Forum

Why do you use your thumb to hit the G string in Blackbird, instead of using your first finger? I have always played it using my first finger to hit the G, does it matter?

Thanks Kenny

Hi NKenny,

This was covered in an earlier post:
http://www.totallyguitars.com/forum?fun ... id=74#1991

I learned Blackbird (incorrectly) before I found TG- and even posted a version in the 'TG Community' Video section. You'll notice I started the vid off by saying 'not to play it this way'- for the reasons described in the above link.


Al

Thanks Al

I guess I should have checked past posts, sorry

Kenny

Kenny,

I think we have gotten a few too many thousand posts to always research questions before asking. I think it's great to bring anything up, as I know somebody will resurrect the answer way before I can.

The nutshell answer to your question is that the common technique knows as Travis Picking (erroneously named after somebody who didn't do it), needs to have the bass notes alternating strings and all hit with the thumb for consistency in tone and volume. This is not the way Paul McCartney played it anyway, but all that is discussed in the TARGET lesson.

Neil

Neil

I played Blackbird with my thumb,the best I could, and WOW what a difference the G base note sounded so deep. I never realized how week I was playing it. That's why I'm here to learn all I can, Thanks

Kenny