th)
Anyway, just thought I'd share... first time I saw someone play the "right" way (many years later) I was a bit disappointed I'd "missed" it but it sounded OK so I never really thought much about it. Several years before I thought to check out the notes for both, and found they were identical so I just found fingering that made sense at the time (not a lot of tech help in 1969... lol).
Fantastic insight into one of my fav Beatles songs Mike, even though I'm a big John Lennon fan (and amazing you actually spent some time with Paul... explains the passion you have)!
Thanks for the kudos Michael. And since your a Lennon fan - do check out my Lennon videos!
ua-cam.com/video/Fb8YNfr9fFM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/60q4J1RnsUg/v-deo.html
Thanks Mike. This lesson gave me a way in to understanding how this song was composed. It always alluded me, as though no mortal being could possibly come up with something like this. But as you said, Paul himself was inspired by an older style, and previous great songwriters to himself.
I can only describe blackbird as a master piece, I am always thought it has a Bach influence, it really sound like a Bach pc, Genius stroke by Paul
Great lesson once again Mike and wow that hummingbird is superb
Finally one that sounds right! Thank you so much!
I saw an interview of Paul did with Michael Parkinson where he said he got the idea of the song while waiting for Linda in some waiting room which had an abstract painting on the wall of someone like Django playing the guitar with just 2 fingers on both hands. And he wondered if he could write a song doing the same the rest is history now. One of my favourite Paul's song because it sounds great without any vocals. :-)
DreamRubycon, my favorite source of proof of what you said concerning how this song to be played without singing is a duo that I used to work for, Judith Tulloch and Steve Franxhino. She plays the guitar, and he plays the flute. Their version of “Blackbird” always knocked my socks off. It was one of their occasional instrumentals, which I say because she was a singer more than a guitarist.
Great tutorial, Mike. Thanks for the in-depth explanation of the chords. I’ve played this song my whole life and didn’t understand the theory of the chords.
This is GOLD! What a beautiful song, and what a great tutorial. Thanks again so much Mike. I love your work.... from David in Melbourne, Australia.
Thank you Mike Pachelli! I love your guitar instruction. You explain things so well. I really appreciate your lessons. From, Colleen in Illinois
Cor! Man, you are so brilliant and a great teacher. Thanks very much!!!
Fantastic walkthrough - I play this song already but there is so many nuances to learn fro your tutorial - just great!
The chord symbol you outline at 4:10 by itself makes the entire lesson worth listening to. I’ve been playing this song since 1995, when I first began learning to play, and that chord by itself nestled between the phrase is “take these broken wings and learn to fly“ and “all your life” kept coming out wrong (even though I know that isn’t how it’s actually done). Thanks Mr. Pachelli.
Want to hear something bizarre and somewhat tangential? One of the singers and actresses/actors that I know sings this song a step and a half down in the key of E. It’s been half an adventure adopting/adapting a guitar voicing to match that key. Whenever I sing this song myself, I always replace the blackbird sounds before the third verse with a quotation from “Norwegian Wood“, “and when I awoke I was alone, this bird had flown.“
Incidentally, I have a soft spot for the Gibson model you played here, the Hummingbird. There was one point in 2005 when I almost purchased a Hummingbird for less than $2!000 USD. If so, it would’ve been the first Gibson guitar I owned and possibly the only one, since my preferred acoustic guitar brand (when I have the money) is Guild, and I have chosen Epiphone electric guitars. The money I had saved up went towards a Minimoog Voyager synthesizer instead, which I have no intention to part with, but I’m occasionally going to wish I had bought the Hummingbird.
Yea! That Eb aug 5 is an important passing chord Paul implies. Glad you can hear it!
Absolutely, man! It’s hard to miss with your scrupulous attention to details - coupled with my affinity for music due to lifelong legal blindness.
Mike you are Amazing !!!! Love all your videos !!! The guitar talent of those boys was amazing !
This guy is a great teacher!
brilliant. just brilliant!
Thanks for great tutorial now it's making sense going to learn this thanks again
My god,such wonderful lesson.You make sense of everything
Thanks Mike . Its a great pleasure to listen you
Gabriel - those are very kind words indeed! You are welcome and thanks for the kudos!
I learned Blackbird by playing the record and learning a little bit then starting the record over again till I got it down I bet a lot of folks learned it that way
That's exactly how I learned it also!
Excellent lesson, thank you.
Hi Mike,, Thank you for this wonderful lesson and all of your lessons,, This is the best lesson I have ever seen on this song,, Thank you for this wonderful gift :)
You are most welcome and thanks for the very nice comment!
Ken Musto....fully agreed. Mike, the traditional chord voicing are really quite good however after 50 years of hearing this song, naturally, the original seems to win...but this was better than interesting for me
Well done, Maestro!
Beautiful lesson
Mike, I'll add to the chorus of cheers....This video is soooo expert.....
Very cool guitar lessons. Thanks for visiting my channel. Glad I found you from there!
Sir Paul probably recorded it both ways because there are those flat 5 chords that you see in other Beatles songs. Also George and Paul talked all about as kids wandering all over Liverpool learning Jazz chords, so that they could play many more cover songs. As live at BBC portrays the Beatles were a great cover band!
you sir are incredible
Stunning
I was finally ready haha I thought it was unattainable but you made it easy thanks bud 🙏
Just might be the greatest pop song ever written.
Fantastic!🎉
I play this too ❤ it's such a good song!
Thanks Mike for a such a good lesson on a great song.
Mike, Your videos are awesome. Thank You, Sir!
Keep up the great videos mike!👍👍😎
great lesson!! guess I know what I'll be doing for the next few months!!
Hello Mike, I've only just come across your channel (sorry!). Your rendition of Blackbird is the best I've see (and I've seen a few!). Very clear and very well demonstrated. Now subscribed and will look out for more. Well done.
I could probably spend a couple hours working through the fingering on those chords. I am a lifetime beginner I am afraid Thanks Mike.
you are well knowledged and teach so we can really learn..exellent job!!! u tube should promote you more!!!
WOW! Thanks for this lesson!