---
title: 'The Secret of Paul McCartney''s Two Note Chords'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=rXY3fRg37mk'
video_id: 'rXY3fRg37mk'
date: 2026-07-31
duration_sec: 81
---

# The Secret of Paul McCartney's Two Note Chords

> Source: [The Secret of Paul McCartney's Two Note Chords](https://youtube.com/watch?v=rXY3fRg37mk)

## Summary

Paul McCartney's 'Blackbird' uses a subtle two-note chord technique where strings are flicked with the back of the fingers instead of being pinched, letting open strings ring around the shape. This short lesson explains how to apply the approach in different keys and how it can transform your guitar songwriting.

### Key Points

- **McCartney's Flicking Technique** [00:02] — Paul McCartney doesn't pinch two-note chords in Blackbird; he flicks the strings with the back of his fingers, activating open strings around the two-note shape.
- **Experiment with Open Strings** [00:18] — Take the two-note shape idea and try letting open strings ring around those shapes in different keys for a fresh sound.
- **Key of E Example** [00:32] — In the key of E, activate the B and E strings (the two top strings) and let them ring around the chord shape because both notes belong to the key.
- **Songwriting Transformation** [01:13] — Practicing this technique changes how you view the guitar as a songwriting instrument, making it a powerful creative tool.

### Conclusion

McCartney's two-note chord 'secret' is a simple picking technique that lets open strings ring into the shape. Mastering it unlocks new melodic ideas and a deeper songwriting mindset.

## 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.