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Blackbird Tutorial (McCartney Clips)
This tutorial is based on Paul McCartney's live performance at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2004.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfjUEBT9I
The camera work on this live performance has some closeups of Paul playing the guitar.
However, even with the closeups it is difficult to see what he was really doing.
So I slowed the video to get better insight. At a slower speed it’s easier
to see how he is finger strum/picking. However it was even more helpful to hear the rhythm
of the finger strum/picking patterns to discern how he is playing the song.
I had been playing the song with a pattern that sounded close to the song, but was still not
quite right (to my ears). Here is what I observed from studying the video:
1) The arrangement of the live performance is different from the arrangement on the White Album
2) There are 2 distinct picking patterns
3) Pattern 1 is a pinch on 2 strings (depending on the chord form) and a downward finger strum
4) Pattern 2 is a pinch on 2 strings (depending on the chord from) with unique thumb and
finger strum/picking actions - I break this down in the video
In addition to this tutorial I made a "Blackbird Practice Vid". This video shows the live performance
with the chord forms so you can play along with Paul.
https://youtu.be/hik4jaPRvuA
CC translations in Chinese, French, Hindi, Spanish and Swedish are available, just click on
Settings (the "gear" widget), select "Subtitles/CC" and select a translation.
VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 00:50 Intro
00:50 02:33 Pattern 1
02:33 04:47 Pattern 2
04:47 05:53 Song Structure & Intro
05:53 07:53 1st Verse with 1st Turnaround
07:53 08:26 2nd Verse
08:26 10:06 Chorus
10:06 10:38 Repeat 1st Verse
10:38 12:10 Repeat Chorus with 2nd Turnaround
12:10 13:46 Repeat 2nd Verse with Ending
13:46 14:18 The Close & Outro
RECORDING GEAR
Camera 1: iPhone XR
Recording Guitar: sm81
Narration Mic: Blue Yeti
Audio Interface: UR22mkII
GUITAR: Martin D28
EDITING SOFTWARE
DAW: Reaper
Video Editor: filmora
ACOUSTIC TREATMENT
Bass Traps
3 Acoustic Blankets
2 Panel Diffusers (24" x 24")
DIY Mini Vocal Booth
This is an Educational Video
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DISCLAIMER: References to company brands and/or logos are for educational purposes. I am not endorsed by, affiliated to or in any way representing the company.
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