🎸 A Pirate Looks at 40 • Acoustic Guitar Lesson (Jimmy Buffett)

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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!

Video lesson timestamps:

- 0:00 Preview & Lesson Summary
- 0:56 Chord Shapes & Progression
- 3:44 Strumming Patterns
- 6:32 Fingerpicking Basics
- 9:04 Misc Tips & Advice

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[jimshaffer]

David, I really enjoy your videos. I'm in my 70s and just learning to play (bucket list thing) so you are far beyond my skill set. You've got a great personality for being a teacher. Just wish I was young enough to actually learn from you rather than just appreciate what you are doing. Take Care...Peace...RustyJim

[RobertAshbee]

I love this channel! The visual tabs are great and everything is so easy and enjoyable! RIP the legend.... keep on honoring Jimmy with these great videos.

[hammerfore]

My favorite song when I turned 40, still my favorite at 65. Great lesson thanks.

[Therockerman]

I finger pick this song when I play it live. I use basically the same progression except I use G, C, Am, and D. Sounds pretty much the same and it's easier for me to play. Thanks for posting the video, great information!

[steveavant]

David, great job on the lesson and the vocals. I’ve always been a Buffett fan and have fun trying to play his biggest hits. I’ve been more into it since his death, and it’s the first time I’ve ever listened to this great song. Thanks for the lesson!

[jimm]

Especially beautiful at this sad moment in time. Thank you for a great lesson, I will learn it and hopefully soon sound even 10% of how nicely you fingerpick this one.

[srscott]

Great video, thank you. I saw another comment here about how to play the Bm7. The easiest way, which sounds great is to simply play the Am7 with the first and second fingers and then slide up two frets with the same two fingers and leave the A string open for a base and let the other open strings ring out. Very simple, easy to play and sounds great.

[carlvickers]

Wonderful . Love the variety you offer. You are a good teacher.

[billschannel]

David, another great job on this classic. I love the way you give us options on how to play the songs. Thank thank you!

[Meermoney]

Exactly what I’m looking for thank you my man

[jeffreyk]

Thank you so much for putting this up. I’ve been looking for a good lesson on this great song.

[ThomasDaroja-gdex]

Excellent lesson, really like your teaching style.

[FarmProjects]

Well done. I like how you give options for different styles and skills. 👍

[towlie]

Very detailed and super helpful, especially the different finger picking styles you demonstrate. I'm not very proficient with finger style and was playing around with this song trying to match the album. When I saw your example tho the lights went on thank you.

[erickennedy]

I found the finger placement on the Bm voicing easier if you use your middle finger on the second fret A. Then use the ring finger on second fret G. Leave the pinky as you had it. The index finger is then free to move to the Am7 chord easier.

[crazyirishgirl]

Wow i love your voice, i am singing while!!

[drespo-oehr]

Very Nice! Thanks for the lesson and Bubbles Up!

[ibew]

Awesome job as usual, such a wonderful song to learn .
Thank you

[Nozzall]

I've played this song for years and use a Bm7 in place of the Bm. That way when you hit the Am7 you can use your second and third fingers for the chord then slide up 2 frets for the Bm7 and just drop your first finger down then lift it and back for the Am7 again.

[edmallon]

if you play the Am7 with your ring finger and your pinky, then slide it up 2 frets and bar chord a Bm7 with the same fingering it works