The Beatles – Blackbird
Learn how to play The Beatles – Blackbird note-for-note on guitar.
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Barre Chords: No
Thumb-Over Chords: No
Playing Style: Fingerpicked including fingernail strums
Tuning: Standard
The complete file contains a lesson video, a performance play thru video, full tabs, chords and lyrics. You’ll receive a link to download the lesson which will download as a two zip files of 206 Mb total containing all the lesson content.
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Return to Individual Songs Page
You’ll receive at least two videos per song, one lesson and one performance-standard play-through. You’ll receive the chords/lyrics and guitar tabs as PDF files.
The videos are mp4 format and should play on PC’s, Macs and most mobile devices.
They will download as Zip files. If you don’t have a Zip program on your PC you’ll need to install one to open the file. I use Zipeg which you can get free, here.
If you want to download to an iPad or iPhone you’ll need an app to do so, please read here to know more about it.
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The Fishpie Sky says
So back in the day, and much to my amazement, I actually worked out for myself how to play Blackbird.
Initially with open G tuning (which I’d picked up from a Joni Mitchell song book), I realised that open G tuning isn’t a mile away from standard tuning and soon started playing it in standard tuning.
All this time however I’ve played the Cm (just after “all your life”) as a full bar chord on the third fret, realising it’s not what Paul did.
Jerry, your tutorial reveals the correct shape and bugger me, its a simple one note change down from the previous chord. How thick am I.
I’ve only just discovered this site and what a treasure trove. Songs I love but haven’t learnt to play and songs I can play but, like Blackbird, need the tell-tale tweaks of authenticity.
Thank you Jerry.
John mc manus says
Can’t get download tab on I phone
Jerry says
Hi John
Please click the tab inb the main menu above marked “Downloading on iPads and iPhones”
Thanks.
jason says
Trying to load blackbird and will not download
Isa says
We’ve just sent it. I guess the problem is your email address (you need a valid one)
Kathy Rawlings says
Thanks so much…I’ve always loved this song..I’m so pleased that I’m actually getting it…With a bit of practice I’m going to be doing a good job of it….THANK YOU!!!!🙂🎸
Jeremy Sparks says
Your website is a revelation! I went immediately to Blackbird, and I wondered if you ever tried playing it as follows:
With the exception of the opening G chord and a D7 at the end, ALL chords can be fingered on the 5th string with the 1st finger and the 2nd string with the 4th finger.
The opening slide up to the 10th and 12th frets is kind of an announcement to the guitar world that McCartney has come up with a brilliant idea: sliding only the two previously mentioned fingers up and down the fingerboard. It’s fun to do (although some of the L.H. stretches are a bit daunting).
I wish I had discovered your website sooner, but I’m only 64 (speaking of McCartney songs!) so I have a few years left.
Jeremy
Jerry says
Hi Jeremy,
After making this video I saw video of McCartney playing it live where he does what you’re describing. It’s the same notes of course, so there’s no audible difference, but where a chord can be fingered on the 5th and 2nd strings, he does that,
John mc manus says
No e mail link on I phone
Alan says
WOW Jerry what a great site and professional material!
I downloaded Blackbird and think there might be an error in the TAB at ‘All your life’ shows 3&4 should be 4 on the A string?
Great stuff.
Alan
Jerry says
Good spot Alan. I’ll try and get that corrected asap. Thanks.
Thomas says
Thanks Jerry for this. This is one of the very few videos on the net that actually teach it correctly, how Paul played it. Very good.
Phil says
Hi Jerry
Thanks for this – very clear,although not quite what I was expecting. I played this some years ago on an open G tuning DGDGBD which gives you two note chords all the way through on strings 5 and 2. I thin I might have gotten it from a UK magazine at the time, but it certainly worked. I guess I now have two ways!
Phil
Jerry says
Hi Phil,
You could play it that way I’m sure, but thanks to YouTube we have video footage of Macca playing it and you can see he’s playing it this way.
Cheers.
Jerry
Philip Borg says
Hi Jerry just discovered your lessons oh boy! instant fan straight off. Thank you cheers Phil
Richard Leach says
Hello Jerry.
I have just discovered you on the net and look forward to learning some songs with you. This morning I have purchased the James Taylor set through PayPal and have asked for a couple of your free songs. I haven’t yet heard from you about downloads. Did I miss a step in the process?
Eagerly.
Richard Leach
Michael Swiers says
Excellent transcription – well explained in the lesson – nailed it musically – what’s not to like?
Many thanks.
Michael Swiers
James says
Thank you for this Beatle Classic Jerry you nailed it!
As usual a detailed and controlled explanation of the song. Excellent!…
Mark Freudenberg says
Hey Jerry, How about a link to the lesson so I can download it. I practice in my music room and away from the computer with the internet. So I alway download your lessons onto a memory stick so I can play them on an “old” computer. This also helps to put it into Mike’s video SloMoDirect which I really like to use when learning new songs. The U-tube link looks like a great way to entice new customers to your website but for those of us that need no selling on your great products its a bit of a run-a-round.
Thanks a bunch. Sincerely, Mark
Jerry says
Hi Mark,
I hear you. It was an experiment to see if folks preferred the faster download, but I’ll put up the whole lesson as a download. Should get to it tomorrow.
Cheers
Jerry
donna says
I found your guitar lessons very awesome. Thank you so much. I have just started and learned 2 songs already. By chance you have any christmas songs? thanks again
Jerry says
Not yet Donna. There’s so much still to get to but I like that idea for the future.