Guitar Lesson for "Something" by The Beatles

"Something," one of George Harrison's most beloved compositions from The Beatles' Abbey Road album, stands out as a timeless ballad with beautiful melodic lines and intricate guitar work. Our note-for-note guitar lesson for "Something" at LickLibrary.com dives deep into the techniques and nuances that make this song such a gem. From elegant bends to soulful phrasing, this lesson provides you with the skills and insights to master the song exactly as it was played on the original recording. Jamie Humphries breaks down this iconic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

About the Guitarist: George Harrison

George Harrison, often referred to as "The Quiet Beatle," was a pivotal figure in shaping the sound of The Beatles. While overshadowed in the early years by the songwriting prowess of Lennon and McCartney, Harrison’s contributions matured throughout the band's career. By the time Abbey Road was released, Harrison had evolved into a sophisticated songwriter and an equally inventive guitarist. His work on "Something" is a prime example of his melodious approach, blending precision with emotional depth. Harrison's unique use of phrasing, bends, and subtle vibrato gives "Something" its warm, almost vocal-like quality. His influence can be heard not just in this track but throughout modern rock and pop guitar playing, where simplicity meets soulfulness.

Key Techniques in "Something"

String Bending

One of the hallmarks of Harrison's guitar work in "Something" is his expert use of string bending. The bends are subtle yet expressive, adding a vocal-like quality to the melody. By bending notes up to the desired pitch, players can add emotion and tension to their playing. This technique is particularly useful for players looking to enhance their lead playing and create more dynamic solos.

Vibrato

Harrison’s tasteful application of vibrato throughout the song gives the notes a singing quality. Vibrato involves subtly oscillating the pitch of a note, adding warmth and sustain. For guitarists, mastering vibrato is essential to infuse personality into their playing and make notes feel more alive. In this lesson, you'll learn how to apply vibrato to key phrases in the song, giving them the soulful feel that Harrison was known for.

Slides

Slides are used extensively throughout the song to connect notes smoothly, adding to the flowing nature of the melody. This technique involves sliding the fretting finger from one note to another, creating a seamless transition. Slides are a great way to improve the fluidity of your playing and enhance the legato feel of melodic lines.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Harrison’s use of hammer-ons and pull-offs in "Something" adds to the fluidity of his phrasing. These techniques allow notes to be played without picking every string, creating smooth transitions between pitches. For guitarists, mastering these techniques can greatly improve their legato playing, making fast runs and melodic embellishments easier and more fluid.

Arpeggios

The verses of "Something" prominently feature arpeggios, where the chords are played one note at a time instead of strummed. This technique adds clarity to each chord and brings out the harmonic richness of the song. Learning arpeggios is beneficial for guitarists as it helps in building chord knowledge and finger independence, crucial skills for both rhythm and lead guitar playing.

Chord Progressions

"Something" employs sophisticated chord progressions that are integral to its emotive power. By learning the chord transitions in this song, you will not only improve your knowledge of major and minor chords but also develop a better understanding of how harmonies can be constructed to support melodies.

Finger-picking

Although subtle, elements of finger-picking are present in the song's arrangement. Harrison’s delicate touch on the guitar creates a nuanced texture in certain sections. Finger-picking is essential for players looking to expand their range of rhythmic patterns and articulate complex chords without relying on a pick.

Double Stops

Harrison’s melodic work is enhanced by his use of double stops, where two notes are played simultaneously. This technique allows for harmonised melodies and thicker textures. For guitarists, double stops are a great way to add harmonic depth to solos and melodies, giving your playing a fuller sound.

Why Learn These Techniques?

• Expression through Bending and Vibrato: Mastering bending and vibrato will give your playing a more emotive, vocal-like quality, allowing you to convey more feeling in your solos and melodies.
• Fluidity through Slides, Hammer-ons, and Pull-offs: These techniques help you transition smoothly between notes, making your lead lines more connected and fluid, especially during fast passages.
• Harmonic Understanding with Arpeggios and Chord Progressions: By learning arpeggios and complex chord progressions, you deepen your harmonic knowledge and improve your ability to compose or improvise on guitar.
• Precision with Finger-picking and Double Stops: These techniques add a layer of precision and intricacy to your playing, improving your ability to articulate individual notes and chords.

Guitar Techniques Used in These Lessons:

• String Bending
• Vibrato
• Slides
• Hammer-ons
• Pull-offs
• Arpeggios
• Chord Progressions
• Finger-picking
• Double Stops

By mastering these techniques, you'll not only be able to play "Something" note-for-note, but you'll also enhance your overall guitar skills, making you a more versatile and expressive player.