This is the full fingerstyle guitar lesson for Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) by The Beatles.
Norwegian Wood was written by John Lennon (although credited to Lennon/McCartney) and the song appears on the band's hugely successful 1965 album Rubber Soul.
Like pretty much all Beatles songs, Norwegian Wood makes for a great fingerstyle arrangement and this one is really fun to play. As you learn it, bear in mind that you can add or take away anything that I've put in it and that you don't have to play it just like I have. For example, you don't have to add the percussive elements or some of the licks I've used. Feel free to change it up it you want to.
Anyway, let's start learning how to play Norwegian Wood!
Song Details:
- Capo - 2rd fret
- Key - D major (D without a capo, E with)
- Tuning - dropped D - D A D G B E
- Difficulty - advanced
Norwegian Wood (Performance)
As you learn to play this fingerstyle arrangement of Norwegian Wood, be sure to frequently return to the performance as a good reference point and guide. One thing to note is that the second half of the intro is what I also play for the bridge of the song.
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Norwegian Wood Guitar Lesson
In this first lesson I teach you how to play the intro to Norwegian Wood and then the verse. Both sections are very similar but the intro is a slightly more stripped down, sparser version. The second half of the intro is what I also play for the bridge of the song.
If you want the lyrics of Norwegian Wood and just the chords in their most basic form, then you can find them here.
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How to Play the Bridge of Norwegian Wood
The only other section of the song that you need to learn is the bridge. This part is pretty tricky to get under your fingers but really is a joy to play once mastered.
Structure of Norwegian Wood
Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Bridge, Chorus, Verse, Outro
Want to learn more songs by The Beatles?
Want to learn more fingerstyle arrangements of famous songs?: Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley), Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver), Don't Look Back In Anger (Oasis), Ticket to Ride (The Beatles), Have You Ever Seen The Rain (Creedence Clearwater Revival).
Alternatively you can browse the whole song catalogue: Song Lesson Library
Let me know what you thought of the lesson in the comments section below. Say what you found hard/easy, what level you're at and what your fingerpicking goals are.
I like your version, especially the percussive elements. I’ve not yet learned it fully but will do so. However, I did notice in your 1st presentation of the song you play the 7th measure differently than it is in the tabs and in your lessons. Is there a reason for this? I like the performed version more and I hope to figure out what you did differently. Thanks for such a beautiful version of such a beautiful song!
Gary
Hey Gary, I guess as I was playing it I wasn’t thinking about it too much. It’s basically the same chord but in the performance I’ve just moved the melody up an octave. I’m playing a C/A chord, then I play the notes G (3rd high e string) then open B string, and that’s it. Hope this helps.