Paul McCartney's Blackbird picking secret
30sFans love learning exactly how McCartney creates that iconic Blackbird sound with a surprising finger technique.
▶ Play ClipAI 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.
Chapters
[00:02]
McCartney's Flicking Technique
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.
[00:18]
Experiment with Open Strings
Take the two-note shape idea and try letting open strings ring around those shapes in different keys for a fresh sound.
[00:32]
Key of E Example
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.
[01:13]
Songwriting Transformation
Practicing this technique changes how you view the guitar as a songwriting instrument, making it a powerful creative tool.
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.
Mentioned in this Video
Tutorial Checklist
2
00:02
Instead of pinching the notes, flick the strings with the back of your fingers to let adjacent open strings vibrate.
3
00:18
Experiment by placing two-note shapes in different keys and letting open strings ring around them.
4
00:32
In the key of E, activate the open B and E strings (top two strings) to ring against the chord shape.
Study Flashcards (5)
What hand technique does Paul McCartney use on Blackbird's two-note chords?
easy
Click to reveal answer
What hand technique does Paul McCartney use on Blackbird's two-note chords?
easy
Click to reveal answer
He flicks the strings with the back of his fingers, not pinching the notes.
00:02
In the key of E, which open strings are activated to ring around the chord shape?
easy
Click to reveal answer
In the key of E, which open strings are activated to ring around the chord shape?
easy
Click to reveal answer
The B and E strings (the two top strings).
00:32
Why do the B and E strings work for this technique in the key of E?
medium
Click to reveal answer
Why do the B and E strings work for this technique in the key of E?
medium
Click to reveal answer
Because both B and E belong to the key of E.
00:44
What effect does McCartney's two-note chord technique have on songwriting?
medium
Click to reveal answer
What effect does McCartney's two-note chord technique have on songwriting?
medium
Click to reveal answer
It fundamentally changes the way you look at the guitar as a songwriting instrument.
01:13
What is a 'twoot note shell' in the context of this lesson?
hard
Click to reveal answer
What is a 'twoot note shell' in the context of this lesson?
hard
Click to reveal answer
A two-note chord shape around which open strings are activated.
00:02
💡 Key Takeaways
🔧
Flicking Instead of Pinching
Reveals a specific, actionable picking technique that demystifies McCartney's signature sound.
00:02
💡
Open Strings in the Key of E
Shows a concrete application of music theory (which open strings fit a key) to create resonance.
00:32
💡
Songwriting Mindset Shift
Encapsulates how a small technical tweak can expand creative possibilities on the guitar.
01:13Full Transcript
[00:02] 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
[00:18] 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
[00:32] to the key of [Music] E, what I'm going to do is activate the B and the E strings, the two top
[00:44] 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]
[01:13] 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.
