Premium
VIP
Beta Tester
A Pirate Looks at Forty
by Jimmy Buffett • Lesson #432 • May 6, 2022
Description
Hey there, friends! Excited to share this lesson for A Pirate Looks at Forty, the 1974 Jimmy Buffett song that quite a few of you have written in asking for. The lessons on my channel may not suggest as much, but Buffett is one of my absolute favorite musical artists – so it feels great to finally do a proper lesson for one of his songs.
Musically, this song is fairly easy to wrap your head around… it’s a single 12-measure progression that repeats for the entire song. Chord-wise, it can get tricky though with the quick change to the B-minor. But, good news! A new trick I learned the past few weeks: there’s an open (non-barred) version of B-minor which works amazingly well for this song, which I’ll share in this lesson. So, let’s get into it!
Free Video Lesson
Extended Video Lesson
Requires membership to Song Notes Premium. This additional video includes a full play-along cover, where you can hear how I play the entire song (using fingerstyle for the first half, and strumming for the second half). I also show you the vocal melody tabs, verse fingerstyle tabs, and explain how to use the backing track.
Licensed Song Sheet 4 pages
Follow along with my print-friendly guide for this song! It’s available for purchase at Musicnotes.com, the web’s leading provider of licensed sheet music.
On the fence? Here's a guide I made showing the purchase & print process, including answers to common questions about my song sheets.
Buy at Musicnotes.comBacking Track
I also made a 5-minute backing track to use while practicing this song. This track counts in one measure, and then cycles through the main progression for the entire track. In my members-only video lesson I give a walk-through on how to use it while practicing. To download the backing track for offline use, click here.
Related Lessons
Simpler Options for B-minor
If you have trouble playing B-minor in the typical barre-chord manner — or even if you can play it like that but don’t want to – check out this lesson where I show some easier alternatives. In fact, the second voicing I show in this lesson (x2023x) is what I prefer to use when playing A Pirate Looks at 40. You still get the bass note on the 5th string, as well as the 3rd fret note on the 2nd string – but don’t need to worry about barring anything. Makes it nice and easy! View full lesson notes »
Fingerpicking Overview: Travis Picking vs. Traditional Fingerstyle
If you’re new to fingerpicking guitar and want an overview of different ways your right-hand fingers play the six guitar strings, this lesson is for you. I made it to explain the difference between “Travis Picking” (where your right thumb & index do most of the work) and one-finger-per-string fingerstyle, which how I tend to fingerpick this song. My video and PDF include some helpful diagrams and example riffs to show you both techniques in action. View full lesson notes »
Browse Related Lessons
Click any tag below to view other lessons I've made in that category:
Enjoy My Lessons? Show Your Support!
Most of the lessons on my website are 100% free. If you have the means, please show your support with a tip jar contribution. I put many hours into every lesson — but it only takes you a minute to make a donation. You have my thanks!
Looking for More Song Lessons?
Featured Courses
Blues Starter Kit
A guide to must-know elements of beginner blues guitar! I'll walk you through the essential topics, showing you fun things to play along the way.
6 lessons • 1 hr 18 mins
ViewReading Music for Guitarists
Learn to read tabs, chord charts, fretboard diagrams, strumming patterns, and more! This course explains how to understand all of these must-know notation styles.
6 lessons • 41 mins
ViewLearning Lead Guitar
A collection of videos teaching you licks, riffs, solos, and other lead guitar techniques! Includes info on scales, CAGED shapes, and other helpful lead guitar concepts.
21 lessons • 5 hr 46 mins
ViewBeginner Chord Guide
A guide to the must-know chords you'll need when getting started with guitar! The quickest way to learn major chords, minor chords, the chords in each key, and more.
22 lessons • 2 hrs 15 mins
ViewPractical Music Theory
A general overview of must-know theory concepts. The goal here is practical, easy-to-understand explanations — all of which provide clarity to your everyday guitar playing.
12 lessons • 1 hr 50 mins
ViewUsing a Capo
Capos are incredibly helpful if you want to play along with your favorite artist, change a song's key, adjust things to your vocal range, and so on. In this series of videos I explain all this & more!
8 lessons • 1 hr 18 mins
ViewBrowse By Topic
Fun & Helpful Tools I've Made
Subscribe to my YouTube channel
Be sure to never miss a lesson by subscribing on YouTube. I put out 2-3 new videos every week. These include full song lessons, as well as covers, practice tips, behind-the-scenes updates. Thanks!
Recent Lessons
-
September 13, 2024
"Rebel Rouser" - 1950s Lead Guitar Lesson
-
September 5, 2024
Lead Guitar Lesson Roundup!
-
Aug 30, 2024
"Linger" by The Cranberries
-
Aug 21, 2024
Capos, Explained: 6 New Lessons & PDF Guides
-
August 8, 2024
"Spin You Around" by Morgan Wallen
-
July 31, 2024
"Tonight You Belong To Me" as covered by Eddie Vedder / Steve Martin
-
July 24, 2024
Must-Know Strumming Patterns in 6/8 Time
-
July 13, 2024
"Wondering Why" by Red Clay Strays