Song Lesson: Black Orpheus

Learn How to Play "Black Orpheus" on Guitar with Tab, Video Lessons, and More!

Marty FriedmanTommy EmmanuelSteve VaiEric GalesEric Johnson

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Song Lesson: Black Orpheus

About this course

Taught by our top educators, TrueFire’s Song Lesson System is a hands-on contextual music-making experience designed to accelerate the learning process and simulate a full-band setting. Whatever level of player you happen to be, from beginner to advanced, there’s a rhythm or lead guitar part you can learn to play that sounds great in a full band context.

This Black Orpheus Song Lesson is presented by Frank Vignola, one of TrueFire’s top educators.

This Song Lesson Series Includes:
- 1 Rhythm Guitar Comping Part
- 1 Melody and Soloing Guitar Part
- 1 Easy Guitar Strum-Along Part

The Backing Track Includes:
- Bass
- Drums
- Guitar
- Click Track



About TrueFire’s Song Learning System

Taught by our top educators, TrueFire’s Song Lesson System is a hands-on contextual music-making experience designed to accelerate the song learning process and simulate a full-band setting.

Whatever level of player you happen to be, from beginner to advanced, there’s a rhythm or lead guitar part you can learn to play that sounds great in a full band context.

We designed the system with three distinct educational objectives in mind; 1) Teach accurate rhythm and lead guitar parts; 2) Prepare students for live performance settings; and 3) Emphasize key learnings from each song to advance students’ overall skills.

Meeting these three objectives called for a strict criteria when selecting the songs that we would teach. Whether they were classic or contemporary songs within a genre, they each had to offer key rhythmic, harmonic, and/or melodic techniques that students’ could apply anywhere.

We also had to take full advantage of our learning tools to craft a learning experience that not only met the criteria but also made the learning experience fun and gratifying.

Top Educators

All song lessons are taught by TrueFire’s top educators who not only perform the rhythm and lead guitar parts accurately, they are also experienced in the genre and can communicate the key learnings in a very accessible manner.

Backing Tracks with Vocals

Every song lesson features accurate, high-quality backing tracks including vocals so that you can learn and practice each of the guitar parts in a real-world musical context.

Lesson + Practice Session + Playalong

Every guitar part (some songs feature multiple rhythm and/or lead guitar parts) features a set of 3 videos including a guitar part lesson video, a practice session video, and a playalong video.

Easy Guitar Strum-Along

For players just starting out, every song lesson also includes an easy guitar set of lessons. After learning the easy guitar part, beginners can strum along with all of the backing tracks and vocals.

Advanced Learning Tools

All of the guitar parts are tabbed, notated and synced to the video. With TrueFire’s learning tools, you can also slow down or loop any section of the video to work with the lessons at your own pace.

Premium Only: Multi-Track

Mix, mute, or solo any of the video or audio tracks. Control the mix and immerse yourself!

What you'll learn

  • Execute hybrid picking technique for bossa nova rhythm
  • Play the complete arrangement of Black Orpheus
  • Apply minor and major 2-5-1 progressions to other jazz standards
  • Incorporate blues elements into jazz playing
  • Understand the overall flow, dynamics, and musicality of the complete arrangement
Release date: 12/16/2021 • 0h 59m runtime
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Sample lessons
Full Song Performance
Full Song Performance
Reference Video of All Guitar Parts

What's included

11 lessons • 7 charts • 4 Jam Tracks

Black Orpheus
Hi! I'm Frank Vignola and I'm here to teach you the song Black Orpheus by Brazilian composer, Luiz Bonfá. In this lesson we'll be looking at how to replicate the artists playing on this tune by tackling it in bite size pieces then bringing it all back together at the end. I'll also show you an easy guitar part so that you can strum along to the whole song if you're just getting started. Ready to learn Black Orpheus? Well grab your guitar and let’s get started!
Full Song Performance
We'll be starting things off with a full performance of Black Orpheus where you will be able to see and hear the multiple different guitar styles you will be learning in the tune. Keep a close eye on the text on the screen as it will indicate the guitar track currently being played.
Easy Guitar | Lesson
In this video we'll be breaking Black Orpheus down into simple guitar chords and patterns that you can play, even if you're a beginner. Everything I'm going to show you here will work well with the accurate guitar parts so that you can play along with the full band. The first will be the easiest version then we'll jump into a second rendition that will add a few more pieces and bring you one step closer to the authentic guitar part. Once you feel comfortable with this easier version, I encourage you to try to tackle some of the more sophisticated techniques in the accurate guitar parts as this is a great way to improve your skills.
Easy Guitar | Practice Session
In this video we will be practicing the easy guitar for Black Orpheus. Remember to take advantage of tab-sync to ensure you're hitting the proper notes and, if you find the tune is a bit too fast for you, utilize the speed feature to slow things down, get your timing right, and then work your way up to the proper tempo.
Easy Guitar | Playalong
In this video we will perform the tune Black Orpheus in its entirety. Join the band and show off your chops using the techniques you've learned along the way.
Melody & Improv | Lesson
Now it’s time to tackle the Black Orpheus melody and improv. This is the version of the guitar part you will want to learn if you are playing the tune solo or in a band with only one guitar player.
Melody & Improv | Practice Session
In this video we will be practicing the melody and improv part for Black Orpheus. Remember to take advantage of tab-sync to ensure you're hitting the proper notes and, if you find the tune is a bit too fast for you, utilize the speed feature to slow things down, get your timing right, and then work your way up to the proper tempo.

+ 4 more lessons

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Reviews

18 results

Tony

Verified buyer

02/21/26

Frank Vignola's Song Lesson: Black Orpheus

Frank has a style that works for me. He is down to earth, yet very expert and serious when needed. But, he still comes about it all relaxed. He feels more like a coach than a teacher - encouraging you on. The focus on the melody portion of the song is key. He hammers that home - learn the melody. I found that to be so foundational. Glad he gives you the basics as well as the advanced.

Calhoun49

Verified buyer

11/29/25

An easy-to-follow lesson on a great standard

Great lesson! As usual. Love Mr Vignola's teaching.

Kevin7678

Verified buyer

06/26/25

great teacher for this great song, I recommend a true classic

piscus

Verified buyer

01/28/25

good and useful work

wsr35

Verified buyer

12/18/24

Great Song Lesson!

I really am enjoying the Song Lesson: Black Orpheus course. This is one of my favorite jazz tunes, so this course was a godsend. Frank's instruction is always on point, and he provides insights I never gained through private lessons!

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