The Genius of John Lennon Guitar by Mike Pachelli

[williamcampbell]

John once said "I play rhythm guitar; it's an important job." Rhythm is the heart of a song.

[aikido]

John’s low note at the end of every verse of “I’m A Loser” is amazing. What a singer! His knowledge and execution of natural low harmonies was splendid.

[giacomoquaresima]

I'm 42 with a great passion for music since I was a child. I studied music at conservatory, played piano for many years, still playing acoustic guitar and singing. I love almost kinds of music from symphonyc to rock and roll .... And I realize that I keep on coming back to the Beatles, to play them, to be fascinated by their musical genius. Thinking that they created all that things at the age of 20-25, without an academic background (just "hearing" or "feeling" the notes and the music) it's unbelievable. To me, they're absolutely on a different level from any other.

[finnmccool]

My God, we were so lucky to have them.

[mountart]

It's amazing, most people I know think John wasn't much of a guitar player. He certainly wasn't a virtuoso on the instrument like a Hendrix or Clapton, but man, he was just about the dirtiest best rock 'n' roll rhythm guitarist that ever played. As well as having the best rock 'n' roll voice ever. And being half of one of the greatest song writing duos ever! Man, he was something else!

[JamesWalshBristolKids]

"Rhythm Guitar can really drive a band." ~ John Lennon.

[clarkquismundo]

John has this unparalleled ability to match everything that he does (singing, playing, harmonizing) into every song that he wrote. Then he adds his soul and emotions to it, and what you get is a masterpiece.

[fabisback]

Spot on. I've found that when learning Beatles songs on the guitar, the rhythm guitar part is often more challenging than the lead simply because the chord positions John uses are so unique. You don't realize just how impressive his playing is by just listening to the songs.

[sunking]

John wrote that his rhythm guitar work in "All My Loving" was probably his best. John was vastly underrated and under appreciated. John was truly a "musical genius" in as he did what I refer to be the "big three"...composed lyrics, composed music (guitar/keyboards), and was an excellent singer. I loved John.

[gioknows]

Lennon's guitar playing is as hauntingly beautiful as his singing.

[realpolitik]

Lennon is also the best rock voice ever. No one later from progressive rock, glam rock, punk, hard rock, metal, grunge, inide rock etc didn't have that energy.
It's not about screaming, shouting and high tones in singing.. J.L. had best attitude in his voice ever. We are all forgeting that many great and famous guitar players was great singers..thats very important for their careers.

[paulbadoo]

Lennon totally led The Beatles with his rhythm guitar playing up until late 1966-1967. His rhythm guitar parts make the songs groove. Help!, We can work it out, I'm only sleeping...Listen to his parts. They are masterful. It's not a coincidence that The Beatles are the greatest band ever, and their leader was the rhythm guitarist.

[gregghorner]

I've never seen a better critique of John's musicianship.

[radofficial]

"I feel fine" was the first Beatles song I ever heard when I was 9yrs old. My sisters boyfriend pointed me to a reel to reel player in the attic of their house "not far from Liverpool". I remember loading up a random reel of tape and pressing the play button.. right there, right then, my whole young outlook on life changed. Like I was hit by a cargo train filled with beautiful music traveling at a thousand MPH, next stop teen world :)

[mrhyde]

As a teen during the 80's, I loved all the hair metal while learning to play guitar. I thought of the Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin as old bands who weren't as "cool", but as I got older, I was drawn to the older stuff. As I progressed and matured, and getting into the classic stuff, I started to see how much better the music was. I never realized how complex the Beatles were until I started learning their songs. I love the Beatles, but if I never learned guitar, I never would've realized how talented they were.

[josephbirnie]

Great job Mike. It’s about time someone did a “workshop“ on the brilliance of John Lennon‘s guitar playing. Being a Beatles fan I really enjoyed it!! thanks

[matthewbraunlin]

I always thought John's inclusion on rolling stone's top 100 guitarists was just for the fact that he was John Lennon. Now i get it.

[vanhetgoor]

Thank you for this explanation. To often the music of The Beatles is just taken for granted, but when the music is analyzed it turns out to be the work of real geniuses. Playing with cords and going where no one was before. Almost every album was a milestone  in music.

[bigdogpete]

Playing like that comes from the heart. All by feel, touch, and love. Well done, you captured his essence.

[michaelwirth]

Everything about the Beatles sound so natural and simple, before you start analyzing what the hell they actually did. And then you're stunned!