how to play "Across the Universe" on guitar by The Beatles | John Lennon | acoustic guitar lesson

[@DrewJPS]

That guitar is tuned to perfection.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Drew Layton Thanks Drew! cheers

[@อุทิศลัทธิเลิศวิชญ์]

Drew Layton

[@ebookpioneers]

Yeah, well, tuners will do that.

[@edwardgarner1299]

KRISTUS: not exactly. Each guitar has its own "personality" which may require adjusting string tensions differently.

[@RubensBarrichello.]

Drew Layton no such thing as perfect tuning on a guitar.

[@indisummers4385]

This is the only acoustic version of the song that satisfies the magical quality that this song possesses - somewhere between a lullaby and a ballad.

[@kavousniamir2375]

@Samuel Wallace It's a mantra... hypnotizing!

[@edgarwatts8960]

Wow

[@NytronX]

The Beatles have a naked version of the song that's only acoustic and vocals on their official KZbin channel. There's an excellent cover on KZbin by George Clements, one of the GOAT covers on KZbin. The Frusciante AI cover is phenomenal as well.

[@art.s9421]

"Across the Universe" a beautiful and priceless piece of music.

[@philboyer9076]

Absolutely awesome song. Never understood why Paul and George didn't have enthusiasm for it. One of the most beautiful melodies and lyrics ever written. Love your desire to make sure your lesson is totally faithful to the record!

[@eray9934]

It actually sounds more like a George song to me...

[@danielmauric8491]

@@eray9934 Indian trip influence, John also picked up the vibe, obviously, George arguably dwelled on it too much.

[@axiomist1076]

This has the most beautiful lyrics John ever wrote : "Words are flowing out, like endless rain into a paper cup, they slither while they pass, they slip away across the universe" . I like the version that includes the two girls picked out from the bunch that were always hanging around the front of the studio , Aileen Pease and Lizzie Bravo (Brazilian), who were friends. Paul brought them in to sing on the chorus ("Nothing's gonna change my world"). John didnt like that version (Wildlife album ?) and released the other one later. BTW, you are a very good teacher. Its perfect for beginners.

[@why-qs3tu]

@Kyro Zephyr LMFAO

[@landocal001]

Dude, you were born to play and teach guitar. The best lessons on the web.

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Perfect! I love the way you pay attention to accuracy and all the subtle parts. Probably my favourite Beatles song.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+LeftHandedGuitarist Thanks bud. Yeah, working on this song put me in such a great space! cheers

[@redeye18477]

What patience, what humanity. Thanks for your selflessness.

[@sunking2001]

Truly...a masterpiece of guitar and lyrics. I believe this is John's best...a true genius. This song is proof.

[@Michael23Austin]

Simply put, this has to be one of the best guitar lessons on the web. Comprehensive, yet easy to learn at just the right pace. And the arrangement is superb. Many Thanks! I was happy to make my donation. Please keep the lessons coming!

[@oldfart2240]

damn...okay I teared up learning to play this beautiful version

[@IlluminaudioOG]

Only took ~15 seconds of your playing for me to subscribe. Cleanest playing I've ever heard.

[@michellemckinney4678]

This literally makes me tear up. So beautifully played. And it makes me sad…what a terrible loss.

[@laurentrobertboutier2361]

You give the best guitar lessons I've ever seen on youtube, the best design, on all levels: educational, technical, sound and visual .. And no unnecessary speech ... A real success .. Great ..

[@johndermont2231]

Always great clear instruction on this page. I will always look for the shut up and play dude if I need to grab a tune fast. The best YT instructor in my opinion. He’s like the wizard of oz though. His identity is hidden from us mortals. His tuning, chord voicings, sound and intonation are always dead on!

[@carlbaumeister3439]

One of Lennon's masterpieces. I like your additions.

[@monkeydna7490]

your tone on your guitar in all your tutorials are awesome

[@Easternborders]

This is great I am going to learn this tomorrow, as its past my bedtime now, and I just bought a new guitar today so my fingers are really sore ,it is good to have a good tutor.Thank you

[@michaelashe5265]

That sequence starting at 12:36 is brilliant, thank you!

[@johnelleson6970]

You got me out of a rut I've been in for years. I feel free ! Thanks so much.

[@jonnatanpena8243]

Man! John needed your help!! He was never satisfied with the final version. I have seen many many videos and listened to various versions and I can tell that John was struggling to transcribe to guitar what was playing in his head. While the other Beatles were talking he was quickly moving his hand around the high neck probably trying to find THE chord that would give him the open full sound that you achieve here. I am talking about the Chorus part...I mean. Great job!.

[@diegoayala11]

Needed to learn this song real quick so decided to check things out online and came across your tutorial ~ my daughter asked me to learn it so she can sing it @ a service for her husband's grandmother, who loved the Beatles ~ cheers and music for ever ~ DA

[@leighcarroll3484]

wow man...hands down you are the best of the best on the internet. Everything is just flawless....you wearing all black..against a black background leaves no room for distraction. Your flawless talent, nailing every single song. With all other tutorials out there I just hate when they talk and talk...but you are a wealth of knowledge on every song..throughly enjoy hearing the information on every song...so interesting to listen to....thanks for all your hard work and dedication. You make my guitar practice so much better than it was.

[@davidb2206]

"Imagine" a 27-year old going downstairs and composing this song.

[@wawawawa128]

He wrote it about Cynthia talking too much

[@jdog6804]

Jack Gregory lol really?

[@johnbevan4684]

@@jdog6804 Yes, it is.

[@lewisbons2503]

It's easy if you try

[@stephensmith1034]

The genius of John Lennon.

[@aniyaanderson3676]

Acoustic versions always find a way to make me cry.

[@rebeltz2010]

Amazing and truly beautiful,song, you're teaching Style is accurate and really thought out well and is truly appreciated, cheers from Australia special thanks coming!

[@malego3501]

Time Stamp for my progress 5:57 8:02 10:23 13:10 16:13 Full thing 18:00 Outro

[@malego3501]

A few days of practicing and I got it spot on. Thanks man! No better teacher on this site than you :)

[@EpicGamer-vc3eg]

@@malego3501 who you replying to lol

[@Mwtorres89]

I have that exact 214ce Koa model.. it really does sound that good. It’s my favorite acoustic

[@RobyMBeki]

Never stop your work, you are doing so great... ❤

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Man you got talent! I remember listening to my uncle play this song. Thanks for sharing

[@iamsobadme]

This is a really beautiful rendering of Across The Universe, it sounds really good. Thanks for sharing this.

[@JohnSmith-cy8hq]

Dude I really like the thought and detail you put in your lessons. The actual technicalities of the guitar part as well as general information about the song. Please never stop making Beatles tutorials. I was wondering how the 6 string sounded like a 12 string and then I read it was double tracked. That ought to do it :) Great sound.

[@conifergreen2]

Mesmerizing. Sounds so good.

[@landocal001]

Jammed this with a couple of Beatles fans and the were like, wait, that's not how I play it. What were those chords? Thanks bud. You are awesome.

[@dano6270]

so glad I found you man. such a great gift you have and sharing it makes you legendary. by far one of the greatest guitar teachers on the planet.

[@bubbleboy238]

I have to say that this is, to me, the best lesson that I have heard, and you are without question great at playing the quitar .. and your teaching is flawless....a new fan and student

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks bud!

[@truegangsteroflove]

Great lesson! I probably will never learn it, but just seeing this has made my day.

[@umbertoyltp]

Crafted into perfection! The intro was for me the hardest part to master. The embellishments are very supportive to the song. I even noticed that the two alternating notes are very playable alongside the chords.

[@skeletonkey6]

Great lesson and excellent arrangement, my friend. Thanks so much for posting this up. ❤

[@VeeDubJohn]

For the past few weeks I've been thinking about this song and my not so correct version. Was hoping you'd do a lesson. Big smile on my face, looking forward to an evening with my guitar. Thanks bud!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+VeeDubJohn Thanks bud, also thank you for your donation. I really appreciate it. cheers

[@truckatadders]

It is a beautiful song. I saw Charlene Spiteri, the lead singer from Texas (the band, not the state) cover this on Later with Jools Holland. She absolutely smashed it & the song has stayed with me ever since ❤

[@randym335]

By far the best teacher on youtube. You have an incredible ear. Thanks for posting.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Randall Moore Thanks Randall.

[@themuttbucket8964]

love this song....and the Wainright/personal enhancements just add a beautiful touch to a classic...it's all good

[@yorrick1971]

Your tutorials are amazing: no longer than they need to be, yet every single nuance captured. And a great manner in communicating the whole lot. I'm really, really impressed - will send you a donation tomorrow. The Beatles ones have been particularly useful to me, in spite of the several other decent Beatles tutors out there on KZbin. When i say 'every nuance' btw i mean not just those that are in the song, but that are implicit in it (your added harmony notes for example which, again, is really nice - thinking the best way the song could sound with just one guitar and a voice. But bloody hell, your Eleanor Rigby is another level! Amazing. Thanks.

[@aidanB.]

Your chord voicings for this song are achingly beautiful. Great lesson too. Thank you for sharing.

[@alterego5985]

god damn it, man. it sound exactly like the record. this is beyond amazing, thanks

[@markgavin313]

I love your lessons - these Beatles songs are so great to play. For years I've been focused on playing blues but am now discovering a whole new world. thanks hugely!

[@PaulPauliePabloPaolo]

Cant thank you enough for not taking 10 mins to show me how to play a D chord. Ive learned a few Beatles tunes this week from you, Always solid and accurate lessons. Thanks!.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Thanks MrPaolo101. If you haven't already, please check this out: www.shutupandplay.ca/donate.html Cheers Andy

[@Huck19Bella]

Wow! What a great tutorial. Loved the Rufus Wainwright additions, really makes the song sound that little extra ethereal and sweet. Thank you very much for making this! :)

[@kulafudahdahdah5229]

Best Guitar Tutorial I have seen on KZbin.

[@gregggetchell1713]

Thank you for helping me refresh this song. It's probably my favorite Lennon song but I got tired of playing it. Super job in getting those little voicing chords over the chorus and at the end. You really make things clear and understandable! I certainly became a subscriber today.

[@FlaschDJ]

My favorite Lennon song is “Yer Blues”. Raw.

[@charleslascari7191]

John's and the Beatles' most beautiful song, most beautifully played.

[@abasin08]

A lot of folks question the tuning, sure that’s a part of resemblance, but they’re not giving the guitar credit, some guitars have a ladder or x brace build that truly amplifies the sound; put all that together involving his hand technique in the strings and the guitar. The guy does a wonderful job.

[@InkquiringMinds]

Have you thought of doing this in drop D? The only tricky part (apart from avoiding the low string) is the G on the second "nothing's gonna change my world" in the choruses. I just play that with ring on the low string at five and index barre across B and E at 3 sliding it down one fret on the off beat (muting the E string). As soon as I played it like this, it immediately reminded me of Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas".

[@pianozone-now]

I can only imagine how much time and attention you put into each song you release. It's so incredibly done. So thoughtful, so professional. So great sounding. And such an easy to follow, watch a million times and try to do it half as good as you. Not to mention you give us all the specific details we would ask for in the description box below. So smart. I actually have the same guitar as you at least the "Taylor 214 ce" part, only lefty and G-L instead of "koa deluxe" at the end. I've spent more time throughout my life playing piano, but more recently got into guitar which I had dropped in childhood. In part, you're inspiring me. And I love your song selections. Some of my very favorite all time songs. Rock on. With sincere appreciation for who you are and what you do:-) You're definitely making the planet a better place and also "across the" entire "Universe." Thanks Again!

[@ketan199]

As I have said before; thanks for the time u put in, it clearly shows up in the end product, amazing. These lessons must take an incredible amount of effort to produce.

[@johnjdevincentisjr.5331]

You are one of my favorite teacher..

[@kevinlever9117]

Best Embelishments Best Guitar Teacher And Of Course Best Guitarist EVER

[@daviddotson5695]

By far one of the best teachers on Utube! Thank you

[@frandanco6289]

Just beautiful, mi Amigo !!!!! Thank you for all the work you do to bring these incredible talented people to the light we all needed to see clearly how much talent they all really had.. I am so grateful for your work, thanks again !

[@ninilaudiza6746]

Thank you for the detailed lesson and unselfish support to all guitar lovers.

[@ahmadaljassem5068]

I swear you're the best guitar teacher on youtube.

[@jbrooks1348]

Beautifully done....as always. Many thanks for your efforts in helping the rest of us ham-and-eggers get by.

[@DantoBossFace]

loveeee the chorus tone on that acoustic

[@JimHabash]

You really do a good job friend, your example brings much more to an already beautiful song. The guitar has great sound too!

[@JimHabash]

I also hear little bits of Phil Keaggy ; Beyond Nature album from 1992 in this song, he is a big Beatles fan.

[@chubbyluna4467]

Is that a taylor 414ce? Sounds great. Keep on posting tutorials. You are a great teacher!

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

For more information on this lesson and the TAB go here: www.shutupandplay.ca/across-the-universe--acoustic.html

[@JQBMusicandTutorials]

Do you have a footage of your band playing?

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

I haven't been in a band for many years Jay. Cheers, Andy

[@windoss15]

Hey man that is such an incredible video of mastery of a guitar tutorial method of Across the Universe I have seen and will ever see! Thank You very much for your mastery and the sound of the acoustic guitar!

[@JKFlaker]

Thanks for all your tutorials. They are always spot on and easy to follow. Just addedthis one to my To Do list . Thanks again.

[@spencer5914]

Thank you for this - I love the additions you have made too. Subtle but effective and compliment the melody perfectly.

[@sorendefre1674]

Absolutely BRILLIANT!!! Thank you so much for such a wonderful lesson,and wonderful playing!

[@GKFC]

One of the few lessons to actually try to play the chorus like the Naked version. Most just hang around a traditional A chord, I appreciate you taking the time to play something more accurate.

[@ricardorivera3385]

A worthy rendition of this fabulous tune. Lovely guitar too!

[@tekkelfred]

A truly awesome interpretation of this song. You turn the guitar piece into a one man band. Thank you so much!

[@chtebruk]

Thanks Andy for your kind way of explaininig ... and more !

[@LustDcay]

quality work good SIR ! greatest how to ever in my 20 years of youtube

[@Deliquescentinsight]

I found this one particularly helpful, thanks so much

[@jordanabel1512]

Been waiting for this lesson done properly for so long, thank you!

[@keitheubanks5678]

Well, now I know what I will be doing all weekend. Thanks for yet another great lesson. You are a wonderful teacher. I have learned a great deal from you. I appreciate the extra time and detail you put into these lessons. I always loved this song, Just watching you play the intro made me want to learn it.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Keith Eubanks Thanks Keith.

[@kkrau788]

Great lesson, as always. I love the Rufus Wainwright embellishments; he's an amazing artist!

[@victoriatebeest4948]

Cannot believe you decided on this one,,beyond coincidence, thank you!

[@Kupcho58]

One of my all time favorite songs. You do it very well. Thank you.

[@jdaywork2693]

I really like the Rufus Wainwright nod. Beautiful!

[@vamito3070]

Love what you did with the embellishments! So good!! Thank you.

[@richardawaters]

A truly great lesson, beautiful version too...many thanks from NZ

[@andypugliese]

This resulted in me going to a park and playing this newly-learned song to birds and frogs. You made my day, thanks.

[@goskuco2485]

woooah man, that's one of my favourite songs by The Beatles! thank you so so so much

[@MICHAJO27]

Just thanks! Again. Love your tutorials...the way you're playing the guitar... the way you're teaching. Thanks a lot!.

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

+Michael Hölzen Thanks Michael.

[@sunaJH]

Very nicely played, love that percussive sound you are getting on light steel

[@ShutupAndPlayGuitarTutorials]

Except I'm not using a pick...

[@rafaol.5132]

beautiful chords

[@krockweeks]

thanks man! great lesson. i love the way u worked out the vocal melody into the guitar riffs!!!

[@TomSimpson4]

Another GREAT tutorial. You nail every detail. Thanks man!

[@jefferywestbrook]

Thank you for putting up such great version of this song. I've always loved it, but you made it interesting to play! If only there were ten of you to do all my favorite songs.

[@junglerful]

Beautiful embellishments, it really suits the song well. Thank you very much!

[@stanrubin9409]

Nice guitar. That Taylor sounds so sweet.

[@tonyroma7644]

this guy is the best on youtube

[@michaelvaladez6570]

Love everything about this song the lyrics the melody 💙 ❤ 💕. One of John's ethereal ✨ songs, Dream landscape. I love how you do you tutorials, you are a very good instructor.!!!!

[@golflre7179]

Very nice arrangement. Well explained - thank you.

[@mez5590]

Your lessons are fantastic! If it wasn’t for you I would still be trying to figure out Still…You Turn Me On…thanks!

[@josephw.berchockrealestate4421]

Provoking....definitely takes me back to my eight track in the Mav'