Nowhere Man Chord

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 9:54 am

...which leads me to believe that the Beatles wrote "Nowhere Man" in anticipation of Mr. Walter Everett!

wolfgang · Post by **wolfgang** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 10:53 am

Yes, Paul,
but this was not my intention.
The Everett books are good books and well-researched.
Not so speculative like Ian Macdonald's book was. But when it comes to Beatles "gear", Everett is not the first choice (nor Macdonald).
But let me say: to me it's fun to find out the right chords of a song. When I played Beatle songs in 1976 in an amateur band, we were lucky to find any useful sheet music. "The Beatles Complete for Piano". Haha! My very first song I played in public was "You can't do that", me playing bass, Hofner Beatle bass. Without vocal part, just the signature riff played on a no name 6 string guitar and the chords G, C, D7 (!). And no solo in the middle eight.
But two years ago I bought my first Rickenbacker (325V63) and "The Beatles Complete Chord Songbook", and there it was: D7#9:
"told you before..."
But this book cannot solve our little Nowhere Man problem either

.

Wolfgang

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:13 am

Wolfgang, are you looking at the " The Beatles Complete Chord Songbook" put out by Hal Leonard publishing?

wolfgang · Post by **wolfgang** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:32 am

my soft cover edition has its copyright 1999 by Wise Publications, exclusive distributors: Music Sales Limited, London, England, not for sale in the United States and Canada.
Music arranged by Rikky Rooksby,
Musc edited by Arthur Dick.

I purchased it here in Berlin/Germany

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:38 am

Wolfgang: There is nothing more fun than to try to figure out the Beatles recordings note for note.

The Complete Beatles Score is a fantastic first start, but it has a fair number of errors. Once the notes are right then there is the task of producing the right sound, and so on.

Long live our discussions of playing Beatle music Wolfgang.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 11:53 am

Can I jump in here, gentlemen, and comment that this has been most enlightening? It is by far my favorite Beatles song, sound-wise, and right near the top musically and lyrically.

Begs the question: What's next?

And I can hardly wait!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sat Apr 23, 2005 12:38 pm

I have to agree. It has been a lesson. And the list of Beatles songs worthy of debate are long. But it was great to read each persons take. So, now this is out of the way, what about 'Drive My Car'? Peter? Wolfgang?

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 1:24 am

Before we move on, just a brief comment to say that the guitar riffs and chords play only form part of the challenge in performing the music of The Beatles. Often some of the greatest challenges include singing one of three part harmonies while holding up your end of the instrumental work as well. On some songs, for me at least, it takes much longer to perfect all the vocals than the guitar parts.

goldenoldie · Post by **goldenoldie** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 4:03 am

The chord George strums before the first intro riff is actually X22432. This might be called a E7sus2/B. Try that one before playing the first intro note 'A'on the 3rd string 2nd fret.
The basic rythym track also sounds capoed to me.

admin · Post by **admin** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 4:19 am

Tom: Thanks for your clarification and comments.

I agree that if you play the X22432 that you are right and it would be properly called E7sus2/B. I am, not sure, however, that he plays this full chord and perhaps only a part, hence my D6/9 suggestion. In the context of the key of the song, I am inclined to adopt your offering here as it is more proper.

The basic rhythm track is most certainly capoed at the second fret with Lennon playing the D chord formation of the E. It is another interesting part of the song that gives it a rich and unique texture.

goldenoldie · Post by **goldenoldie** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 5:15 am

Nowhere Man is a good example of Beatle synergy. A tight ensamble = more than the sum of it's parts. I enjoy music from their 'middle' period.

Actually, when I play it solo on acoustic, I use the E form chord, and finger-pick bass notes and riff patterns, but that wouldn't work with a group.

Peter....I'll probably never completely understand chord nomenclature.

This link got me to relisten to the song with greater appreciation.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 10:03 am

I would love a run through of "Drive My Car" from you guys. I'm secretly hoping that it's included on Rob T's Volume 3

.

aristeas · Post by **aristeas** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 2:57 pm

Great stuff guys, but no mention of Georges sublime solo - 20 seconds of perfection that I could listen to over and over.

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 2:04 am

Lee: Yes we only made a fleeting reference to Harrison's classic solo. I too savour this beautiful solo and, as you have reminded us, we have been remiss in not discussing it further. I have always loved his style which took arpeggios from the chord formations in a way that flowed. It is still difficult for me to talk of George in the past tense as his music is as fresh in my mind today as when I heard the first notes in the 1960s.

Seamless scintillating sliding transitions as opposed to the rather abrupt and disjointed passages played by some of his contemporaries. Thoughtful, reflective and measured in his music as in life. The solo for Nowhere Man really makes this wonderful song sparkle.

I love the trebly tonality of the Stratocaster and the use of compression followed by the crowning harmonic touch on the last note. A class act that has earned its place in our memories, George's music had a certain something about it.

wolfgang · Post by **wolfgang** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 11:13 am

George and John played it in unison.
I do the fageolet E on the 1st string / 5th fret,
right?