This Here Comes the Sun guitar lesson is suitable for high intermediate players. Played with a capo on fret 7, this song includes intricate strumming and picking patterns.
This song employs major chords G, C and D as its core. These three chords can be found in many songs; thus making this an excellent starting point. When learning G to C transitions may prove tricky when first starting out; take your time and build on each note gradually to progress smoothly.
Intro
Take your time when practicing this chord progression – it will pay off! Plus, this exercise provides great practice for strengthening the 3rd finger of beginner guitarists who may find this section challenging.
This lesson covers all of the basic chords and strumming techniques necessary to play this beautiful song, before going one step further by showing how to perform its unique picking technique from its original recording. Although this is considered a high intermediate-level lesson, most beginners with patience can complete it successfully.
Start off this lesson in G major with your capo at the 7th fret. Alternately, play in C major with capo at 5th fret or A minor (but be wary – this one has some tricky strings!). G, C and D chords are some of the most widely-used chords used in popular music, being used in literally thousands of songs worldwide.
Verse
“Here Comes the Sun” begins with an open G chord, one of the easiest major chords on guitar. Beginners may find this song particularly useful, starting off by learning this basic chord shape before progressing onto more complex rhythms found in its bridge section. Additionally, playing “Here Comes the Sun” provides an excellent opportunity to practice chord transitions such as shifting from G to C chord changes without tightening up too tightly or closing your 3rd finger which would otherwise deaden sound quality.
George Harrison composed “Layla”, recorded it early 1969 at his country house in Ewhurst, Surrey where the acoustic version was laid down at Hurt Wood windmill nearby his residence and has become one of his most enduring and widely covered compositions, being covered by artists such as Nina Simone, Richie Havens and Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.
Chorus
A catchy chorus can make or break a song. These short and catchy verses often feature memorable lyrics with strong melodies and chord progressions, often being supported by other musical elements.
Pre-chorus sections that build to and prepare listeners for the chorus are known as pre-choruses; after some songs’ choruses come post-choruses with different characteristics; typically speaking they increase sonic energy while providing melodic hooks.
The Beatles’ version of “Here Comes the Sun” is an upbeat rock song with a simple structure and melodic hook, popular among artists including Richie Havens, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel and Nina Simone – to name but a few. George Harrison wrote its tune at Hurt Wood windmill in Ewhurst Surrey where it first started its life as an upbeat rock song.
Bridge
A bridge is a musical section that contrasts with the preceding verses or choruses and can take many forms; it can add creativity to a song.
“Here Comes the Sun” features an unusual bridge section. It employs sixfold repetition of a three measure phrase from the refrain which has open harmonic ends on both ends to avoid monotony in its melody, as well as shifting slightly away from conventional 4/4 meter usage in verse and refrain by using 7/8 grouping of 2 + 3, parsed as triplet meter.
Additionally, key changes can provide some striking contrast with the rest of your song’s key progressions. By shifting into another key, modulation can add excitement to your track and keep listeners engaged – just be sure to plan for these shifts ahead of time in order to ensure they occur smoothly and naturally.