The Beatles - Things We Said Today LESSON by Mike Pachelli

Here's a lesson on the guitar parts played by John & George on "Things We Said Today."

[@drumschords2225]

No one in KZbin teaches Beatles songs better than you. Tight hugs from Brazil.

[@beyblader291]

Mike Pachelli reminds me of the best of the University Professors one finds at the best of Universities. The amount of useful information is incredible. He makes learning fun,interesting and compelling. All without the $46,000.00. Tuition. Thanks 🙏.

[@neilsaunders9309]

If you want to go to university, go to university, but if you really want to learn something go to someone who knows.

[@MPfrance]

Wow, thanks!

[@chezruss]

I know what you mean, but I don't know any University Professors capable of singing and playing every musical instrument to Beatles songs and sounding pretty much as good as the Beatles! Thanks Mike and if you ever do an album of Beatles songs I'd be up for buying one...

[@zecalimazeca]

@@neilsaunders9309 ​ @Mike Pachelli Someone who knows his stuff but who knows how to teach. How to transfer what one knows is an art that requires a totally different knowledge.

[@FerencHonkoop]

@@MPfrance could you also talk a bit more about tone settings? Thanks!

[@fretkillrlives]

Love the early Beatles. That Bb is a cool harmonic choice. IMHO this is the best Beatles music channel on KZbin.

[@terryperring104]

#When people say -'Early Beatles' it does sort of sound like we're talking about 20 or so years before their later sound doesn't it? When in reality it was more like just...2/3 years. Amazing isn't it.

[@donwhitman1118]

He absolutely is the best!

[@DrGargani]

@@terryperring104 yes, I find that fascinating! Beatles were thrust into the spotlight for less than 10 years, but within that time, they constantly re-invented themselves, so as to never go stale

[@ChristianP06]

@@DrGargani Yes absolutely! And not only that, but they managed to consistently be popular among their fans in spite of their constantly progressing sound. How they went from lyrics like ‘I got everything that you want, like a heart that’s oh so true’ to ‘Rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies’ within three or so years without losing their large fan following always blows my mind.

[@jakek201]

Yeah the Bb is brilliant, so cool

[@MakatiMazz]

The Bb is so unexpected. You can tell that Paul never wanted to be “normal”. Thanks for another interesting Beatles lesson. I watch Beatles lessons all the time, and I think you’re the best. In fact, you inspired my version of “Norwegian Wood” on my KZbin channel. I’d be honored if you’d check it out. Thanks.

It's 12:48AM...I'm watching another great video. Greetings from hot Southern California!

[@ThatBobGuy850]

God, I love this channel. Mike, you make the most realistic assumptions of how certain things turned out the way they did. Your love of this music is deeply appreciated by those of us who were around to hear it the first time as kids and now love hearing in-depth analyses of it as adults. Great job, as always! (Oh, and are we going to ignore Mike's "working like a dog" joke that he slid in there?)

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Okay, so after listening to Mike's breakdown of this song, I went and listened to the actual version about fifty times. Sure enough, Paul is double-tracked, including some harmonies. But I *also* hear George singing harmony in the chorus. You can clearly hear his slightly different phrasing than Paul's. Great song!

[@sapelesteve]

I am always amazed at how you breakdown and analyze these classic Beatle songs Mike! IMO, no one does it better and your playback of the song is always spot on! Thank you & I hope that you are doing well & staying safe! 👍👍👏👏😉😉

[@MPfrance]

Wow, thanks!

[@Мадамвсережках]

I'm 66. I love sing their songs. Their creativity is unique. But recently I came to the conclusion that in addition to all the beauty of their songs, there are little things, it is the little things that make you love their songs. In confirmation, I suggest comparing the tracks from the album and the movie of the song" I should have known better" There is a little noticeable microscopic difference, but it seems to me that the version from the film is more interesting to listen to than the recording on the album. I didn't notice this difference in harmony before, but after noticing it, I was once again convinced of the beauty of the little things

[@Lqqq]

Thanks for posting this early Beatles classic Mike , your a very talented musician. Your knowledge of Beatles recording techniques, equipment, and musical structure of their songs is impressive!. Your a star! 🌟 James 🎸

[@MPfrance]

Thanks for listening

[@billpratt7338]

Some of the best Beatle song breakdowns on KZbin. This guys the real deal. Nicely done Mike.

[@mattharrismykerable]

One of my favorite early Beatles songs! Thank you for the excellent lesson. You never let us down, Mike!

[@MPfrance]

My pleasure!

[@yogertv]

This song was randomly stuck in my head this morning and now I see this in my sub feed! Great lesson as always Mike 👍

[@savinglivesofourown]

Like Jose, I'm also watching from Southern California in the middle of the night. Another delightful video that I'll dissect and emulate for hours. Mike - I'm a journalist who writes a blog for The Wrap - www.thewrap.com - with McCartney's 6 part HULU series coming out tomorrow, I think I'd like to write about you and how you are keeping the flame lit for all of us who remember when. If you're into it, please contact me at [e-mail] - Google my name and TheWrap and you'll see my work.

[@martinwragg8246]

Perhaps show the bass for the full set 👍 Left bass, right guitar, impressive or trick photography 😉

[@buddhamus]

"Something New" was my first Beatles album and my 2nd favorite album ("Let It Be" is my #1). "Things We Said Today" is one of my all-time favorite Beatles tunes largely because of John's rhythm playing. I've always wanted to learn how to play this song properly. This was a great lesson. I loved the way you broke it all down. Thank you.

[@geraldroyston844]

Mike are you really playing the Hofner left handed? You're obviously a right handed player so how the heck do you do that and sing at the same time? Very impressed.

[@nmcg2587]

Thanks for sharing this tune Mike. I thought George's chords Am - Em was pretty different voicing for early Beatles. Sounds like it would belong well in some 80s tunes. Looking forward to more on your channel!

[@specialkalberta]

Any chance of adding bass lessons for these great songs?

[@Jdizzle6969]

You’ve got a new sub from me… Best Beatles guitar lessons I’ve seen! Keep up the amazing work, my friend… Thanks!

[@MPfrance]

Thanks for the sub!

[@Jdizzle6969]

@@MPfrance thanks for the awesome content!!!

[@keithgeorge2541]

You are so damned good! Wish I would’ve had a teacher like you in ‘64 (12 years old).

[@samcuratolo3885]

i agree..(14 at the time))..he probably wasnt even born yet but has disected these songs to a level that i never knew existed...good job dude...keep it up

[@purplecowideal]

I wish I was still 12 years old and able to start over on guitar. haha Then I'd be Mike. (maybe)

[@pauloalfonsocarrilloregino1134]

i love that you nailed the harmony on the last verse. Not to many people notice that. Perfect. Saludos.

[@ClassicKrusty]

Very insightful. Can’t wait to hear ur opinion on the mix for A Hard Day’s Night the song bc IMO the mix is terrible so much so u can’t hear George’s guitar hooks during the “When I get home to u” and “Why on earth should I moan.”

[@robertgiles9124]

On the first set of shifting chords between the Amin and Emin...I like to play the Emin with open D string instead of fingering the E note...so only the B on the 5th string is fingered. It creates a great sound and does not fight the general flavor of the comp. Just a subtle change. Try it!

[@tpaine1968]

Mike is the perfect Masterclass for understanding the genius of the songs of the Beatles…Thank you Mike…wonderful

[@Bob.Silverstein]

I love how you mirrored the video for the bass part to get the left handed look :) at least I'm GUESSING you didn't play left handed bass!!

[@martinziese74]

Wow what a fantastic Sound-a-Like Mike. I discovered your KZbin presentations while searching for the chords and strum patterns for Norwegian Wood. That was a very informative video. The very first album my parents gave me for Xmas 1965 was Rubber Soul. Watching your comp at the end of this video brought back some wonderful memories. Been a fan of Beatles from the beginning way back when. I also remember that Ed Sullivan broadcast.. watched it on a big ol' Philco B&W tele. And this video was spot-on.

[@chrisakkieguitar1311]

Another great lesson 👏

[@MPfrance]

Glad you liked it!

[@cameronmarshall4772]

Great stuff Mike. That Country Classic of yours is beautiful. There were a couple of times there vocally that you sounded a little like Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne, one of my favourite bands. I always feel this song was an influence on Bus Stop by The Hollies. Keep up the good work Mike

[@billzziv6859]

Did you really learn the bass part left handed? Very good video, thank you.

[@Hammerman48]

Great job Mike. I used to gig this song in a duo I played in back in the 90s. It was a great song to do live….I never saw other people doing it which was cool.

[@philleblanc7794]

Mike, it's cool to follow your lessons, Song history is also important for the vidéos, it's always a pleasure to discover a new one again (Phil from Paris, France)

[@consumopersonal2900]

I certainly did enjoy that! Cheers Mike

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Excellent content, as usual! Cheers, Mike ✌️

[@joncar13jonny15]

Thanks again Mike I appreciate all of your videos. I’m 67 born 7/7 like Ringo and loved The Beatles since I saw them on the Sullivan show. You help keep them alive with your brilliant rendition of their music. Thanks again. Coming to you from New Orleans

[@plweis7203]

Superb analysis of another great Beatles track. Thanks as always Mike

[@kfiralfiavideo]

Mike, please forgive my arrogance, but are you absolutely certain John/George's guitars aren't switching equally between Am and Em in the verses? I've been playing this song since I was 15 that way, since Paul's bass is undeniably switching between A and E without lingering on A as you have the guitars do. If you are right about John/George, why is Paul's bass diverting from the guitar chords, or is playing an E on bass while the guitars hit Am something that is not so uncommon?

[@MPfrance]

The Am/E kinda thingy is what Paul plays in most of the early material. With minor rhythmic variations. But baas-ically Root - 5th

[@trevorzaleski7439]

awesome as usual Mike, have you ever thought of publishing The Definitive Beatles Chord Book as your the only one that does them correct. i have 3 Beatles chord books and none of them are correct

[@RichXZ]

I wonder what John would have thought about this analysis of his playing 🤔

[@MPfrance]

RichXZ - I bet he would've said, "Ah-ha. THAT's how I did it then..."

[@dennistedder3384]

Another one! Just an incredible musician and this is my favourite Beatles song. Thanks.

[@JasonUmbrellabird]

Best Beatles lesson on youtube, thanks so much.

[@patrickkelly5004]

Another winner, Mike! Your analysis always adds so much more to the instructional aspect of the videos.

[@lefauxchef5607]

Nice job Mike. George stuff was especially interesting

[@alkitzman9179]

Another wonderful job of a cool Beatles catchy tune. As others have stated you are the Absolute best on demonstrating Beatles songs. A liitle slice of heaven on earth to all us Guitarists and Beatle fans. Thanks Mike

[@iturbez]

Things we said today ... Another great song... Another great lesson. Thank you very much, Mike. Keep Up that good work.

[@MPfrance]

thanks & I'll try!

[@danielsturm809]

FABULOUS production, Mike!!! Hats off to you!!!

[@lw216316]

Did George provide a lot of the chords used in Beatle songs? I know he studied people like Chet Atkins and knew more about guitar chords than the others, at least when they first started.

[@paulmac3042]

Mike- what Microphone are you using to capture those vocals? It looks like it could be a Rode NT 1-A, or some other variant of a Rode. The vocals sound crisp and clean which is one of the hallmarks of a RODE large Diaphragm mic. I would like to get one, but I am concerned that the absence of a pad switch to roll-off the low frequencies may induce some unwanted rumble. yes- a good EQ or mic preamp could be used to do the same processing of the signal, but I am trying to keep my costs low. Right now, all I have are Shure SM58's. I have heard that the AKG and Sennheiser Mics are also very good, but cannot come close to the low floor noise of the NT1.

[@MPfrance]

Paul Mac - I'm using a Neumann U87 on this track. She goes into a LaChapell Audio 992 preamp then to a Daking 91579 compressor. From there into my board (with Perkins EQ's) to ProTools. Sorry, but nothin' "low cost" in my signal chain.

[@paulmac3042]

@@MPfrance That is for sure. Right after I sent you my question I looked up information on the Neuman U87 and there it was. I guess I should have bought the one that a guy in Hollywood offered to sell me out of his studio that had gone bust back in 1996. He only wanted 500 bucks for it. They are a bit more than that now. Thanks Mike.

[@paulbiggs2376]

Another great lesson, I love this song and I find all the history of the song really interesting, great work Mike 👍

[@dreiklang12203]

As always well done! Thank you for the interesting backstories!!!

[@MPfrance]

Glad you like them!

[@jimpepper1]

love the history, love the lessons. And you are an amazing musician to put this all together.. cant wait for the next one!

[@MPfrance]

Thanks for listening

[@RamonK.]

if i'm not mistaken the Aadd9 is actually an Asus2. Whatsoever great Video:)

[@MPfrance]

Ramon - Yes - the Aadd9 and an Asus2 are identical.

[@lucaspage3538]

Wonderfull lesson Mike, keep 'em coming!

[@faustbos]

oooo you hit on something Ive been saying for years, to contrast/compare the differences in how John and Paul vrs George approach time on vocals. George seems to have a much more intricate sense of vocal timing, weaving his vocals in and out of the beats, starting lines on an offbeat on the 3 or 4 rather than hammering on the 1. Neither is right or wrong but for me it distinguishes the artists styles. (now back to the video)

[@stringman509]

Just love these Beatles lessons where abouts are you in the South of France thanks Colin UK 🇬🇧 👍

[@MPfrance]

@string - My house is on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez

[@pcsbeat]

Awesome, as always, Mike! Even as I digest this lesson, I’m already looking forward to the next Beatle song you’ll tackle. Thank you again.

[@MPfrance]

Coming soon!

[@burntsider8457]

If you think of TWST as starting in C then journeying to A for the bridge you could parse it like this: Am (vi) Em (iii) C (I) C7 (I7) F (IV) Bb (IV of IV) Pretty common chords in pop music but hauntingly presented. Shifting to A on the bridge we get A (I) D (IV) B (V of V) E (V) ... B (V of V ---> shifting in context to the IV of IV to get back to key of C beginning with the new vi) Brilliant chord change strategy. I've long wondered if he discovered this accidentally or if he planned it.

[@artistaccount]

I think he was writing a different version of can't buy me love with this one. Compare the chords and let me know what you think

[@artistaccount]

They're both on hard days night

[@DrGargani]

Mike: as someone who does songs like this completely on my own, playing all the parts BUT, using only keyboards, I can really relate to your methodology of breaking down the songs into the beats and measures...I take so much time to plot that out, along with the lyric sheets, before I lay down a single track. Of course, I have the added onus of having to simulate these various instruments even though I am only pressing on keys, but essentially, the way it is deconstructed and then put back together , is the same thing...I try to explain to people how difficult that is, but if they don't play music, they can never understand. You have done a MASTERFUL job of relating this , step by step, as in all of your fabulous videos. Kudos to you my fellow musician!!!

[@vzshadow1]

Thanks Mike, another great video!

[@MPfrance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ludekkolenaty2209]

Dear Mike I wish I was your student ( among most diligent ones ). Your lessons are truly amazing, your encyclopedic knowledge is so admirable! Now I can really play Beatles songs

[@steveandrushko75]

Mike I gotta say you have to be one of the most talented guys on the planet loved it

[@GabrielGroupRealtor]

Great job Mike, as always. It's interesting on this one for some reason with the guitar parts broken down and separated it struck me that it sounded a little differently than what I recall on the record. Probably because by virtue of breaking components down, that normally you only hear as a blend, you hear it in a different way. Now, that's true with all your "labs", but for some reason, this one just struck me a little differently than what I would have thought. (I'm talking very minor nuances, here) But that's what makes this process so fascinating. Thank you and great job my friend!

[@russelltimmons9169]

Great watching you do the drums. Reminds me of how there was no wasted energy with Ringo. Spot on.

[@Kildarerios]

I can only hear George's guitar as a slightly volume effect. Is it only me?

[@dukeposligua4099]

GRACIAS MIKE. EXCELENTE !!! Saludos desde Guayaquil-Ecuador

[@andrewpappas9311]

Great tutorial as always, I always liked this song. I'd love to see a tutorial on Hey Bulldog or If I Fell at some point, but keep up the great work Mike

[@michaelwharman6730]

Great job! Love the backstory and the step by step details for playing. Very helpful! Thank you!

[@wolverine2364]

From earlier yrs in a rock band to now this guy is one of the best legit musicians ever. Mike Pachelli you rock!!

[@Merseyrock]

It's interesting that John planned to add a piano track to Things We Said Today... Both The Beatles' Things We Said Today and The Zombies' She Not There were recorded and released around the same time, i.e. June-July 1964. The fact that both were intended to have a piano track in it (The Beatles removed it, but The Zombies kept it in), plus the fact that both tracks seem to have a similar groove puts them in synch with one another, with the time that they were both written in and released...

[@craigeverhart4755]

The difference is, that without Rod Argent’s keyboard, the Zombies are a much less interesting band.

[@dodgedandle8311]

One of my favourite McCartney Early Beatles songs ⭐️🌞⭐️🌞

[@waynetykocki3964]

What an amazing breakdown, great insight. Many thanks.

[@wherethereisfaith]

I love Georges part the best!!! He was my kind of guitar player!!

[@okbruh]

I always thought John did harmony in the verse "We'll go on and on" and in the "Someday (...) Deep in love (...)"

[@JRLNeal]

I love this song Mike and thanks for all the details. Unfortunately I can’t sing that high, and never could so I have to go an octave lower and capo on 4 or 5. My range is more James Taylor and Johnnie Cash.

[@craigeverhart4755]

Yeah; Paul is too much a real tenor. Transposing it all down a 4th seems about right, but it destroys the chord-by-chord inversions.

[@cs3090]

You rock!

[@jaimepadilla1537]

Excelente tutorial, como siempre. Te agradezco el que transmitas tus conocimientos. Gracias.

[@jimfritz9503]

A nitpicky comment on a great song lesson . In 1964 Ringo and Maureen were dating. Not married til '65. Just saying . Thank you Mike

[@909One92]

Great lesson, especially the Add9. I never heard that until you pointed it out and it's a completely different way to hear and play the verse. However. could the C-C7-F-Bb be C-C9-F-Bb? Thanks again!

[@MPfrance]

Bruce - thanks, glad to help - and if you'd watch the entire lesson you'd see that John plays C7 whilst George plays C9.

[@Andytheashton]

Same. I had never noticed that before but now it’s glaringly obvious when I listen

[@909One92]

@@MPfrance ooof! I DID watch it and obviously missed it. Great videos Mike!

[@larrywatters688]

My favorite version is on the Live at the Hollywood Bowl album.. 64A/65B

[@andreasdukat8792]

kind. it has been lovingly portrayed, even Paul, left-handed, would be portrayed in mirror image. Funny

[@geneo3654]

Mike you make learning Beatles music so much easyer. I'm learn faster than I ever would by ear. Your playing sounds alot like their recordings. Keep doing what you do , you're the best at it !!!

[@reginacoelicostanogueira7629]

Thank you I love it .Lessons so clearly.I don"t understand at all american english accent but I love, sir

[@D.Reinhardt]

No entiendo el ingles pero te explicas mejor que en español,mi idioma,lo que si entiendo son los acordes,eso, que me gusta y no hay ningun tutorial en español.Good bye and thanks.

[@carlotomass119]

As usual brilliant Mike …. Thanx

[@yuenngokwah7850]

You're so great ! Can do all parts ! 👍

[@cnc1204]

Similar to this song, the recording of "All My Loving" features a double tracked McCartney vocal, while the live version (for instance the opening song of their Sullivan show appearance) has George handling the melody while Paul does the high harmony. Perhaps there are others? Fun fact: Jane Asher has had a long and stellar TV acting career, appearing in things like "Brideshead Revisited," "Rumpole of the Bailey," and the more recent fantasy-comedy, "Eve." Like RIngo, she looks 40 years younger than she is. Topic for discussion among Beatle fans: which do you prefer, Paul's songs to Jane Asher or to Linda Eastman? Great video again, Mike. Maybe the word you were looking for was "deliberate ?"

[@huncysound]

I have to go with the Linda inspired, “Maybe I’m Amazed”. What a love song that still kicks butt.

[@Jack1843]

great video Beats at hollywoo bowl this song you can see a young Sig Weaver in the audience

[@JimmyJames-p1v]

I remember Mike didn't u have a show back in the days on w ToG ch 44 in tampa florida

[@makifrank1809]

Brilliant again!

[@COBBETT1215]

Great! Thanks for covering this particular song. It's been one of my absolute favourite Beatles songs since I first heard it back in '64. For me it has a wonderfully wistful and reflective mood.

[@MPfrance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beneditooliveira6026]

muito bom !

[@boomer.productions]

Love your videos. You a huge inspiration!

[@uwekasten716]

very nice job, mike. even the mirror view making you play bass like paul..

[@MPfrance]

Uwe - thanks and yeah - it's a horizontal flip in FInal Cut. Seems sacrilegious to see a right handed hofner playing beatles tunes.

[@uwekasten716]

@@MPfrance that´s a great sense of humor and respect! i love that.. keep going with your wonderful work. it´s truly inspiring, and a lot of fun.

[@ruchem71]

One of my favorites from the Fab Four.

[@billysea7769]

I like this .

[@AaronEddieHYo]

They like to call that Asus2

[@MPfrance]

Aaron - yeah, I know that. But the way I like to envision chords is more piano-like. So - the open 5th string is the root, the E on the 4th string is the 5th of the chord, the A on the 3rd string is an octave A and the B is the 9th of the chord. Since the chord has no major or minor 3rd - my way makes more sense to me. But hey, what do I know...

[@doodah111]

Wonderful stuff again Mike, your lessons are so interesting and I can't even play the guitar!

[@MPfrance]

Glad you like them!

[@eoinkavanagh8962]

Great performance again Mike and a brilliant fun tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@MPfrance]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stephenhyder4659]

The Beatles were chordmasters. Thank. You

[@jamesr5443]

I love your attention to both hisorical and musical detail, your posts are really riveting Mike, thank you!

[@jdog881688]

As always….Excellent tutorial Mike. Thank you!

[@MPfrance]

Very welcome