How to play "I'll Be Around" by The Spinners for Guitar

The Spinners "I'll Be Around" for guitar
My first attempt at making a "How to" video
Here is a link to the Bmaj7 chord shape some have had some problems seeing what I'm doing hope this helps. Just leave off the note on the 5th and 6th string.
www.guitarchords247.com/guitar...

[@jeeves251]

THANK YOU!!!!!!! I think this is one of the greatest pop songs of all time and I've always wondered how to play it. Super helpful lesson. Thanks a million times, you are a great teacher!

[@89wls]

@FunknGrvn No problem. "It's A Shame" was a hit for the Spinners on Motown in 1970. This was a pet project for Stevie Wonder. Berry Gordy gave Stevie the Spinners to work with so Stevie wrote the song, played almost all the instruments on the track and produced it. The problem was that Motown already had a 4 & 5 piece singing act (Temps & 4 Tops) so the Spinners just sat there until their release to Atlantic & Thom Bell :)

[@lamontdavis6212]

MY BROTHER YOU ARE THE BEES KNEES!!! LOL!! I HAVE THE MOST AWKWARD FINGERS AND GET INTIMIDATED JUST HOLDING AN INSTRUMENT BUT, THE WAY YOU BROKE IT ALL DOWN SOMETHING FINALLY CLICKED I THINK I CAN DO THIS I LOVE THIS SONG AND PLAY IT THE TIME AND JUST KNOWING HOW TO PLAY ONE SONG .SEMI.OK.. WOULD MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A FULL BLOWN ROCKSTAR!! THANK YOU

[@williefufu2985]

David Chaffee, its just like me to be late, eight years late. I saw this Video while I was at work, unable to comment until I made it home. This lesson and tunes spoke to me. You are an awesome Guitar Teacher. I would have expected more Videos from you, but there's more things in life to do, I understand. I just want you to know that I appreciate your work.

[@FunknGrvn]

Willie Fufu ty brother. I'll try to get back into it:)

[@williefufu2985]

I hope so, you have a true Gift.

[@funknsoul4eva]

Still watching this video to this day. Learned a lot and made my own adjustments to suit my playing style.

[@larristeiner6136]

Got it. I have played bass in the 70s and 80s and played bass when every body wanted to be the guitar star. Timing was right for me. I learned to play guitar chords to help me understand when im playing bass to. Thank god for chicagos song books' Youre chords are right , but the 2nd chord is a c#m7. Thank you. John S.

[@jasongaretthatcher]

Great video. I've watched a few tutorials on this song and I think this was the best.

[@walther9161]

Love this song and am itching to get on my guitar!!

[@BolsaChicaRadio]

Great! Great! Great! However, on a side note "I'LL BE AROUND" was The Spinners first hit with "The Atlantic Recording Group" with Philadelphia producer Thomas Bell. "Motown", was their previous label The Spinners were with throughout the 50's, 60's and up to about 1971. EVERYTHING thing else you shared with us on this guitar tutorial was exceptional! Thank you! BCRadio

[@auraman1000]

Heard this song on the radio was surprised to get a tutorial on it, thanks for a informative lesson

[@todhamilton5055]

Very nice, thanks for simplifying some thing that I have been making too complicated. I love the spinners so underrated.

[@Neophyte442]

I changed it around a bit to keep all the chords closer together and to be more of a comping style. Here's the breakdown... xx4x7x xx6x9x xxx4x7 xxx444 xxx14x xx4344 xxx14x xxx444 ect..ect..ect.. Still practicing it, but it keeps the movements on the neck smaller. Great tone by the way! Thanks for posting this vid. No matter what these guys say, it was actually a good first demo.

[@parsonsprod]

This is the best guitar lesson on the web for this song. THANK YOU :)

[@xrxs1020]

This song has always stood out as DISTINCT. Its repeating three-chord structure puts it in the annals of songs (modal?) in which a mood is created devoid of standard music structure. Voila, an evocative song appears. Melodic and moving. Thanks for pointing out the specific chords! I'd always wondered about them every time I've heard the song. Been playing instruments for fifty years ;-), and now I'm going to get my trusty ax out and work this song out!

[@xrxs1020]

For folks who might want a simpler and fuller acoustic guitar treatment to, say, play at the next open mic, the key can be taken up a half step to F. Then in first position, the chords are accessible with minimal movement: FM7 to CM7. The precise voicing may not be EXACTLY the same (but CAN be), yet the basic harmonic structure is present. Thinking about working out my own version to play for a certain woman I know............;-) As with most songs, there are many ways to play them and get a similar effect, and affect. Again, good job in pointing out the precise chords on the Spinners' hit!

[@blooze50]

Thanks, this song has been rattling around in my head for days now. BTW, this isn't a Motown creation, it was written by Thom Bell, and recorded at Sigma Studios in Philadelphia for Atlantic Records. The beginning is actually a guitar, probably the work of T. J. Tindall.

[@kgaasmart]

This is a frickin' awesome breakdown dude, thanks - been trying to figure this out!

[@FunknGrvn]

Thanks Gil:)

[@WeBeRhythmProduction]

Dave, thanks for breaking it down for me, I appreciate this. I've always wanted to add this song to my solo acoustic set.

[@kits0607]

You are a great teacher! Keep these philly-motown tutorials coming! Great job! Excellent Song selection. Fantastic

[@hendry69]

Dave, thanks for posting this. Always loved this song, and wanted to learn it. This will keep me busy for awhile. For a first attempt, you hit a home run IMO.

[@steveroberts2242]

Fantastic. Such a cool riff

[@kstengele]

laid back and unpretentious. informative and generous with your knowlegde and obvious passion for music. thank you. I've loved that song for decades, and I'm a metalhead

[@tonykarasek4816]

Gotta say, David - your chord voiceings are way better than what I'd learned elsewhere. Your clear and thorough presentation even got through to a hack like me. Thank you very much. Reaching for the guitar now !

[@FunknGrvn]

Thanks for the kind words hope it goes well brother:)

[@mdstingray]

I am a bassplayer for 25 years and just started to pick up the guitar just because of this song. It's still a mess when I play it, but I'll get there in time :-) Thanks for sharing man.

[@7gorm7]

Thanks man, loved this tune forever, such a great progression

[@toppofff]

THATS THE BEST TUTORIAL EVER FANTASTIC YOU ARE A GOOD TEACHER THANKS MAN

[@codythunder]

Great job! I've been waiting years for someone to do this for this song on youtube! One of my favorite songs of all time to. Keep up the good work man, cool set-up to!

[@gatorchris2980]

Thanks so much for that lesson! I love this song and committed myself to learning it on guitar as I figured it hasn't been overly covered. What a great instrumental!

[@PorterAnderson0228]

That was great. This is one of my all time favorite songs. You showed me a lot.thanks

[@nonsequitur7687]

well done!! this explanation will appeal to both experienced and inexperienced players. you rarely find that in a tutorial. to my ear, the inversions sound 100% correct, also rare.

[@GospelBassLines]

Great break down! Thanks!

[@jmc3213]

5Stars! _ Phenomenal tune and excellent job discovering the chords and phrases. THANKS.

[@dlvial55]

This is a great video, really awesome for a first attempt. I'll have to try this.

[@halfjackson471]

Man, those chords sound so sweet. Great job!

[@markmarshall357]

Nice job! Just proves it doesn't have to be complicated to sound awesome!

[@andreabennett]

Super! Very helpful.

[@martinmendoza1673]

thanks bro been looking for this everywhere

[@donaldkeller7536]

Dude! so awesome! strat is so clear too. Excellent job! thank you very much.

[@dennismelia2325]

love the Devon Allman cover of that song. Thanks for that info sounds great!

[@bustan44]

Nice, you really nailed the sound of it. Thanks.

[@alonsozavala7148]

Thank you so much for putting this up, great lesson/video! You are awesome!

[@SFTbeats]

So gooood. Sounds very accurate. Thanks for the tutorial. Excellent work.

[@stratmandont69]

This is great! You've combined the guitar parts to make a really cool version....chord voicings are terrific, thanks :-)

[@aabatez]

You've done an excellent job at presenting this. I really appreciate your presentation of this cool song. Keep up the good work!!!

[@glowaves]

You nailed it man, thank you.

[@del1rn]

Our band wants to learn this song. I'm the guitarist & lead vocalist. I had it down close, but this sounds "right." Thanks for the tutorial!

[@datalaforge]

So badass! This is also one of my all time favorite songs.

[@lynnenaylor1]

Nice work David.....sweet sound there bro.....well done

[@foreveralive6949]

Very cool. Not a song that I would expect to find a guitar lesson for, but I was pleasantly surprised. Nice job.

[@MrZofo]

Yep, just what I needed. Nice work!

[@mmhh7499]

IMO, your inversions sound just like the record.....when you add the F# bass note with the Eb minor, it's an F#6......the 3 Philly International guitarists ( Bobby Eli, Norman Harris, Roland Chambers )knew all those cool voicings that I've seen in the Mel Bay chord book.....thanks for showing us the REAL!....

[@quicknessstyle]

Great, bro! Can't wait to try it.

[@susan462]

Hello, amazing and thank you so very much, this is one of those song's when i hear it i smile and feel the music/lyrics in my soul, and now i am off to learn to play it..

[@amoxycycline9909]

Wow, that was incredibly helpful! (and well explained). Thanks man! I look forward to hearing more renditions of classic motown songs. Perhaps a one-guitar arrangement of "My Girl"?

[@TheGeezey]

great work you've helped me through the chords.

[@LPSWBB]

Excellent job with the lesson! Very cool chord progression.

[@Paul-Mac]

Hey, thanks for the post! I might could have figured it out, but you just saved me a lot of time! On the Eb minor thing shaped like the major 7, I'll try putting an F# bass on it and call it an F#6. Good tone, good job!

[@TheRealDirtySkillz]

Thanks Dave. That's a good. One. You got any samples in high quality version floating around? Your guitar is clean.

[@Davelembo]

Thanks Dave for taking the time to show us your take on it. The chord voicing is sweet. Got a little George Benson vib going. I found it a little easier to play the last octave in the forth fret position on the G & E string. Lines you up for that first chord [ at least for me]. Then throw it in the looper and solo over it. Keep em coming Dave

[@FunknGrvn]

No prob and you are absolutely right that is where I play that last octave since making this vid, much easier.

[@neogeoriffic]

Thanks bro, that was pretty damn cool... cool jazz that is.

[@rusafety]

Great instructions!!! I was seeking all over the web; for how to play this song thanks Ruben from The Latin Waves Band

[@autumnstoneful]

Great Riff - Thanks for sharing your knowledge !

[@BlueBentley426]

@FunknGrvn This seems like trying to do calculus to me. It's amazing how they were able to create wonderful music like this back then w/what they were working with, less technology. Some Jamaican guy produced the song, he was amazing. It all seems quite amazing how they put it together.

[@marseillesdefrance]

Wow!!! amazing demonstration! wonderful!

[@rip4100]

very nice ... was looking everywhere and couldn't figure out this progression

[@RobbieCalifornia69]

Excellent job David.

[@jerryfranks259]

Thanks!!! Always loved that song!

[@MrBuc128]

Yes I agree going from the B in the opening lick to the E maj 7 chord shape is difficult to get to in time .It doesn't sound bad but it does not sound as quick as in the recording.Another way to play this might be to play the octive 8 fret 3rd string [G] and 11th fret 1st[E] string this of course is an E flat note .Then from there go to the E maj 7 chord shape that you mentioned .Just a suggestion it might or might not help

[@thomasmarengi2951]

Thanks, man. Best Spinner’s song.

[@icitnow]

wow this is great! I loved that you made the change between first two chords, really easy (I am betting that it was played that way by the "real" guitarist?) and everything sounds so smooth. Another youtube channel has a good lesson on this song also but that first chord change isn't quite as easy/smooth. I think that 3rd chord is a F#6. This is one of those songs that really gets into your head. I've always loved how the song's melody "bounces" off the G#min. Great job!

[@vegasmobydick]

Great job! And nice approach. Thank you!

[@woteverboy]

i love these song soooo much. thank for the lesson but can u help as with that last bit when u doin the bridge.... i just love that part the most

[@gordonray3091]

Great Job David.Love this song.

[@tomflush]

Thank you FunknGrvn, This is a great lick cause it really captures the nature of the song. So simple yet its so powerful - you can really groove to this at home - brings back so many memories of the seventies when guitar was king, really - that era - for all styles. Great instructions - please keep up the good work !

[@tireengineers860]

Man that sounds great i wld love to hear you play the whole song

[@CodyCEngdahl]

Dude! Exactly what I was looking for. This is why I love youtube! Thank you, thank you thank you!

[@truewealth50]

Very nice,thanks for your help

[@jimmc2990]

nice job with this. Just discovered it.. thanks for posting! :)

[@deereater82663]

Excellent! Great job, thanks!

[@pd1030]

great job.. love this song!

[@ernied349]

@David Chaffee Beautiful you nailed the cords, what an underrated band that Motown used.

[@HenryGuenette]

Can you show me how to play "show and Tell" by Al Wilson? Thanks

[@FunknGrvn]

Thanks for the kind words brother glad you liked it. Isn't it amazing a good piece of music will grab you no matter what your tastes:)

[@paulcooper5748]

I love this song great lesson.

[@AllenPinchloaf]

Nice job David.thanks for sharing.

[@leonardbateman8602]

Nice! Great tone!

[@fosterjazz]

That was really smooth my man... Thanks.

[@Blaazaram]

super well done, nice job dude thanks

[@frankkramer9064]

Gotta SIng this one next week at rehearsal for the first time ,,, thanks Dave ,,,,

[@paulgerrardbrown]

Thanks Dave, great help and I like your work...

[@FunknGrvn]

Paul Brown Thanks for checking it out.

[@iio58]

Genius! Sounds great

[@PerryD504]

Awesome lesson. Thanks so much.

[@Rafe6200]

Jes awesome! apart from bein VERY FEW(almost none) guitar lessons on this, this is by far da best! Thnx 4 ur insight man

[@FunknGrvn]

@ndoroutlets Thanks for checking it out man:)

[@FunknGrvn]

@Rafe6200 You're welcome thanks for checking it out.

[@smizzle528]

EXCELLENT VID! I've found after a little noodling that its a little easier to play the chords without those huge jumps if you just play the Emaj7 with the "A shape" and the Bmaj7 with the Jazz "E shape" and apply that same finger picking logic... just adding to a great lesson for a great song!!!

[@ThePastorheath]

Great job! thanks for the help. I found that playing the E flat minor is best played at fret 6. Bar freet 6 and play the 2 at string 2 fret 7 the 3 at string 4 fret 8 and the 4 at string 3 fret 8. This keeps in the same area as the rest of the song. Good job...

[@easternlvrs10]

Awsome job on the song.

[@funknsoul4eva]

Thank you . That was a very nice lesson.

[@TheBbtlegit]

Great job.

[@NMiHandyMan]

Good video. That last note of that octave climb can be done at the place you started, but put your fingers one string down. Now you can grab that 1st chord faster because it's right there. I'm practicing this song. Hope to one day cover it. But for it's simplicity, it's very accomplished. I may never get to where I can do it justice.