---
title: 'Discover How Paul McCartney Builds 2-Note Chords'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=WGbdeH5oAiQ'
video_id: 'WGbdeH5oAiQ'
date: 2026-07-31
duration_sec: 81
---

# Discover How Paul McCartney Builds 2-Note Chords

> Source: [Discover How Paul McCartney Builds 2-Note Chords](https://youtube.com/watch?v=WGbdeH5oAiQ)

## Summary

This short guitar tutorial breaks down Paul McCartney's two-note chord technique as heard in Blackbird. The instructor explains how McCartney uses open strings around small two-note shapes, and demonstrates the approach in the key of E. The video emphasizes how this technique can transform the way you see the guitar as a songwriting tool.

### Key Points

- **McCartney's String-Flicking Technique** [00:02] — In Blackbird, Paul McCartney doesn't pinch the strings. He flicks them with the back of his fingers, activating open strings around small two-note motifs.
- **Open Strings Around Two-Note Shapes** [00:18] — The core idea is to take two-note chord shapes and surround them with open strings. In certain keys, this creates a rich, resonant sound.
- **Demonstration in the Key of E** [00:32] — To apply this in the key of E, the instructor activates the B and E strings (the top two strings) so they ring around the chord shape, since both notes are part of the key.
- **Effect on Songwriting** [01:13] — Practicing this technique consistently changes how you view the guitar as a songwriting instrument, opening up new creative possibilities.

### Conclusion

Paul McCartney's two-note chord approach is simple yet powerful: let open strings ring around small shapes. This technique can fundamentally reshape your guitar playing and songwriting.

## Transcript

to the open strings being activated around this little twoot note shell. And this is exactly what Paul McCartney was doing with Blackbird. He's not doing a pinching the notes. He's actually flicking the strings with the back of
his fingers and activating some of the strings, the open strings around those little twoot note shells. So we can take this idea and start trying open strings around these two note shapes. And in some keys this creates a really
to the key of [Music] E, what I'm going to do is activate the B and the E strings, the two top
strings, and let them ring around that chord shape because both the E and the B belong to the key that we're in. [Music]
And you'll find as you do this more and more, it fundamentally changes the way you look at your guitar as a songwriting instrument. Women.