Queen - '39 guitar lesson: intermediate guitar

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Here is the intro written out in guitar tab: www.patreon.com/posts/23069062 KZbin have removed annotations from videos, so this information is now missing. On the studio recorded version of the song, the B7 chord in the pre-choruses is actually a D#dim7 (low to high: x-x-2-1-2-1). Brian May plays a B7 when he performs this song live, which is what I based the chords I used on. Strum pattern for the main parts of the song is along the lines of: D-DUDUDU and D-D--UD--D-D--UD.

[@TheDarksock]

"Oi, Freddy - I've written a nice acoustic number called '39" "That's nice, Brian...what are the chords and key?" "ALL OF THEM"

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Ha!

[@NYPDWeatherman]

I could actually imagine Brian actually saying that.

[@timgo5829]

That literally true

[@thenightprowler3426]

Bob Harry Jaffar Simbolon thats literally what the comment said

[@dr.tomato8892]

It’s actually in G

[@hashchief664]

Brian May really is a guitar hero. So technical.

[@scottwaszak698]

How Many chords could Brian throw into this tune? And they all somehow work and sound great!

[@yogimarkmac]

Old saying... if you're playing more than 3 chords, then you're showing off. Yet somehow Brian is so great he can do it modestly!

[@ЕвгенийРябинин-и7ц]

Instead one thousand chords - two thousand chords

[@matthew65536]

@@yogimarkmac all of the chords

[@mikaylachapman9036]

@@matthew65536 he must be Guitar George, because he knows all the chords... Sorry it's a reference to a completely unrelated song

[@sparkyguitar0058]

@@mikaylachapman9036 And if you don't get that go back and start this class over AGAIN !

[@JayFal68]

I met Brian once in Liverpool in the UK at LIPA, he was getting an award. He's lovely :)

[@liam1558]

He seems like a nice guy. Awesome that you got to meet him.

[@anagonzalez-mm4sz]

You almost have 39 likes :)

[@May_the_force_be_with_you872]

Brian May can play this song and sing. He has really special gifts.

[@cryzeljanebobiles8278]

I thought it was easy but.. 😭

[@JamesMcCarthy17]

Cryzel Jane Bobiles it is up until them stupid bar chords aghhhh why do they exist 😡

[@catherinewilson3880]

@@JamesMcCarthy17 to make beginners suffer, lol.

[@wholewheatowos6514]

Cryzel Jane Bobiles brian may wrote it... oF COURSE ITS NOT GONNA BE EASY

[@silviapapini3091]

Me too..

[@abhishekshah1405]

it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll

[@bagasaperdana]

Freddie: Hey Brian how many chords do you use on this song? Brian: Yes

[@0musicrazy0]

I've been playing this for years (I'm an amateur guitar player) and your lesson fixed soooo many mistakes I had made till now, I'm so happy with how it sounds, you got it right. Thank you!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Great to hear that! Thanks :)

[@markhersch1241]

This is what an online guitar lesson should be. There are other tutorials on '39 that are like 30 minutes. Why? Just show me the chords, the diagrams and the strumming, and I'm good. Great with original recording in the background too. You play great, and I mastered it in a day. Thanks, man. (But can you sing too? :D)

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

+Mark Hersch My singing is unfortunately very weak :(

[@elboucamol519]

1 day....

[@teicauhtlirobles7858]

The most complete and accurate version, really good

[@hazathehazard]

You are gonna get at least 5k views from me alone, while I try and learn this XD

[@nurtlaughing8704]

XD

[@wildnapkin2244]

@@nurtlaughing8704 Lol it's me!

[@grach_30]

Good luck

[@m.braungart7111]

me: what the hell is wrong with the chord diagrams me: realises the guitar is left handed me: see channel name me: o me: realises there are right hand diagrams me: I am an intellectual myself

[@ahard-daysnight6659]

If you want it to sound like the live version, on “pity ME” strike a g chord. and on the last bar do this: 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 G D G basically, in the beat between 4 and 3 strum a d chord and then a g chord on “four”

[@andrewoller7468]

Searched for a tutorial of this Song and yours was the best one

[@dabooda49]

fucking most beautiful song ever written, and you just nailed it! Well done!

[@marktaylor3809]

do you know what this song is about?

[@marktaylor3809]

theres no need to put the fucking bit at start of that sentence is there

[@JayFal68]

mark taylor It's about space travel. They travel in space and when they come back to earth they've aged a year and on earth everyone's dead as it's 100 years later. You age faster on earth than in space. It's called time dilation.

[@t_sh162]

@@marktaylor3809 WHy ? It's just a word

[@MattyK1873]

@@marktaylor3809 and yet... You still typed it yourself..

[@ngm59]

I’ve been a Queen fan for years. One of my favorite songs, and you nailed it! Great job bud! 👍👍

[@bryleywaring_37]

I thought it was gonna be like the 4 main chords but then Brian comes and is like no we are putting ALL the chords into this song and it's gonna sound amazing Like HOLY CRAP MY HANDS CANT DO THAT😂😂😂😂

[@nerdymusicianfangirl7024]

It took a lot of practice (every day until my fingers went numb from the vibrations from the strings after a while and I physically couldn't properly form the chords, lol) but I can play it nearly perfectly now. If my hands can do all this, so can yours. Believe in yourself.😉 Update (2024): I can play it perfectly now.

[@bavarianaviator6548]

I rarely comment but this is awesome, splendid and just perfect. Thank you so much for that. Cheers from Germany

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Thank you :)

[@จอยจอย-ร8บ]

Bavarian Aviator bz

[@BobHarley]

That was one of the first songs I learned how to play on guitar, that was about 4 years ago, thank you

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Great! I hope it's been a fun journey.

[@thecs96]

In the year of '39 assembled here the volunteers In the days when lands were few Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn The sweetest sight ever seen And the night followed day And the story tellers say That the score brave souls inside For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas Ne'er looked back, never feared, never cried Don't you hear my call though you're many years away Don't you hear me calling you Write your letters in the sand For the day I take your hand In the land that our grandchildren knew In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue The volunteers came home that day And they bring good news of a world so newly born Though their hearts so heavily weigh For the earth is old and grey, little darling, we'll away But my love this cannot be For so many years have gone though I'm older but a year Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me Don't you hear my call though you're many years away Don't you hear me calling you Write your letters in the sand for the day I take your hand In the land that our grandchildren knew Don't you hear my call though you're many years away Don't you hear me calling you All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand For my life Still ahead Pity me

[@WeyounVI]

This (and your intro tutorial) are so good that the fact that you are left handed doesn't even phase me. it's just as easy to learn from you as a right handed guitarist

[@emilygoldblatt5288]

i actually prefer learning from a left handed bc it is like looking into a mirror

[@andrealamelia7847]

Can listen to this song over and over,it's so much an uplifting tune.

[@martinvanderlinden4031]

Not only beautifully played, but also understandable! Hats off and many thanks for posting!!

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

Hello there! Wanted to say a couple things.....you have very nice hands. Also, I used to play guitar fairly well but haven't even touched one in probably 40 years. While watching your playing, those chords all started jumping into my brain and I found my old fingers "playing" along with you! Perhaps my guitar-playing days aren't forever gone after all. Thank you so much for that, my friend. 😉

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Thank you. It's never too late to play any music you want. I'm glad somebody appreciates my hands!

[@sherimcdaniel3491]

LeftHandedGuitarist No, you’re right. And I’m started saving for a guitar. Once I get it, I’ll be studying this vid because I love this piece of music and have loved it since I bought A Night at the Opera album when it released in the 70’s! My fingers are old now, but I think I might be able to master it, given enough time. 😄

[@lelo6966]

...some chords i had not noticed,i learned with you.I'm right-handed. Thank you so very much!

[@quinn9752]

this is absolutely amazing! from the left and right hand chord diagrams to the timing of the chords at the bottom. it's all perfect! i saw some chords online that were veey difficult to get bc it required a lot of moving up and down the frets but this is sooooo much easier. thank you eternally!!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Glad you found it useful! I hope more of my stuff helps you out too.

[@henrypark4356]

Finally ... an excellent guitar tutorial that I can actually learn from! I love it!

[@dio1474]

As a left handed guitar, I thank you for this tutorial, it's so hard learning with mirrored tabs 🤣😅

[@ceilstrakna6780]

When I first viewed this lesson last night, I didn't even notice that you're a lefty like me! I guess I've gotten so used to reversing everything, so now it all looks the same. Thanks for the lesson, I've always loved this song, didn't realize it was so simple. Now if I could just figure out the actually melody of the chorus - Queen's harmony is so close that it's hard to tell who's singing lead and who's harmonizing. To make matters worse, I've watched two different videos of Dr. May solo and he sings the tune differently on each!

[@durulseren2134]

This is awesome. No it is incredible! You captured the soul of the song. Bravo !

[@mikesayers83]

this tutorial really helped me finish my tab, cheers man, i couldn't figure out the bridge at all

[@emilioulloapazmino268]

Just one word for this.... PERFECT !!!!!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Emilio ulloa pazmiño Thank you! I tried very hard with this one.

[@garyreidmusic]

...F'ing Love this song! Thanks, I'm a lefty guitarist, too, and am gonna learn this!

[@ngumbo]

Nicely done! As a north paw, I had trouble falling your right hand-disorienting!. but the chord diagrams for righty made it work. Thanks.

[@bi5048]

I really enjoy this video. And I know from when the first time I hear this song back when I was 13 (I’m 55 now) it’s a very complicated song. Amazing is a very simplified word for this work of art. But to Sir Brian May I’m sure he can compose this song with his eyes shut.

[@Brian-fu9um]

Man that was just SOOOO good - thanks for sharing LHG !! :-)

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

+Brian Quinn You're welcome! I love playing this song.

[@TheChaoslord66]

God I adore this song, you play it amazingly.

[@ebenoit2262]

Hi just want to say thanks for this great lesson! Some of those quick chord changes had me totally confounded!!

[@ringmasterblaze]

Finally, no more guessing chords thanx you did awesomely!

[@peter_castle]

Amazing how you play, It gave me that "I wish I was him, I would feel cool and awesome" vibe one (enviuous type like me) always gets from great stuff :)

[@sdingeswho]

Learning something already! One of the things I couldn’t figure out is the B7 - knew it was a 7, just wasn’t sure “where” it was. Absolutely “makes” the song! Thank you so very much - interestingly, even though I’m not left-handed, this may be an advantage for us righties, because watching you is like “looking in a mirror” for us 🙂! (I have the same theory about watching Jimi Hendrix for “instruction” for right-handers)

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Glad to help! One thing to note: Brian May plays a B7 in live performances but I'm fairly sure the studio version uses D#dim7. See the pinned comment for more info!

[@sdingeswho]

@@LeftHandedGuitarist I just woke up LOL!, so I need to get some coffee on and look at this again, but I *do* think that there is a D7 (or D#dim7?) in there, maybe only in-passing towards the end! 7s always jump out at me, since they are the “danger” / “sturm und drang” 😎 chords. Thanks again for your kindly reply! 🙂

[@albertobox3362]

Very very well done, thank you!! Your playing is just perfect and now I appreciate this song and Brian May writing even more

[@Juli-ib3zp]

This is the best '39 tutorial. 👏👏

[@solarflowerrr945]

if anyone's wondering strum pattern is: D-D-DUDUD-D-DUDU

[@Masnime]

Lyrics if someone needs (me in the case lol): In the year of '39, assembled here the volunteers In the days when lands were few Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn The sweetest sight ever seen And the night followed day And the story tellers say That the score brave souls inside For many a lonely day sailed across the milky seas Ne'er looked back, never feared, never cried Don't you hear my call though you're many years away Don't you hear me calling you Write your letters in the sand For the day I take your hand In the land that our grandchildren knew In the year of '39 came a ship in from the blue The volunteers came home that day And they bring good news of a world so newly born Though their hearts so heavily weigh For the Earth is old and grey, little darling, we'll away But my love, this cannot be Oh, so many years have gone though I'm older but a year Your mother's eyes, from your eyes, cry to me Don't you hear my call though you're many years away? Don't you hear me calling you? Write your letters in the sand for the day I take your hand In the land that our grandchildren knew Don't you hear my call though you're many years away? Don't you hear me calling you? All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand For my life Still ahead Pity me

[@rociocuradelli6281]

Hey you should record it! This piece sounds perfect, you are sooo talented. I could hear it thousands of times😍

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Thank you, that's very kind of you!

[@koredpliply8753]

Why do amazing pieces have to always be so hard lol

[@AhDollar]

You're not going to get an amazing piece as much with most modern celebrities. Those primarily rely on a three or four chord structure that is used in most, if not, all pop audio clips these days. Good music is usually nice and complex and therefore turns out the best, such as this song. This isn't to say that the pop celebrities we now have can't make good music, but it's incredibly rare that they do.

[@AhDollar]

@@diegosalesfacundini4296 In those days, people actually knew how to pull it off. Nowadays, it's insanely overused and dull to the point where you wonder if it's possible to compose something original and actually friggin' good

[@maine5684]

im not gonna like cause its at 39 likes.

[@Joseph-et3jc]

Melina Mercury I love your name lmao

[@timmclendon1323]

What a wonderful video tutorial! A Night at the Opera was a pivotal album from my youth that segued me to Yes, ELP, and Rush. I also like the use of your "pinky" to barre chords. George Harrison used this to great effect, and I believe it's one of the things that made him such a unique guitarist.

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

+Tim McLendon Thanks! I can also play barres with my ring finger, but definitely prefer to use my little finger. I think I've just built up more strength in it.

[@juki311]

how you build strength in your little finger ?? I cant hold 3 strings in bare with him . Only upper string sounds.

[@batmayn123]

thank you for this lesson :-) Tough song to play, but really fun once you have it down!

[@awanayu3777]

i'm so grateful..lefty for life❤️

[@GoodbyeCharlemagne]

Been trying to figure out that middle section for a while, thank you for this.

[@JC-fy4up]

Brian May is just a genius

[@tianamather8128]

half of me is telling myself that this is too complicated for a beginner. the other half is telling me that I KNOW MOST OF THESE CHORDS, HOW HARD CAN IT BE???

[@morphuk1]

Fantastic cover, thank you!

[@AAA-et1cf]

Brian is such a genius

[@tibroc42]

Dude you nailed it! ROCK ON!

[@pierreb6637]

Yes !... very well done, thank you !

[@andrealamelia7847]

Superb lesson,like all,thanks for sharing!!!

[@juliarudek1068]

I love this song and I really admire the way you play it

[@reyjuarez807]

Dude, you nailed it! I love it! ❤️

[@andrealamelia7847]

And thanks again for this tutorial.

[@easycheesy80]

Turns Camera off then busts into sweet lady

[@easycheesy80]

Brilliant channel mate. It's helped me out loads. Thank you

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Thanks, really happy to hear that! It would help me out a lot if you'd share my stuff with anyone you think might like it, or even consider supporting me via Patreon.

[@helenroche6428]

I love you for making this, great guitar playing. Now I am motivated to learn it, too. Oh what a great song! Thank you so much!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Happy to help!

[@brt7721]

Great to find a fellow lefty! Wonderful cover and tutorial

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Glad you liked it!

[@sdingeswho]

Still here, LHG 🙂! Am halfway through the intro, about to get into the hammer-ons ❤️ - my left-hand fingertips are *destroyed* LOL! Thanks for admitting elsewhere that “ ‘39 “ “is a beast” - it certainly is, but what a *glorious* beast 😁❤️🎶! It is becoming my Moby Dick - “I’ll chase [it] to the ends of the Earth, and ‘round Perdition’s Flames, before I give [it] up!” 😎 Got to play what little of it I’ve got so far on a Taylor 362ce 12-string the other day ❤️ - “Miss Taylor” is my motivation. Have to be able to play “ ‘39 “ before I can allow myself to part with that much bread. Thanks again for the instruction and encouragement on this song that has haunted me for most of my life 🙂! - Steve

[@YoungYoung95]

Flawless lesson and playing man, good job!

[@elenatraina]

Fantastic! Very well done!!

[@ray3mondo]

This is great. Well done!

[@loumote]

Awesome ! Just starting to learn this song and found your video. What a clean sound you have on this ! One thing troubled me though : on pre-choruses, the chords sequence is written on the 1st beat of the 3rd bar but it is played on the previous beat. Took me a moment to realise why it sounded weird on my end ;)

[@peteq1972]

Love it. I'm learning it atm. Would love to hear the same cover but Queen with Freddie singing. Even tho Brian wrote it.

[@craigcampbell2905]

Just, No! This song is perfect the way it is.

[@malcyj56]

Mate, fantastically done. Thanks.

[@johnnybell5000]

This is perfect. I wish all guitar tutorials were like this, when its mostly chords, changes and rhythm that needs to be studied. In a guitar tutorial video I want to see the guitar being played to me, straight through the song. No cuts. I want the chords displayed so i can see whats coming and no friggin around. This video has all of that. Great job thanks! 🍻

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

You're welcome! Thanks for the kind words.

[@josefduster2400]

Very well done Sir.

[@matthewmalia792]

Very well done, dude!!!

[@auroramcct1982]

I’m teaching guitar to myself, my brain says to start with something easy but my soul says to complicate my life.........imma follow ma soul

[@Blueforyou66]

THIS IS PERFECT !!! Thanks - great Video! Even for Left-Handers like me!!

[@BobHarley]

Thank you very much. I'm can't play guitar very well, I'm beginner and it's a little hard for me, but I'll practise playing it everyday till I'll be able to play it at normal speed.

[@rockinred624]

Best tutorial! And best cover

[@albertgatte5419]

I mean it..just listened too you play again. You are good. I'm a wanna be. I can play, not like this but I appreciate real talent.

[@lfsr2842]

Absolutely nice job, dude!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

Thank you!

[@mexilla79]

you're great thank you! ...what a fantastic tutorial :)

[@alejandrofelipe7922]

Thanks.This really helped me a lot

[@graywade9225]

Wow, didn't realize it was going to be for lefties, so I'll have to find another, but watched it all the way thru because you gave a first-rate, outstanding performance! Awesome job!

[@LeftHandedGuitarist]

It's got all the info for righties, too!

[@AdamirNoSoyMoro]

you play so good man so clean, rly good job

[@JulienDestange]

Really nice work !

[@youtoobleed]

Congratulations man, you win a new supporter right now!

[@Xcorgi]

Excellent and flawless!

[@miguelcasado2690]

Very Good Tutorial!! It helped me a lot. Thanks!

[@savetheplanet9499]

I swear this is easier to learn from than some of the actual tutorials by old guys tryna be speedy

[@chrose1201]

Awesome job, thanks!

[@rcdolphin714]

Best cover!

[@ПавелПрищепов-э1е]

Well done

[@davidgpeterson]

I frickin LOVE this song.

[@EC-wx2sl]

good tutorial. nice playing.

[@rismarahayu1365]

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot! Keep playin! 😉

[@chrisarm2891]

This song is beautiful

[@jseipp]

Late to the party but this is fantastic. Thanks!

[@waynehosick6862]

THANK YOU!!!

[@chimpansi2]

excellent, thanks mate! Cheers from Sweden.