How to play Michelle - The Beatles

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Click here for my Beatles playlist featuring ALL of my song lessons from The Beatles! • The Beatles
As one of the great acoustic Beatles' songs, "Michelle" has become one of the most played of any in the Beatles' song catalog.
Released in 1965 on the Rubber Soul album, "Michelle" contains lots of interesting chord forms for us guitar players to get our hands on.
In this video guitar lesson, I will show you how to play Michelle in it's entirety step-by-step.
We basically have 3 different sections to focus on including the intro riff, chorus and bridge.
For starters, we have that really cool descending bass line progression in the intro. Every time this bass note descends it creates a new harmony. Even though it is chromatic is sounds very musical and works quite well.
It does require a bit of a stretch towards the end of the riff, so make sure you have your hand in a good position for that. The last chord will require a little bit of muting as well. Focus on holding that chord properly and muting that G string before working on the strumming pattern.
From there we go to the main chord progression of the track when the vocals come in. There are some really cool sounding chords here and the whole thing sounds great with just one guitar and no vocals. I know the guitar parts can be quite difficult to hear on the original recording, but the harmony (except for the diminished triads) is pretty obvious if you are trying to follow along with the original recording. Just use your ears and they will tell you when the chord changes should arrive.
In the bridge section we are introduced to yet another odd chord form at the 4th fret. Try to treat this chord form as just a regular barre chord shape. In fact, it is just a standard Ab7 chord shape with the addition of an F on the 2nd string (making it a Ab13 chord).
So take your time and master each section one at a time. Since you will probably run into some chord forms you are unfamiliar with, you may have to focus on them individually a bit at first.
Enjoy!!
Carl...

[@lampyridae3280]

These are chords that go together well.

[@samyuktasatish29]

Haha good one

[@toveriemppuz1252]

@Ben Apollo yes yes very nice virus you've got there

[@toveriemppuz1252]

That's quite sus that these first two replys have accounts that were both created a month ago

[@dawsongartry4375]

Nice

[@mariguana7918]

I’m dead

[@kenallenart]

"The must've bought McCartney a chord dictionary and he just went nuts with it" made my day :D

[@Rockinxsteve]

Actually the way paul plays it is with a capo so most of the chords he teaches aren’t actually present in the real song if you really wanna play it like Paul look up “shut up and play” he’s the best for making all songs authentic

[@HoneyTone-TheSearchContinues]

Yeah, I laughed too. But, no books needed when you consider Paul had the Beatles gigging with "Till There Was You" before they hit it big and recording it 2 years before "Michelle." Plus he wrote and played "Yesterday." I'm sure he just absorbed everything around him. Plus he had George Martin and Harrison and Lennon and bunches of studio musicians to contribute.

[@kenallenart]

I just want to tell you that I really appreciate the way you teach man. Not annoying or show offy you really just want people to learn.. respect.

[@markcorliss3059]

Mr. I'm a devout Beatle fan. I saw them on Ed Sullivan show at age 9. I was hooked and they only got better from there. This is the beat video I've seen on this song, fabulous job Mr. keep em coming😊❤

[@lazydude4509]

Michelle, ma belle all my fingers hurt and they just swelled my michelle.

[@findyourlevel9601]

Funny! Sorry 'bout your digits!

[@samyrandome425]

*I GOT BLISTERS ON ME FINGERS*

[@nba2k17myparkcareerandbadg6]

That shit was not funny buddy

[@jimmybacon1]

@@samyrandome425 typing with only my right hand rn, blisters are killing

[@grahamcarr6738]

This is a great lesson - really well structured and paced. In the progression from C# to C7, there is an additional Fm before returning to the signature phrase. But this is just a very small detail and the ear takes you there anyway. Great work - many thanks.

[@adamreyes9824]

100% agree. I noticed it seemed off when the bass went back to Fm but we had stayed at the last chord he showed before the signature section. You could honestly play it either way; his way kind of builds tension by holding that chord but the orginial version flows a bit better.

[@davechrystal]

I noticed this, too. I was playing along and something wasn't right. There was a whole piece missing, and it indeed is the Fm before the intro/pre-chorus.

[@caxapom]

Finaly i can play this song! It was easier than I thought, but only thanks to the lesson. Thank You very much, Carl!!!

[@beaveittoleaver2327]

I'm sure you're a professional. Now I can play it without a capo - the right way. Thanks a MILLION!! Great tutorial bro...

[@patrickstar5596]

Well I was going to play this to Michelle but f that

[@smokedsalmon8280]

I’m telling Obama

[@patrickstar5596]

Smoked Salmon don’t you dare

[@Tamara.sharer]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@YimingSunBC]

Paul McCartney chord dictionary? Haha. Love your tutorial!

[@markgarvey6330]

Thank you for breaking this song down. It's fun to play and your style of instruction is very helpful.

[@handlethisnut]

I learned this with a capo but then forgot since i don't have a capo to play with. i used a pencil and a rubber band. now, i'll learn it THIS way w/out the capo :D this is a Great Channel by the way

[@JCloyd-ys1fm]

I love that part with the diminished chords. Thanks.

[@Low.Key.Music01]

Finally, a video on Michelle that doesn't use a capo

[@vishalwall]

dude... i have no words to thank u...

[@tooltool5824]

That was really easy to explain a bit tricky at first but goes like a knife in the butter after some tries ,thanks !

[@neiloshodges2816]

More accurate than the capo at 5th fret version but harder to sing effectively. I like it 🙂

[@JESSICABell-l6b]

Thank you Karl, I always wanted to play "Michelle", beautiful chords and rhythm, you nailed it, will follow your lead, thanks again, we'll appreciated ❤😂🎉😮

[@XxwilsonxX067]

Hey thanks man! Put a lot of the pieces I was missing together. I also appreciate the capoless version as I can never seem to find mine when I want it.

[@chadross]

This is one of those songs like "Sure I can play all those chords no problem, I'm just lacking finesse, memorization, aptitude and all the stuff necessary to make it sound good."

[@harn3ss]

and thats why we can’t ever stop practicing 😂

[@bdizzle715]

LOVE your lessons! Well done! I appreciate what you do! :-)

[@joelenonn]

Hey dude, you are awesome but I´m so slow. But I really will play this song. I just check this video a few days ago and really love it. I hope you still teaching.

[@benwilson52]

prefer this to capo version. capos affect tone. This lets the guitar sing with the lyric. Wish you ran it all the way through and sang it to really put it all together. THANK YOU.

[@pppoopoo2886]

I wanted to learn the song but ended up finding a really cool chord from the beginning of the song and wrote a whole song of my own and now I’m back. Thanks for that😂

[@harn3ss]

why the hell does this not have more likes 😅

[@Camiloatkinson]

Thanks for doing this video, I' m now having some fun playing the song.

[@ro3784]

Thank you for refreshing the chords of this tune. You helped clarify correctly and accurately. There are other parts but they are all coming back. Thank you so immensily.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍💥🎶😎

[@julianavillanueva3308]

The sliding part is really hard.

[@beaveittoleaver2327]

It's not hard from a "D" chord position, yet on the "A" string. It's not hard...

[@shimyazai]

Thanks for the tutorial. Its just u missed the Fminor part again after full C7 chord, just before the intro take back. Good lesson anyway

[@stevesilverman5296]

Unless I missed something Carl, you dropped a couple of bars. Specifically, where the lyric reads "until I find a way - ay - ay, I will." I hear two beats each of C7, Fm, Bbm & C7. Then it goes into the descending intro line. Otherwise, great job as usual!

[@bunchie1966]

McCartney didn't need a chord dictionary. Unlike modern songwriters, he didn't stop when he had learnt four chords.

[@JapaneseModernist]

ok boomer

[@JapaneseModernist]

ok boomer

[@marples8453]

@@JapaneseModernist ahhh dont say that. That broke my heart

[@marples8453]

@sameh strauch yes you are right. He had talent and he learnt so much thing

[@josh_7569]

@@JapaneseModernist shut up, bro. You're not clever or edgy.

[@chriswalker8277]

That was great. Thank you! Great to play along with

[@nyc3299]

Very nice lesson, especially to show how to play without a capo at 5th fret. Didn't you leave out the Fm that needs to be played after the full bar C7?.

[@turtleflavoredskin]

nyc3299 yeah theres a chord missing before he goes back into the intro

[@adamsalazar8214]

This is what I’ve been wondering also...

[@adamsalazar8214]

I would’ve liked to see the entire song played so we can see how it sounds out together with this arrangement, because I’m finding a hole after the C7.

[@shimyazai]

Yes.. he forgot the Fmajor chord again before to intro part

[@shimyazai]

Yes he missed the Fminor part

[@jgfunk]

Great lesson. Thanks!

[@rafaelleon426]

very interesting, to play this song withouth capo, and the very similar effect. it was very nice, my friend!

[@angieasadi3583]

I need help!! I'm new at this so I don't understand it very well but at 2:02 in the video I don't get how to do it. can you please explain it. thanks!!

[@zhairewelch8291]

angie asadi did you ever get it?

[@AngelMartinez-qs3cf]

Hey great lesson, but what happened to the solo, when he sings, I love you, I love You, I love You?

[@benedictmeyer6092]

Angel Martinez thats the f minor part

[@Andy-cc4qy]

I considered myself an average level player but playing this all together just freaks me out

[@amadeuxm]

What thing don´t you like about this video??It´s perfect explain it

[@cheltv87]

You're the man Carl!

[@rjwohlman]

This is excellent thank you. However you are missing two measures at the end of the chorus. When the words hit, "until I find a way...". It's an f major chord that hold the rhythm pattern till the opening lick. I have learned several songs from this channel thank you so much.

[@ivanrojasperu]

Thank you for the video but... aren't you missing the last bar in the bridge? 😧

[@dylan5286]

Fantastic, great video it helped a lot!

[@Steve-of8zo]

I love all your lessons. You get right to the song and don't explain one section or one chord so many times ir you are confused and tired (Marty)

[@bellygunnermusic]

you're great man

[@tonivicentemarco7910]

So Much Beautiful, Thanks.

[@gregoryviper]

Dude ! I love your videos ! I learned so much new songs from you and i just wanna thank you for sharing your guitar skills to the rest of the world. I kinda got an request song for ya :) Can you may do Bad Penny from Rory gallagher? Many thx

[@MR-sd2of]

Carl, could you do a lesson on the "Lola" by The Kinks? That would be great...

[@enriquecavero2523]

Hi Carl. I am writing to you from Argentina. Very good! With all due respect, I suggest that for your tutorials you film yourself in front of a mirror, with the camera behind you. In this way, we will see your hands and your guitar as we would play. It's just an idea. It is understood? Thank you!

[@joeherrjr]

Great lesson but I have a really hard time stretching to make some of those chords. Problem is when I stretch my fingers farther apart the tips curve in toward each other, lessening my reach and making for poor fretting.

[@JoeLeonardo]

Is there a chord missing during the F#m part? It sounds like there should be something after the Cmaj7 6th string bar chord (right before going back to the intro part). BTW great video! I've always wanted to learn how to play this song.

[@jaschh]

It cutts off after the G#7/6 (4th fret on the low E chord) and goes straight into the intro, while he's still singing.

[@Loud0glbc]

I love this style of teaching and I know it’s 7 years old … but man I wish you just said things slower

[@Paul1963music]

Genial Maestro !!! 👍

[@julia-db8ru]

so beautiful

[@TariqElAndalusi]

Thanks 🙏🏽

[@paulgillam4224]

good tutorial!

[@alexandredomjan4942]

One of my Beatles's favorite songs, Thank you for your lighting ! I love the sound of your acoustic guitar. What is the model and brand of this guitar?

[@stomacsband]

genious you and Paul

[@backtoshallabal6662]

Cool, but isn't Paul playing this with a Capo?

[@GuitarLessons365SongLessons]

Oliver Sanvictores Yeah he does but there are more guitars on track as well that don't use a capo. So this lesson kind of combines all of those so you can play the full harmony without a capo.

[@spankystew369]

Backtoshallabal ilfs

[@neilcrowesongs9768]

Awesome man

[@tdwisdom3711]

Carl is simply the best! I wish he had covered the solo. If he did, I could play it. I've looked at other videos on how the solo plays out and they are not as thorough as Carl.

[@mattdsgone]

Good song, does anyone know other songs that have this kind of guitar sound? Like french sounding or whatever ?

[@mmartinez8549]

Nantes - Beirut

[@alneal100]

Well, you could look up "La Marseillaise". That it a bit French sounding.

[@botJK2925]

Is there a chord missing after the C?

[@christophkotter7406]

perfekt - vielen Dank

[@pkramerable]

I liked the McCartney going nuts with a chord dictionary thing. Funny!

[@pocoace5415]

i had no experience in using guitar and ive never been touched atleast the string.and ive just found myself watching this tutorial because im in love in michelle song.im so dumb

[@yetispaghetti8235]

great vid as usual :) could you tell me what gauge your strings are for your accoustic please

[@GuitarLessons365SongLessons]

jason mullen I think they are just a standard light gauge from D'Addario. :)

[@yetispaghetti8235]

Thanks:)

[@ro3784]

If not mistaken, that tone is either the second set of a twelve string set. In other words you can string two guitars, one with standard 6 strings and another acoustic or electric with the second set standard tuned. If you think about it it does make sense or get another high pitched instrument or even possibly a mandolin.

[@CharlesLockeMusic]

Awesome !!!

[@roeidavid5340]

Thank you, great video, really simple to understand

[@Metalllians86]

nice lesson man

[@eljayq]

What was the part of "I love you, i love you, i looove youu, thats all i have to saay..."?

[@rajasharma4282]

that's the f minor part

[@eljayq]

@@rajasharma4282 yeah i checked it out, but thanks bro

[@joaot.7590]

Great dude! TY!

[@munsterfloyd]

Great tutorial. I had to buy a finger stretching machine though😂

[@oscartmic]

Hi Carl thanks for the lesson! I would like to make a request, please do one on Bob Seger's Fire Down Below, there is some great electric guitar work on that song. I have not been able to find any tabs or lessons anywhere. Thanks

[@itaybeyder9701]

how is the first chord is F ?

[@miaschumacher948]

Is there a possibility to tab this? I find all versions but this one on the Internet, and I love this one. Sadly I don't get all you show us...

[@leonidlerner1381]

What is the guitar you are using here?

[@15tefera]

When is the chuck berry solo video coming out

[@GuitarLessons365SongLessons]

omichael tmichael Later today. :)

[@luizmirandaluthier2742]

Cool... Very gooood

[@spankystew369]

Luiz Antonio Miranda luthier Milford

[@mikeybaloney6211]

Would be better if you include an annotation of the chord for every explanation. Much faster to grasp. just a suggestion.

[@juandaviid]

what guitar you use?

[@halogeek62]

this song is painful

[@bp__9862]

marshall come true

[@sforce1876]

capo on 5 fret helps alot

[@davetrent3682]

McCartney is a genius to rival bach Mozart etc thanks for your insightful tutelage

[@couldliveonyoutube1841]

Ben Harper said he had to get out his book of chords and said his fingers hurt when plating Michelle.

[@ianprescott7924]

This song makes me want to put my guitar down and never touch it again

[@findyourlevel9601]

Get some good Karma! Love is grand!

[@ianprescott7924]

Franco Fidel You don’t speak English, do you?

[@YouLookLoneIy]

@@ianprescott7924 I FUCKING SPIT MY COFFEE DUDE LMAOOOOO

[@victorvazquez7764]

can you do a My Michelle tutorial by guns n roses pls cant find a tutorial for the solo thx

[@adambarthelemy975]

I also have a song request. Could you do photograph by Def Leppard.

[@aaronwalakay]

The diminished chords remind me of SpongeBob

[@user-fi6rj6sv2k]

0:09 demo

[@zenaidarodriguez11]

Good

[@arthurcorral8301]

Thumbs up!

[@Stephen-cd1id]

Sheesh its a nightmare their are sooooo many people all saying the same thing and Im gridlocked :) i know i got to jump somewere but into whoos pool. I have narowed it down to 20,000 lol Just kiddin i like this site because of the accuracy of the songs and Justin Sandercoe etc. so many good teachers out there

[@oatnoid]

Hey I recognize a couple of those chords.

[@Marcelohhh]

what tuning

[@JoeLeonardo]

normal standard E tuning

[@joseluisbarbanente6842]

Bien tocada, todo el mundo la toca mal, saludos

[@Addepat]

Do you have Tabs?

[@albertomartinez2479]

I am of the opinion that this tune was written on piano. The conversion makes for very strange guitar chording. About MaCa's daughter Michelle a timeless musical composition. IMHO one of the greatest tunes of all time.

[@andriealinsangao613]

Paul DIDN'T have a daughter named Michelle; hell, he DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A WIFE AT THAT TIME!

[@lopata_of_death6894]

@@andriealinsangao613 it was a metaphore, dude. "daughter" means "creation".

[@andriealinsangao613]

@@lopata_of_death6894 Ooh, my bad! Didn't know that.

[@ajaybangi]

Nope. The lyrics say.. someday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song...

[@andriealinsangao613]

@@ajaybangi Ha ha ha.

[@dpvny]

oh no he didn’t do the little solo 😔

[@NellySandoval10]

what happened at 342

[@张鸿威-h4j]

Could you tell me how you get that out of the song? I can get a few chords out,but some places I tried hard but failed .

[@PanchomanPlusUltra]

keep trying!