The ACTUAL REAL CORRECT tuning of the Beatles’ “Rain”

This is probably my most polarizing video ever.

I always heard this SUPER low note in the outro of “Rain” around 2:06. I thought it was an artifact of slowing the guitar down.

With the release of the new Revolver Super Deluxe box set I got to hear the original version of “Rain” in the original key (B flat-ish) before they slowed it down (G-ish)
At 2:06 George plays a low Bb, F then “Chord”
So I think he was in an open tuning.
What do y’all think?
It’s got that glorious jangly 60s sound for sure…

[myguitardetective]

I finally got back to this! I feel confident that this version, that you've presented of the tuning, is 100% correct. There is another variation of this tuning floating about, used for Rain, that predates yours by 4 years, where it's possible to play this almost perfectly. The Bass notes in that tuning are the same as yours. The treble strings feature the same notes but on different strings.That tuning is (Low to High) : A E A A C# E. Now, I feel confident yours is correct because the tuning you've settled upon is one of the 4 different common open A tunings. Your tuning (low to high) is: A E A E A C#. I think it's important that it's a known tuning that was in circulation in the UK; having said that, it's still highly unusual for the Beatles. A "one off" open tuning song for them...Bravo Sam! The mistake the others make is not understanding that the 1st string NEEDS to be in your tuning (i.e. a C#); otherwise, you find yourself having to mute the first while you play the suspended note on the 2nd string (which is too awkward). Very Cool to be able to play this one correctly! That second chord in the chorus is just incredible and PERFECT sounding too....

[stuartpopp]

This was the biggest surprise to me on the new releases. It's in Bb yes, played much faster than I expected. I thought that couldn't right, now I'm used to it. On the final master release, even on the Past Masters, you can hear Paul's bass get some really low harmonics that always sounded really cool to me. This was very inventive of them to figure out to record this way to get the final mix they wanted to hear.

[jamesmonahanmusic]

Open tuning sounds are heard in many great songs. However, the use of Open G or Open D 🤔 remains a mystery .

[daviddockery]

yeah i’d say you’re right. that low note always stuck out to me and i knew it couldn’t just be the slowing of the track

[ronniechilds]

There's this Italian dude who makes YouTube videos breaking down Beatles guitar parts who had an interesting version of 'Rain'. He used 3 electric guitars, and one of them just plucked one string over and over, as a drone like in Indian music. It seemed to work.

[vicbertfartingclack]

This was great. If you want to hear other amazing guitar work, breakdowns and analysis of The Beatles guitar parts you should check out ... Sam Popkin, Mike Pachelli and Michael Sokil.

[-______-______-]

The one key element to this that you might be missing here, is tape speed.

[BillLarkinmusic]

I think you nailed it bro! ( at least for a one-guitar part sounding like more guitars in the mix )
What was your open tuning btw?

[nahnope]

Yea I thought it was common knowledge george was in an open tuning for this, with lennon in standard

[אסףיטבת]

According to the book, paul and john played guitar