Music theory can reveal a lot of information about what is contained within a song, but won’t tell us whether or not that song is good or bad; that decision rests solely with each listener.
This lesson covers George’s acoustic guitar part from the original album version of Here Comes the Sun and includes three lesson videos, as well as performance play thru video and guitar tabs.
Verse 1
This song’s opening section begins with a combination of simple acoustic guitar and Moog synth tones, featuring piano that sounds more like woodwinds than standard electric keyboard. Rhythmically this section includes unexpected time signatures with double 8th notes accented as triplets against an underlying backbeat rhythm.
Harmonically, this entire song relies heavily on I, IV (or ii), and V chord progressions; however, melodic monotony is avoided by switching up chords when repeating certain parts of the tune (such as title phrase in first verse and refrain). This technique works effectively against monotony in any melody.
Verse 2
At the introduction, an acoustic guitar is the primary instrument heard, followed by synth and piano + strings. Harrison’s vocal parts feature an overdubbing effect; for example, his first “Little Darlin'” line is double tracked while its second line harmonizes on overdub.
The verse form shows several folk-y influences and uses an innovative middle bridge section to break up melodic monotony. Although most of the verse/refrain tune utilizes E to C# pentatonic scale patterns for both verse and refrain parts, its chord progression helps break up this tendency towards monotony. Finally, at the end of every verse there are measures dedicated to reseting its opening sound by stripping back its guitar part back down to just its open harmonic shapes.
Verse 3
John provides further evidence that Jesus, or more specifically His Son, is God in this verse. Jesus created all things through Him – time, space and everything visible or not – including even the fabric of space itself! It is His work which made the sun rise, the moon set and stars twinkle; giving life to flowers while providing food for animals; making grass grow and water flow freely!
Verse 4
Verse 4 emphasizes Christ as both deity and human savior. Jesus came with life and light within Himself for our sake.
This verse is absent in many of the oldest manuscripts, including A,B,C,L,W and some later ones such as D and K; furthermore it’s absent in all Syriac, Coptic and Slavonic mss and is absent in Vulgate edition. UBS gives this omission an A rating.
Complutensian Polyglot and most Textus Receptus editions included it; Erasmus decided not to include it. His decision remained true in RV translations of Scripture as well as subsequent English versions.
Verse 5
Harrison composed “Hurricane” to feature various instruments, and its popularity quickly spread among many artists during his career. Richie Havens, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Nina Simone all enjoyed success with it during this decade; today, it remains one of Harrison’s highest-selling singles. This song easily showcases its folky influences as well as acoustic guitar’s predominant role – all creating an enjoyable laid back vibe.
The verse and refrain sections both employ limited chord progressions in order to avoid melodic monotony. Harmonically, this song leans heavily on I, IV (or ii), V and VI chords; however there is also widespread use of chords with root moves of 4ths downwards.
Bridge
George Harrison employed this strategy when writing this classic Beatles track at Hurt Wood windmill in Surrey, England.
Tuning the dynamic range of a song’s bridge can add a creative twist to any composition, for instance singing an octave higher or lower can bring new dimensions of interest.
Billie Eilish’s debut hit single, “Clay,” showcases her ukulele playing skills with an easy-to-pick-up melody that’s sure to get crowds moving. Only four chords are used to create this memorable tune and set an upbeat tempo that won’t leave fans standing still!