Even if you’re not a musician, there’s something incredible about the iconic crash of the first chord on The Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. What is that chord anyway? The question has befuddled musicians until now.
If listening to CBCRadio host Randy Bachman deconstruct and play the first chord of “A Hard Day’s Night” doesn’t make you smile with delight, you have no soul. Bachman visited Abby Road Studios where they’ve got all of the Beatles’ master tapes converted to digital in the commonly used music production program Pro Tools. Bachman listened to each of the tracks played back one at a time to reveal the underlying root chord played by George Harrison. Listen for yourself. He nailed it, right? Beautiful. [Reddit via John C. Abell]
Image via akva / Shutterstock.com
Spoon
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:28 AMI am surrounded by musicians at the Conservatorium in Sydney with perfect pitch who are all laughing at the statement “The question has befuddled musicians until now.”
Guys, even a second year music student with some interval training could work out the chord in a couple of minutes.
Matt L
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:38 AMYeah, it’s one thing to get the frequency right. But this chord is made up of multiple instruments, it’s not so easy to work out which chord each individual instrument is playing… They nailed it.
Just This Guy ...
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:23 AMNo, it’s played on a single guitar by George Harrison.
Just This Guy ...
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:32 AMThere is a little overdubbing, but any competent guitarist can hear past all that.
Matt L
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:40 AMI should also point out… Yeah, technically the software revealed it. But the tracks were imported into pro tools first… The original analog tracks would also have revelaed it.
InformedGamer
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:57 AMListened to the first chord.
Didn’t smile.
Am I the only one who doesn’t enjoy the Beatles?!
Just This Guy ...
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:34 AMNo, your just a member of a small minority who HAVE NO SOOOOOOUUULL
:)
Joel
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 10:49 AMThank god I smiled then!