Master George Harrison’s Timeless Classic: Unleash Your Inner Rockstar with “Something” Guitar Lesson

The beauty of playing the guitar is in the countless possibilities provided by playing different chords. From simple triads to complex extended chords, they all help to define the melody and rhythm of a musical piece. As a seasoned guitar player, one of my favorite things to teach my students is to understand and execute complex chords. It does not only broaden their playing field, but it also elevates their musicality. Now, there’s this keyword I mentioned: ‘complex chords.’ Understanding what it means is just as important as learning how to play it.

When I say complex chords, I refer to chords that, unlike basic ones, have additional notes which create a richer, fuller sound. They can often appear intimidating because of their unusual structures, but once you understand them, they will open up a whole new aspect of music to you.

To start with, let’s discuss a sequence I’ve played a lot around with recently, initiated by a request on a George Harrison piece. Harrison, a former Beatles member, was known for infusing complex chords into pop music, hugely aiding its evolution. This particular sequence features several beautiful complex chords, coupled with a few nice rhythm sections. Consider these chords; C Major, C Major 7, Dominant C7, F Major, D Major, D7, and G Major. They all offer something unique in the sequence.

C Major is a simple triad, consisting of C, E, and G notes. Following that is the C Major 7, which only requires taking off your first finger on the B string to make room for a B note. It’s as simple as that. This little tweak drops the cord’s pitch-half step, offering a jazzier vibe. Now, the Dominant C7. To play this chord, simply put your pinky back on the third fret of the G string. It adds a seventh note to the C Major Chord, thus deepening your sound.

The F Major with its full-bodied richness, plus the D Major and D7, all contribute unique fractions to the melody. Finally, the G Major wraps up the sequence on a light, bright note.

What’s more captivating is how these chords fall seamlessly into each other in the sequence. It’s a testament to George Harrison’s ingenuity, and a peek into the magic you can achieve with a little knowledge of complex-chord theory.

Nonetheless, complex chords are not just about adding a couple of notes haphazardly. It’s about understanding the scale, and how each note impacts the overall progression of the melody. When you learn to view chords in their relations to each other on the scale, you can begin to identify patterns, and this dramatically improves your ability to anticipate chord sequences and improvisations.

Notably, these chord transitions complement the song’s rhythm. Although it’s mostly a simple four-beat per measure tune, it is worth noting that the rhythm changes at specific points, particularly in section A where it switches to two beats at certain spots. Picking up these changes is as important as mastering the chords themselves for overall coherence.

By learning to play and understand complex chords, you’re not only adding a new tool to your guitar toolbox but enhancing your overall guitar artistry. This knowledge can make a difference between someone who just plays the guitar and a real musician who understands the beautiful dynamics of the guitar.

In conclusion, playing complex chords might seem daunting at first, but with a little effort, it soon becomes just another fun element of guitar-wielding. Harrison used to say, “The biggest break in my career was getting into the Beatles in 1962. The second biggest was getting out.” In the same vein, learning simple chords might be your biggest break in your guitar career, but learning complex ones, well, that’s your ticket out of the beginner phase. So give it a try and determine how it changes your rhythm.
Let’s talk rhythm patterns and timing when playing guitar. It’s a critical part of your overall technique, one that brings a piece of music to life! Just like the heart’s steady beat giving life to the body, the rhythm, the timing, they’re the lifeblood of every tune. They shape the form, the flow, and the feel of the melody.

Taking this really fun piece that George Harrison masterfully composed, we can delve deep into understanding the rhythmic patterns and the importance of timing. This particular tune, laden with beautiful chords and a chromatic line that sounds as intriguing as it’s to play, offers valuable insights into mastering rhythm and timing.

In its structure, a notable characteristic is the rhythmic allocation to each chord. Specifically, it’s mostly a four-beat per measure tune, which means every time you strike a chord, you’re counting to four beats. You’re essentially pulsing with the rhythm, becoming one with it, and ensuring every strum resonates within that rhythm. For instance, consider the flow from C Major to C Major 7, to dominant C7, and finally, to F Major. Each chord gets its own measure, its own four beats; that’s its time to shine, its moment in the spotlight.

However, there’s a delightful twist. At certain points in the A section of the song, the rhythm switches to two beats per measure instead of four. It might seem like a minor alteration, but in the grand scheme of the melody, it makes a world of difference. It’s like changing pace mid-walk: it impacts the overall journey.

Some chords like the A minor, A minor major 7 and A minor 7 transition at a faster pace, getting only two beats each. The change is quick, yet smooth, and it adds a dash of complexity that makes the song so much more enjoyable. Imagine it as a sudden sprint in between a relaxing walk!

The tune does justice to each chord, giving it the beats it needs to establish its character before moving to the next. For example, D7 to G only gets two beats—one, two, three, four, change. The shifts are swift but in time. This is a brilliant example of rhythm manipulation to serve the song’s emotional storyline, reflecting the true artistry in Harrison’s composition.

So how does an understanding of rhythmic patterns and timing improve your guitar play?

Knowing the rhythm and being conscious of the timing allows you to predict chord changes and switch seamlessly. You’ll understand the song’s pace, allowing you to express emotion more effectively through your playing. It’s also indispensable when playing with others, ensuring you’re all ‘speaking the same language’ musically.

When you own the rhythm, you own the music. It’s like having a superpower—you can make people dance, cry, laugh, or sing along just by manipulating the rhythm of a tune.

Still, these skills are like muscles; the more you exercise them, the stronger they become. Therefore, practice is critical. Listen to different tunes and try to understand their rhythmic patterns. Then, pick up your guitar and replicate them. Start slow and gradually increase your speed without sacrificing accuracy.

In the end, learning to master the rhythm and timing on a guitar comes down to three Cs—chords, counting, and concentration. Know the chords, keep counting the beats, and concentrate on maintaining rhythm. And don’t forget to have fun while doing it! It’s the rhythm that makes our hearts flutter when a favorite song comes on, and it’s the rhythm that will make others’ hearts flutter when they hear you play. So, dive into it and see how vibrant your music becomes.
One of the things about playing the guitar that is fascinating is tracing single note lines and how they create temptation and dramatic payoff. It’s a blend of craftiness, finesse, and, importantly, lots of practice. As a guitar teacher, it gives me great joy to share insights and tips on enhancing musicality by effectively tracing single note lines.

You see, single note lines, or melodies as they’re often called, are the backbone of any song. They’re the singer’s best friends and, as a guitarist, mastering these will amp your performances unmistakably. Let’s take a deep dive into it, taking cues from one of George Harrison’s pieces, requested by one of my students.

In this choice, Harrison masterfully used single note lines. The first riff begins on the A note, which you can play on either the fifth fret on the high e-string or the tenth fret on the b-string. A series of crisp notes follow, leading up to C with a bend, a half-step bend to be precise, finally falling back to A, then a sharp B, and a C. When the C is played, it’s the start of a measure at which an open C chord is introduced.

This opening series of notes is a perfect illustration of how single note lines can introduce a chord and establish the tonality of a tune. And Harrison, in his signature brilliance, does this so seamlessly giving off an engagingly fun vibe.

Now, what’s the point of single note lines? First, they’re an essential part of building a melody. Also, they have an expressive power of their own. By using them, you can effectively convey emotions and feelings in the context of a song. For instance, a well-placed bend can express longing or angst, while staccato-like notes can express tension.

In the example mentioned, the open C chord that follows the single note line at the start is a testament to how effectively such lines can integrate and enhance chord progression in a song. This pattern continues through the tune, each note line feeding into the chords, each chord serving as a springboard for the next note line, all weaved in a beautiful melody. We can see here how the single note lines sort of lead the dance, guiding each chord in and out of the rhythm.

To master single note lines, it’s vital to do two things – listen and practice. Pay careful attention to how note lines play into chords in different songs. Also, spend time playing these note lines and understand the scaling of your fretboard. This knowledge makes it easy to visualize and create your own single note passages and play them with confidence.

Moreover, remember that single note lines are not only critical in song structure, but they’re also handy when you’re soloing. They help you ensure that your solos are not just random notes scattered over a scale pattern, but rather create musical ideas that serve the song.

And lastly, don’t forget the role rhythm plays in all this. The rhythm is what makes a single note line more than just a sequence of notes. It gives the notes their pulse, their life. In the song we looked at, the beats per measure play an essential role in shaping the rhythm around which the single note lines and chord progressions are built.

In the end, these tips are just a guide. Playing guitar, like any other form of art, is also about personal expression. Different players will trace single note lines differently, and that’s perfectly okay. The goal is to keep learning, getting the basics right, then let your creativity fly. Try tracing single note lines today and see how they transform your playing. Hear it, feel it, play it!

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Also, remember that mastering guitar playing necessitates a solid grasp of basics and an understanding of chord progressions. Visit these links to delve deeper into basics and fundamentals and explore more about chords and progressions. Keep advancing, keep practising, and remember – guitar learning is a journey, not a destination!