Ennio Morricone - Chi Mai (Le Professionnel) - Guitar Tab

Ennio Morricone - Unforgettable Soundtracks, Vol. 2

2014 3:35

Listen on Spotify

About Chi Mai (Le Professionnel)

Few melodies suit fingerstyle or single-note lead playing quite as naturally as "Chi Mai," one of the most recognisable pieces in Ennio Morricone's catalogue of film music. Written in A minor at a steady 120 BPM, the tempo is comfortable enough that phrasing and tone become your main focus rather than speed. The challenge lies in conveying the long, singing melodic lines with real dynamics, shaping each note so the phrase breathes rather than plods. On guitar, this means paying close attention to your pick attack or right-hand finger pressure, letting quieter notes fade into the accompaniment. If you are arranging it as a solo piece, the left hand needs to hold bass notes while the melody moves above, which can feel awkward at first. Use the Practice Toolbar to loop those two-voice passages slowed down until your hands work independently. The Soundtrack style here rewards patience and a clean, warm tone over any kind of aggression.

• The melody sits naturally in the A minor scale, making it approachable for intermediate players who want to practise expressive single-note phrasing.
• At 120 BPM the piece is not technically fast, so focus your practice energy on tone, vibrato, and dynamic shading rather than speed.
• Arranging this for solo guitar requires maintaining an independent bass line beneath the melody, a useful exercise in two-voice fingerstyle technique.