The Spinners - I'll Be Around Guitar Lesson (with TAB)

The Spinners - I'll Be Around Guitar Lesson (with TAB)
Here's a lesson on the R&B classic, I'll Be Around by The Spinners. A great classic song with some standard octave licks that really get that "Philly Sound". Enjoy this lesson where I show you how to play I'll be Around.

"I'll Be Around" is a song recorded by the American R&B vocal group The Spinners (known as "Detroit Spinners" in the UK). The song was co-written by Thom Bell and Phil Hurtt and produced by Bell.
The lyrics of the song have the narrator (Spinners main lead singer Bobby Smith), pledging his devotion and love to a lover who has just left him for another while at the same time holding out hope that she will return to him ("There's always a chance, a tiny spark will remain/And sparks turn into flames/And love can burn once again..."). So, in case she changes her mind, he'll be around.
Recorded at Philly's Sigma Sound Studios, the house band MFSB provided the backing. The production of the song gives it a smooth, mid-tempo feel, with the signature guitar riff (in octaves) played by Norman Harris at the forefront and punctuation from female background singers, the MFSB horns & strings and conga-playing from Larry Washington. Bobby Smith handles lead vocals on the song.

[johnnyrocco]

A story here, back in 2013 I was at our local nursing home sitting with by dying mother. We had been told she could pass at any minute so myself and my brother were taking turns staying with her. I had came in around 3pm and was going to stay the next 24 hrs. At about 4:30am the next morning she passed away. As I was walking thru the parking lot to my car, I was thinking I would never see my mother again. When I started the car, the fm radio came on and this song started, "whenever you call me, whenever you need me, i'll be around." That was so moving to me. Thanks for posting all the lessons you do, they are always a big help.

[brendendatewoon]

Thank you for helping me learn one of my grandmas favorite songs, she's been gone 10 years and I've felt every minute, playing this makes me feel like she's still here

[Spin-fpmb]

Great lesson for a classic Motown song, and an even better memory you were kind enough to share with us regarding your mother!
TW in WI

[maximum]

Very good tutorial Mark. I first discovered your video on ' I'll Take You There' last year and it was a turning point in my playing, thank you for that. You are one of a few musicians who know how to show other musicians how to get a song down. Your approach to teaching is logical and fun at the same time. Bravo.

[mrlafayette]

good choice, simple but memorable.One Of A Kind Love Affair has a nice intro too.

[rydersnight]

1:25 "YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT... BUT KEEP IT CLEAN"

[jameswoodley]

Great lesson and love the background information about the song

[profxpedals]

Thanks for this video. If you play that G# minor without the root note you can drop your pinky on the F# on the 5th string ninth fret and sound the D/ F# chord without changing positions which makes it a lot easier to play.

[seaandskyandseandsky]

Very nice lesson...now I can play my favorite song to sing at my local Karaoke my acoustic guitar(!)

[mikemendillo]

That was some smooth guitar back then ! I always liked style, you can do alot with those few chords with different picking & strumming techniques, , , I really dug this lesson ! Thanx Mark, Always Appreciate your time, ,,, :)

[lafreeway]

I love your lessons. No one else uses ad infinitum in the introduction!

[bogglemaze]

Skylark “Wildflower” has some great riffs. Love to see how it’s done and the sound.

[Teleman]

Norman Harris of Gamble and Huff's MFSB did the guitar work on this track. I think Bobby Eli also was involved on another guitar playing backbeats. According to Bobby Eli on the soulful detroit forums, Norman was a big Wes Montgomery fan.

[jeanallard]

Hello Mark, I have just discovered you channel and wow... love your choice of songs and your teaching style.

[mbymatthew]

Great head of hair, Mark! hahah let it grow!

[bransonbush]

I'm having trouble with the Emaj7, I can get the 446 but my finger just can't seem to reach the 7. It may be because my hands are smaller or that I only started guitar in April.

[maxh_music]

Such a cool progression. Has anyone tried looping and doing lead stuff over it?

[kevinspake]

fyi: the tab download doesn't seem to be working.

[arsbadmojo]

Why do you call it the "top string" if it's the one on the bottom?

[shesyourbrother]

Hi mark great lesson thank you it's coming along! Is the drum loop available anywhere? I love it