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10.26am
31 March 2008
Offline
I don’t play my guitar as much as I used to these days, but I stumbled upon a couple of YouTube channels that people might enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mjsokes
There are loads more. Perhaps if other people find good Beatles tutorials – for any instrument – they could post them here.
NOTES added by Ahhh Girl on 1 May 2014. I combined several threads dealing with learning to play the guitar (techniques, tutorials, video guides, etc.) This post of Joe’s was the first of the first. The original thread title was “Beatles guitar lessons on YouTube”. The first four posts were a part of this thread. Joe’s link goes to a defunct YouTube channel, but the other links are still working. Joe mentioned “any instrument” in his post. We mostly have guitar information here. We could start a new thread for another (or other instruments) if the need arises.
The second thread begins with post 5 and runs through post 13. The original title for that thread was “Playing The Beatles music on guitar”.
The third thread begins with post 14 and runs through post 47. The original thread title for that conversation was “Guitar question for the guitarists…”
The fourth thread is post number 48. The original thread title for it was “Beatles Guitar Secrets!”
The fifth thread begins with post 49. The original thread title for it was “The Guitar Tips Thread”.
There was one other thread that was a one-post thread. Here’s what it said:
tkj said (26 November 2013)
Everything that’s related to guitar are allowed on this thread!
I’ll start off with a question: I am considering buying the Epiphone Texan, inspired by 1964. Its a cheaper version of the guitar Paul wrote “Yesterday” on. I am wondering if anyone got any experiences with this guitar, and should I buy it?
For future reference, this thread can be used for any of the general guidelines set out in this post or post 49 (partially replicated here in this post), or on-topic comments on ideas throughout the thread.
Mr. Kite said
This is the thread for all guitarists, including bassists, to talk about technique, certain instruments/gear, and give/ask for any tips about playing a certain song/style/etc.
Recently, I’ve been trying to learn/improve my blues guitar playing and soloing, so to start off this thread, here‘s a guy I found on YouTube with some great blues lessons. For those learning it’s probably wise to start here.
Please contribute tips and useful websites/videos, and anyone with a question, please ask because someone probably knows the answer!
Enjoy!
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
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7.01pm
27 March 2010
Offline http://www.youtube.com/user/Scugs
He doesn't really do tutorials, but if you watch and try to play along, it's really quite helpful! 
I'm in love, but I'm lazy.
11.58pm
4 April 2010
Offline Joe said:
I don't play my guitar as much as I used to these days, but I stumbled upon a couple of YouTube channels that people might enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mjsokes
He's also a very good pianist.
"The best band? The Beatles. The most overrated band? The Beatles."
2.33am
8 April 2010
Offline http://www.youtube.com/user/beatleoyaji
This guy has really good bass videos. He's covered HEAPS of songs, as well. I don't think he does tutorials, but you can see what he's doing close up
10.52pm
17 January 2013
Offline I recently bought an acoustic guitar. I have barely touched it, not due to a lack of interest but due to (still healing) wrist injuries, I have to be very careful. Anyways, I bought a chord book, a Beatles songbook, and a Paul McCartney songbook. I’m realizing that their, as well as Paul’s music, is probably not the easiest material to start out on. I know that I am a super beginner, but I find the chords they use are always really hard ones (even with their very early stuff). Or the song will have mostly easy chords, with a couple really tough ones thrown in. I get it. It is The Beatles, they are effing Gods, so I don’t find it at all surprising. I started looking at other random songs by other artists and they are so much easier in comparison.
I have seen that there are some guitarists on here so I was just looking for some advice. Would it be best for me to start with easier stuff and eventually go on to do Beatles (and Paul’s) stuff? Other than “Mull Of Kintyre ” and “Lovely Linda” by Paul there are no easy songs to start with.
Thanks! 
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11.53pm
1 November 2012
Offline I’ve played acoustic guitar for over 30 years. A nice fairly simple McCartney song would be “Every Night “
https://www.beatlesbible.com/f…..ls-vocals/
I know it looks complicated, but here’s a trick: For the complicated parts, just finger bass notes for each chord, then when he sings the “woo woo” part that’s a good place to practice chords, since it’s just E to A to E to B7 — repeated over and over.
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2.48am
Reviewers
17 December 2012
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LongHairedLady said
Would it be best for me to start with easier stuff and eventually go on to do Beatles (and Paul’s) stuff?
I’ve always thought a good place to start is where they did, good old three-chord rock and roll. Reminds me of a music book I bought in the 80s, “The Best Rock’n’Roll Songs Ever”. All the songs in it that The Beatles had covered were taken from their arrangements. To the degree that the sheet music for Honey Don’t included Ringo’s shout-outs to George!
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2.53am
6 December 2012
Offline
I am so sorry for going off-topic, but your remark about three-chord Rock ‘N’ Roll reminded me of a T-shirt I saw once. It said “Definition of a rock concert: Playing three chords in front of a million fans. Definition of a jazz concert: Playing a million chords in front of three fans.”
I found it funny.
Okay, now, carry on with your on-topic conversation.
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2.59am
17 January 2013
Offline mja6758 said
I’ve always thought a good place to start is where they did, good old three-chord rock and roll. Reminds me of a music book I bought in the 80s, “The Best Rock’n’Roll Songs Ever”. All the songs in it that The Beatles had covered were taken from their arrangements. To the degree that the sheet music for Honey Don’t included Ringo’s shout-outs to George!
Good call!
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
3.03am
17 January 2013
Offline Egroeg Evoli said
I am so sorry for going off-topic, but your remark about three-chord Rock ‘N’ Roll reminded me of a T-shirt I saw once. It said “Definition of a rock concert: Playing three chords in front of a million fans. Definition of a jazz concert: Playing a million chords in front of three fans.”I found it funny.
Okay, now, carry on with your on-topic conversation.
Very true. 
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
9.56am
27 December 2012
Offline Sad but the bit about Jazz is true, but I like Rock and Roll too. John liked to use barred chords, 7’s especially the B7 a lot. If you’re trying to learn the guitar, I suggest that you don’t learn his style as your first. His style is very distinctive.
Get Back in it’s simplicity is the easiest Beatle Song to play in my opinion (rhythm wise). As long as you don’t play the Blues part A to A6, D to D6. The chords used are simply A major, D major, and G major.
2.13am
3 March 2012
Offline Cheat! Lol… Seriously. As you learn proper technique you’ll surely want to screw around on the side with some Beatles. If you can’t finger the whole chord just play it partial and only strike those strings. If you can’t switch fast enough for a chord heavy verse, skip the connector chord and let the previous chord ring. Make it your own until you can play it properly. Besides, it’s just rock n’ roll… Have fun!
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3.24am
17 January 2013
Offline …ontherun said
If you can’t finger the whole chord just play it partial and only strike those strings. If you can’t switch fast enough for a chord heavy verse, skip the connector chord and let the previous chord ring. Make it your own until you can play it properly. Besides, it’s just rock n’ roll… Have fun!
That’s a great way to put it, thanks for the advice! 
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
12.55am
17 January 2013
Offline I have been learning a bit of acoustic guitar, mostly strumming. I have tried using a pick (or a plectrum) but I just hate it. I’ve tried and tried and it just feels so disconnected from the guitar. Is this possibly because of my inexperience, or could it just be personal preference? When I was a kid I played the ukulele fairly well, and I hated using a pick to strum then, too.
I like to use my thumb. I started this way because I would practice late at night, and it was quieter so I would not wake anyone up (basement suite-thin walls). Now I can’t get used to any other way. On that note, I have considered putting a short acrylic nail just on my right thumb. Has anyone else tried this? I know Paul gets one on his index finger when he tours for playing songs like “Blackbird “.
Thanks! 
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Beatlebug"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
1.59am
29 December 2012
Offline There are quite a few guitarists who play a lot with their thumbs. Jeff Beck, for instance.
Although, I do hear quite a few really new guitarists say they prefer using their fingers or thumb because of inexperience with a pick. Personally I enjoy using a pick a lot more than my fingers, but I’ve also used a pick since day one.
That being said, it really doesn’t matter. How long have you tried a pick? I would try it for a couple days before I decide I dislike it, but that’s just me. But if you really don’t like a pick, it’s not going to handicap you at all. In fact, I have a lot of respect for guitarists who use their thumb for picking… I can’t do it for crap!
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Beatlebug2.06am
1 November 2012
Offline It’s quite possible to strum without using a pick. The most common way I think is to hold your fingers together open hand slightly cupped and just brush your four fingernails back and forth across the strings — or brush them all in one direction (not back and forth, just “forth”).
I haven’t used a pick in years. I like to fingerpick anyway, using my thumb, index finger, middle finger, and rarely also my ring finger (I grow out my nails on my right hand a little for this, but I keep my nails super short on my left hand, so they don’t get in the way when I press down on the strings). Some people just use thumb and index finger to pluck and to occasionally strum. I knew a local folk musician (Francois Arambel) who only used those two because he had lost his other three fingers! — and he could do complex stuff many people can’t do with all their fingers intact.
I once thought of gluing false nails on my fingers, because my natural nails kept breaking, but I never got around to trying that.
Another tip: buy a “zither pick” — a pick especially for zithers, they are wafer-thin, flexible, and don’t feel so thick and cumbersome.
Faded flowers, wait in a jar, till the evening is complete... complete... complete... complete...
2.40am
13 March 2013
Offline One thing I’ve always hated in myself, is becoming so obsessive compulsive about every aspect of my playing. I’d recommend you do what makes you feel comfortable, happy and then….natural. it’s your best shot at developing your own style and tone that maybe someday others will want to emulate instead of being just another good guitar player.
But regarding the pick, for acoustic strumming especially, you might want to be sure you are using a light to medium gauge pick. It adds a clickety rhythmic tone and less resistance to your feeling of connection. Electric….I go heavy picks even experimenting with metal, but acoustic I find is warmer and smoother to play with a more flexible pick.
2.53am
17 January 2013
Offline Thanks for the help everyone! I have tried quite a few kinds, from very thin to very thick and lots in between. I could probably try for longer. Each time I try to play with a pick I get frustrated after a few minutes and I’m back to the thumb.
I had acrylic nails for a few months last year. It sucks getting the strength back after taking them off, but having only one would be fine with me. They totally feel like your own nails, so it would probably work well.
PS: Welcome to the forum! 
"Please don't bring your banjo back, I know where it's been.. I wasn't hardly gone a day, when it became the scene.. Banjos! Banjos! All the time, I can't forget that tune.. and if I ever see another banjo, I'm going out and buy a big balloon!"
7.37pm
1 December 2009
Offline I started out using a very thin pick, and eventually developed the lazy habit of picking with my index fingernail. Actually, the pick feels better for strumming those big six-strinig chords, whereas if I’m picking out single notes or chords involving just a few strings, it’s much easier to use the nail. Really, though, I’m a terrible guitarist and have only ever mastered really rudimentary things. (BTW congratulations on passing the 500 post mark! 
)
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9.29pm
31 March 2008
Offline I never, ever use a plectrum. I’ve never got on with them. I strum the strings with the nail of my index finger, or (more often) fingerpick arpeggios from chords.
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