Song practice guide
How to Practice Paint It Black
The Rolling Stones' 'Paint It Black' was a breakthrough song for rock, the use of sitar, the minor-key Eastern feel, and the relentless rhythm pushed rock music in a new direction. Decades later it's still one of the most-recognizable rock songs in the canon.
Song Details
- Key
- Em
- Tempo
- 162 BPM
- Time
- 4/4
- Style
- boom-chuck
Structure
This song is still under copyright, so we publish its form rather than its chord chart. Add it to your library and you can enter or attach your own chart, and Repertoire will schedule it either way.
What to Focus On
Smooth Em-based chord progression with the famous Eastern-flavored melody. Driving rhythm in 4/4. Building intensity through the song.
Practice Tips
- 1
The melody is more interesting than the chord progression suggests. Listen carefully to the original.
- 2
If playing the sitar part on guitar, use a clean tone with reverb.
- 3
The drum pattern is iconic. If playing in a band, get the drums right first.
Why This Song
It's the song that introduced Eastern flavor to rock, a milestone in popular music.
Practice Paint It Black Daily
Repertoire uses spaced repetition to keep your songs sharp. Add this song to your collection and the system schedules your practice automatically.
No credit card required • Free tier: 3 collections · 15 songs each
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