Everybody knows how wonderful the Beatles songwriting and recording skills were. But have you thought about their guitar work? You need to. The Beatles actually had three great guitar players-George, John, and Paul-each of whom played the axe on various tracks. Even though George Harrison is usually thought to be the lead guitar player, on various records each of the others played lead. To really grasp how the Beatles approached the guitar, you should therefore learn several Beatles songs--one from each guitarist--to get a good idea of the style of each Beatle guitarist. Also, serious players will want to learn both acoustic and electric songs. The Beatles approached the guitar playing differently when the instrument was electrified. (Don't we all?) To help you along, I've made a list of the best Beatles songs to learn on guitar to help you out. Ive chosen some electric and some acoustic ones. I've even chosen some by Paul, some by George, and some by John.
1. Yesterday
Paul McCartney plays the acoustic guitar on Yesterday. Paul plays acoustic guitar while he sings on this recording--something he was particularly good at. Yesterday is the 1st time that just a single Beatle appears a recording. (The strings were added in after the fact as an overdub.) Yesterday isn't too difficult to play on acoustic guitar...it's by far the most recorded tune in rock and roll history. This makes it the perfect tune to add to your repertoire. For the more advanced guitar players, Yesterday is an excellent study in Paul McCartney's ballad guitar approach. It consists of some great chord changes, wonderful rhythm, and several great licks for those people who pay special attention to each phrase. Yesterday is my personal pick as the top Beatles tracks to learn on guitar.
2. Hard Days Night
A Hard Day's Night is a mostly Lennon-written track. John raced home and very quickly penned the tune (through the night) when the Beatles recognized they had to have a title song for their movie. In genuine competitive spirit, John wanted to guarantee one of his tracks was chosen as the title song. George Harrison performs the actual electric guitar sections (i.e. the intro and outro).John plays acoustic guitar during the entire tune, providing the predominant groove. A Hard Day's Night opens with a jangly Fadd9 chord from George's twelve string electric Rickenbacker. This track and motion picture motivated an entire generation to pick up a guitar and form a band. The middle section of the track is fun for acoustic guitar strummers, the intro and outro (and solo section) are great for electric guitar players.
Song 3. I Want To Hold Your Hand
I Want To Hold Your Hand is among my most loved Beatles tracks. It really is genuine excitement and it's probably the very best of the early Beatles tracks. According to John, I Want To Hold Your Hand was a true face-to-face collaboration. The song is certainly tons of fun to try out on guitar. The mix literally makes the song simpler to play because it pans Harrison's guitar to 1 side and John's to the other. Also, the electricity of the track is striking.
4: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
This tune provides both acoustic and electric guitars producing the rhythm. Over the top of all of this is Eric Clapton's weeping guitar solos. The song represents George Harrison's guitar work on my list because it has something for everyone--the acoustic strummer, the electric rhythm player, and the soloist.
I'd highly recommend you check out the performance of this song from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DVD where it was performed by the supergroup of Dhani Harrison (George's son), Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Prince. Talk about a supergroup! Prince absolutely rips the roof off of the solo. It gives me chills every time I watch it.
5: Blackbird
Blackbird, from the White Album, is a McCartney song. It really is likely Paul's best acoustic guitar work. The sole percussion on the tune is in fact Paul's shoe. McCartney is simply tapping his highly fashionable boot to help keep the tempo, and it's deliberately captured on the recording. The somewhat tough guitar on this amazing track may not be suited for beginning players. I'd personally endorse it for intermediate and professional guitar players, however. In Blackbird, McCartney's showcases his acoustic guitar playing--especially the arpeggiated technique he developed while in India. Just as John picked up a few tips from Donovan (see Across the Universe), Paul was not to be outdone. The result is what you hear in Blackbird.
1. Yesterday
Paul McCartney plays the acoustic guitar on Yesterday. Paul plays acoustic guitar while he sings on this recording--something he was particularly good at. Yesterday is the 1st time that just a single Beatle appears a recording. (The strings were added in after the fact as an overdub.) Yesterday isn't too difficult to play on acoustic guitar...it's by far the most recorded tune in rock and roll history. This makes it the perfect tune to add to your repertoire. For the more advanced guitar players, Yesterday is an excellent study in Paul McCartney's ballad guitar approach. It consists of some great chord changes, wonderful rhythm, and several great licks for those people who pay special attention to each phrase. Yesterday is my personal pick as the top Beatles tracks to learn on guitar.
2. Hard Days Night
A Hard Day's Night is a mostly Lennon-written track. John raced home and very quickly penned the tune (through the night) when the Beatles recognized they had to have a title song for their movie. In genuine competitive spirit, John wanted to guarantee one of his tracks was chosen as the title song. George Harrison performs the actual electric guitar sections (i.e. the intro and outro).John plays acoustic guitar during the entire tune, providing the predominant groove. A Hard Day's Night opens with a jangly Fadd9 chord from George's twelve string electric Rickenbacker. This track and motion picture motivated an entire generation to pick up a guitar and form a band. The middle section of the track is fun for acoustic guitar strummers, the intro and outro (and solo section) are great for electric guitar players.
Song 3. I Want To Hold Your Hand
I Want To Hold Your Hand is among my most loved Beatles tracks. It really is genuine excitement and it's probably the very best of the early Beatles tracks. According to John, I Want To Hold Your Hand was a true face-to-face collaboration. The song is certainly tons of fun to try out on guitar. The mix literally makes the song simpler to play because it pans Harrison's guitar to 1 side and John's to the other. Also, the electricity of the track is striking.
4: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
This tune provides both acoustic and electric guitars producing the rhythm. Over the top of all of this is Eric Clapton's weeping guitar solos. The song represents George Harrison's guitar work on my list because it has something for everyone--the acoustic strummer, the electric rhythm player, and the soloist.
I'd highly recommend you check out the performance of this song from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame DVD where it was performed by the supergroup of Dhani Harrison (George's son), Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Prince. Talk about a supergroup! Prince absolutely rips the roof off of the solo. It gives me chills every time I watch it.
5: Blackbird
Blackbird, from the White Album, is a McCartney song. It really is likely Paul's best acoustic guitar work. The sole percussion on the tune is in fact Paul's shoe. McCartney is simply tapping his highly fashionable boot to help keep the tempo, and it's deliberately captured on the recording. The somewhat tough guitar on this amazing track may not be suited for beginning players. I'd personally endorse it for intermediate and professional guitar players, however. In Blackbird, McCartney's showcases his acoustic guitar playing--especially the arpeggiated technique he developed while in India. Just as John picked up a few tips from Donovan (see Across the Universe), Paul was not to be outdone. The result is what you hear in Blackbird.
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