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Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps Guitar Lesson + Tutorial
Today I want to share with you one of the most LEGENDARY guitar songs of all time.
In fact, for the first time ever I am going to peel back the curtain on this timeless song.
I’m spilling the beans on how to play “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” on guitar.
We’ll cover the background of the song, the chord progressions, the strumming patterns you need to know, and even how to solo over it in the style of Eric Clapton.
So grab your guitar. Get tuned up, and let’s get started!
Who wrote While My Guitar Gently Weeps?
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles. It was written by George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the band. And it was included on The Beatles' self-titled album, commonly known as the White Album, released in 1968.
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is one of Harrison's most iconic compositions and is often regarded as one of The Beatles' finest songs.
Harrison wrote the song in 1968, during a period when there was tension within the band. The lyrics reflect his sense of frustration and disillusionment with the world. The inspiration for the song came from a book he had randomly picked up, where he had seen the phrase "gently weeps."
One of the standout elements of the song is the memorable guitar solo. Harrison invited his friend, the renowned guitarist Eric Clapton, to play the solo. Clapton's contribution added an extra layer of emotion and virtuosity to the song.
What key is While My Guitar Gently Weeps in?
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is in two different keys. It is primarily in the key of Am, but then in the bridge section the key shifts to the key of A major. In music theory, this concept is known as the parallel key. You can have a parallel major or a parallel minor.
The "parallel minor" refers to a minor key that shares the same tonic, or starting note, as a major key. In other words, it's the minor key that is based on the same root note as the major key.
For instance, the parallel minor of C major is C minor.
“While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is a great example of this concept in action. The Verse of the song is in A minor and then the Bridge goes to A major.
Going from the minor key to the major key makes the music sound like the sun is coming out.
But you can go either direction. Minor to major or major to minor.
By using parallel major and minor keys, musicians can create interesting contrasts and variations in mood and tonality within their music.
This trick was used very often by Harrison and the Beatles. Plus it was also used by Eric Clapton in his song “Bell Bottom Blues.”
While My Guitar Gently Weeps Guitar chords
There are 12 chords you need to know to play “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. Those 12 chords are Am, Am/G, D/F#, F, G, D, E, C, A, C#m, F#m, and finally Bm.
👉Read the full blog here: www.jonmaclennan.com/blog/whi...
👉Discover the 5 MUST-KNOW chords and scales to play in ANY style anywhere on the neck FREE PDF GUIDE → www.jonmaclennan.com/fretboar...