This song’s primary instrument is an acoustic guitar, while other contributors to its backing track include piano + strings, bass, and drums.
This Beatles classic offers an upbeat melody and harmonic complexity. Additionally, it provides an excellent opportunity for practicing fingerstyle guitar. This lesson includes three lesson videos as well as performance play thru videos and tabs to support learning this piece of music.
Verse 1
Folky influences of this song can be heard in its series of Verse/Refrain pairs and prominence of an acoustic guitar in its arrangements, and its overall laid back mood. Harmonically it utilizes I, IV (or ii), V chord progressions but its use of middle bridge modalization and offbeat metrical patterns prevent any monotonous melodic progressions from developing into monotony.
George Harrison recorded the acoustic guitar part for this song at his country house near Hurt Wood windmill, as well as adding overdubbing for its title phrase in its refrains.
Verse 2
Acoustic guitar and synthesizer open this song with a staggered entrance that mimics an orchestral prelude; a similar technique is then employed for the title phrase in the first refrain.
Harmonic progression utilizes I, IV and V chords with slight emphasis placed on V to avoid melodic monotony.
This song has been covered by many artists, such as Nina Simone and Richie Havens. Additionally, it was included on the soundtrack for The Wizard of Oz movie.
Verse 3
Verse 3 features The Beatles writing about spring’s approach – something which comes as welcome relief after the long winter and heralds an exciting promise of new life and growth.
George Harrison composed this tune in early 1969 while at Hurt Wood Windmill in Ewhurst, Surrey and it became one of his signature compositions, covered by many artists such as Nina Simone and Richie Havens.
Learn the guitar classic “Here Comes the Sun” step-by-step, with this lesson that includes a performance play thru video, full tabs and chords.
Verse 4
This verse underlines Jesus’ superiority by emphasizing how He is the “exact imprint” of God’s nature and spiritual sustenance provider.
This addition appears only in Codex W and was first added by James Moffatt for his 1935 translation of Genesis 8-9 into Codex W. His practice of placing it between verse 8 and 9 was followed by RSV which acknowledged this addition with a footnote, though more modern translations omitting it altogether.
Verse 5
The Beatles’ version of Here Comes the Sun is well known for George Harrison’s use of both an acoustic guitar and the Moog synthesizer in addition to featuring an unconventional set of time signatures within its bridge section.
Folk-influenced influences can be heard throughout this song, as are chord progressions that use an opposite version of what the Beatles typically used: V-of-V to IV progressions. A heavy stepwise bassline underlies its syncopated first measure.
Verse 6
This song provides the ideal opportunity to build up strength in both hands, with its intricate time signatures. Be sure that your capo is placed correctly and that strumming remains even and consistent for an effective workout!
The Beatles recorded Their version of Here Comes the Sun at EMI Studios in London between July and August 1969. George Harrison played acoustic guitar on this track and used an early Moog synthesizer that was inspired by Indian classical music for this recording session. Since its recording, the song has become one of their best-known compositions with richie Havens covering it as well as Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel covering their version.
Verse 7
“Here Comes the Sun” stands apart from many of its fellow Beatles songs by not featuring complex chord progressions or complicated riffs. Instead, its main riff centers on open D and you only need one finger – both picking and strumming finger! – for playing it successfully! George Harrison wrote it at Hurtwood Edge near Ewhurst in Surrey England at his country estate home he called Hurtwood Edge near Ewhurst.
Verse 8
Harrison sings about the dissonance between “flesh and spirit”, representing humans’ inherent sinful natures and carnal desires which go against God’s will, while spirit represents transformation through divine influence that allows believers to live according to His will. Additionally, this song is noted for its Indian-influenced harmonies and time signature changes as well as other artists covering it including Nina Simone and Richie Havens.
Verse 9
In this lesson you’ll learn George Harrison’s acoustic guitar part from the original album version of Here Comes the Sun. Due to its unusual time signatures and keys, this song requires that you are comfortable playing multiple keys while shifting around some.
This song is in A Major, which is a popular key among popular songs. Additionally, its melodic complexity rating is fairly straightforward for playing.