George Harrison’s expertise on guitar was far more subdued than other players. He isn’t considered a flashy soloist like Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page. Instead he dealt in timeless riffs. He is considered one of the best guitarists ever because of that skill.
Harrison wasn’t usually one to boast, but he did take credit for a unique chord once. Learn more about the chord Harrison invented, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
The Guitar Chord George Harrison Invented
Harrison counted “I Want to Tell You” as one of his proudest musical moments. The Revolver cut saw the guitarist take some big risks in terms of melody making. The Beatles weren’t strangers to a risk in the studio, but Harrison thought this moment was particularly special.
“An E7th with an F on the top,” Harrison once said. “I’m really proud of that because I literally invented that chord. The song was about the frustration we all feel about trying to communicate certain things with just words. I realised the chords I knew at the time just didn’t capture that feeling. So after I got the guitar riff, I experimented until I came up with this dissonant chord that really echoed that sense of frustration.”
We have to agree with Harrison. The chord structure does help to capture the essence of the song. Moreover, few artists have dared to replicate that bold chord sequence. According to Harrison, only John Lennon (in “I Want You (She’s So Heavy”) and The Pretenders (on “Back on the Chain Gang”) have used that same chord.
His unique sense of musicality was largely influenced by Indian culture. Harrison became enamored with the country halfway through his time with the Beatles. The warping melodies that are found in Indian music found their way into Harrison’s guitar playing for the English rockers.
Check out the interesting chord structure on “I Want to Tell You,” below.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Moviestore/Shutterstock
More Features
-
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns -
Musician Bob Seger performs at the Alpine Valley Music Theater, East Troy, Wisconsin, July 13, 1977. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images) -
Photo by Steve Woods/Mirrorpix via Getty Images -
From left, Paul McCartney (playing a Hofner 500/1 violin bass guitar) and John Lennon (playing a Gibson J-160E acoustic guitar) of English rock and pop group The Beatles perform on stage for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) music television show 'Shindig!' at Granville Studios in Fulham, London on 3rd October 1964. The band would play three songs on the show, Kansas City/hey-Hey-Hey!, I'm a Loser and Boys. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) -
English singers, musicians, and songwriters Mick Jagger (at microphone), Keith Richards and Bill Wyman (far right) of the rock band 'The Rolling Stones,' perform on stage at Madison Square Garden, November 28, 1969. Jagger stands with his hands on his hips, eyes closed, and lips pursed together as he sings. (Photo by David Fenton/Getty Images) -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 01: Rex Allen, Jr. performs on stage at the Country Music Festival held at Wembley Arena, London in April 1986. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns) -
Don Henley on 7/3/85 in Chicago, Il. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) -
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Lindsey Buckingham, former member of Fleetwood Mac, performs onstage at the Lobero Theatre on April 15, 2022 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)