Eight Days A Week by The Beatles

The Beatles' classic hit, "Eight Days A Week," offers guitarists an opportunity to explore a wide range of fundamental and advanced guitar techniques, all of which are essential for any musician looking to improve their rhythm, chord work, and overall playing versatility. In this note-for-note guitar lesson, we'll take you through each section of the song, highlighting the key guitar techniques used and their benefits to you as a player. Michael Casswell breaks down this iconic 60s track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview and Guitarists

"Eight Days A Week" was released in 1964 and quickly became one of The Beatles' most beloved tracks. The guitar work in this song is a testament to the innovation of John Lennon and George Harrison, who shared the role of guitarists in the band. Lennon's rhythm guitar drives the song with clean and precise strumming patterns, while Harrison's melodic approach adds a subtle layer of intricacy to the track.

John Lennon's mastery of rhythm guitar playing influenced countless musicians with his ability to create catchy, upbeat progressions that laid a foundation for many iconic rock and pop songs. George Harrison's melodic sensibility and signature lead lines added colour and depth to The Beatles' music, solidifying his status as one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock history.

Techniques Breakdown

Chord Progressions

The foundation of "Eight Days A Week" revolves around catchy and straightforward chord progressions. You'll learn to navigate the song's mix of open and barre chords, which provide a great exercise in rhythm guitar playing. Mastering chord progressions will improve your timing, hand coordination, and overall understanding of musical structure.

Barre Chords

Lennon and Harrison often utilised barre chords throughout their catalog, and "Eight Days A Week" is no exception. Barre chords are crucial for any guitarist looking to expand their chord vocabulary. By practicing these shapes, you'll develop the hand strength needed to play more complex progressions and gain the ability to play movable chords up and down the neck.

Strumming Patterns

The song features a rhythm that utilises syncopation and a consistent strumming pattern. Strumming is essential to building rhythm guitar skills. Learning the specific strumming patterns in this song will help you lock into a groove, develop your timing, and gain control over dynamics, allowing for more expressive playing.

Slides

Throughout the song, Harrison incorporates slides between chord positions, which adds a smooth, flowing quality to the transitions. Mastering slides will help you connect different parts of the fretboard and transition more seamlessly between chords or lead phrases. It's a great way to add fluidity to your playing.

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

In certain parts of the song, Harrison plays through arpeggiated chord progressions, which involve picking the individual notes of a chord in sequence rather than strumming them all at once. This technique enhances your finger dexterity and coordination, helping you to create more melodic and expressive guitar parts.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

In some of the lead fills, you'll notice the use of both hammer-ons and pull-offs, which give the guitar lines more fluidity and speed without needing to pick every note. Practicing these will allow you to add speed and grace to your playing, helping you transition between notes more efficiently.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythmic feel of "Eight Days A Week" features syncopated rhythms, which give the song its lively, upbeat drive. Syncopation, where you emphasise off-beats, is a fundamental rhythm technique that will significantly improve your sense of timing and groove. Mastering syncopated rhythms is essential for playing more complex and engaging strumming patterns.

Double Stops

The use of double stops can be found in the song’s guitar fills, which involve playing two notes at the same time. This technique adds harmonic richness to single-note lines and is a great way to enhance your soloing capabilities. Practicing double stops helps build strength in both your fretting and picking hands and is a key component in playing harmonised lead lines.

The Benefits of Learning "Eight Days A Week"

Learning this song will not only improve your rhythm and lead guitar skills but also develop a more precise understanding of how guitar parts can be layered to create a fuller sound. The mix of chord progressions, strumming patterns, and lead embellishments in "Eight Days A Week" serves as a fantastic example of The Beatles’ ability to craft simple yet effective guitar parts. You'll come away from this lesson with stronger chordal playing, better timing, and enhanced lead guitar techniques.

In addition, this song is a great introduction to the core techniques every guitarist should know. By mastering these elements, you'll be well-prepared to tackle more advanced songs and techniques, building a solid foundation for further musical growth.

Guitar Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Chord Progressions
• Barre Chords
• Slides
• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Syncopated Rhythms
• Double Stops

This comprehensive guitar lesson on "Eight Days A Week" provides you with everything you need to nail the song and boost your guitar skills. Whether you're focusing on improving your rhythm work, honing your lead playing, or just mastering another classic Beatles hit, this lesson is the perfect way to grow as a guitarist.