IntermediateFolkKey of G096 BPM

Blackbird

The Beatles

Chord Chart
G     = 3 2 0 0 3 3
G/F#  = 2 2 0 0 3 3
Em    = 0 2 2 0 0 0
Cmaj7 = x 3 2 0 0 0
C     = x 3 2 0 1 0
G/B   = x 2 0 0 3 3
A7    = x 0 2 0 2 0
D7    = x x 0 2 1 2

Strumming Pattern

Fingerpicking: thumb alternates bass, fingers play melody

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About This Song

Blackbird by The Beatles (1968) uses a fingerpicking technique where the thumb alternates bass notes while the fingers play the melody.

The Descending Bass Line

The magic is the chromatic descending bass line: G → G/F# → Em. The bass note descends by half steps while the top strings maintain the chord shape.

Practice Strategy

  1. Learn the bass line alone (thumb only)
  2. Learn the melody alone (fingers only)
  3. Combine slowly — the synchronization is the challenge