Yesterday
About the 'Yesterday' Song
Folk legend has it that Paul McCartney dreamt the entire melody of "Yesterday", and then scurried down stairs on waking and recorded it on the piano in case he should forget it. "Yesterday" is the most covered song in musical history (there are at least 3000 different versions in existence!) and is one of the best known songs of all time. However, the song was not without controversey for the Beatles. Although attributed to "Lennon/McCartney", the music and lyrics were entirely McCartney's own work. When the work was originally first recorded and performed, Paul was the only band member singing and performing the song (accompanied by a string quartet). Such was the other band members disquiet that they vetoed it's release as a single in the UK. (The work was later released in 1976, 6 years after the break-up of the band).
How to play 'Yesterday' on the piano or guitar
Whilst the melody to "Yesterday" may have a simple and nursery-like quality to it, the chord structure is quite the opposite. In the space of two lines of melody, there are seven different chords. A challenge for both keyboard player and guitarist alike! If you are playing Yesterday on the piano, look for common notes between the chords and attempt the chords with as little movement (up or down the keyboard) as possible. For example, when you reach the forth chord of 'Yesterday', play Dm chord in the first inversion (F-A-D), and then the transition to Bb is very easy if this is also inverted (played F-Bb-D). Only one note moves! If we play the next chord (C7) in its second inversion (G-Bb-C-E), then we can use the Bb as anchor point and pivot between the chords. Try moving repeatedly between these two chords (Bb to C7) as a way of practising this transition.
Yesterday song with chords and lyrics in the key of F major
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