Here Comes the Sun
by The Beatles
Difficulty Profile
Skill LevelOverall
IntermediateRhythm
IntermediateLead
IntermediateBass
IntermediateWhy "Here Comes the Sun" Works Harmonically
Beyond standard guitar tabs and chord charts, discover the exact music theory mechanics, modal interchange, and voice leading choices that give The Beatles's classic its unforgettable emotional power.
Capoed Open String Pedal Harmonics with Asymmetrical Indian Metric Cycles
Written in Eric Clapton's garden on an acoustic guitar with a capo at the 7th fret, "Here Comes the Sun" combines radiant open D-shape acoustic ring with irregular rhythmic cycles inspired by Indian classical music. The bridge cycles through 11/8, 4/4, and 7/8 measures, creating a buoyant sense of sunrise that defies standard pop predictability.
Harmonic Progression (Roman Numerals)
I - IV - V7 (shapes relative to Capo 7)Step-by-Step Movement
- •D (I): Radiant capoed tonic providing open string ring across the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings.
- •G (IV): Lyrical subdominant providing pastoral lift and warmth.
- •E7 (V/V) to A7 (V7): Secondary dominant walkup bringing chromatic G# tension leading into the dominant.
- •Bridge Cycle (F - C - G - D - A): Descending circle of fourths against shifting 11/8, 4/4, and 7/8 time signatures.
Voice Leading & Counterpoint
- ›The 7th fret capo shifts the resonant frequencies into a shimmering mandolin/harpsichord acoustic register.
- ›George Harrison leaves the open 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings ringing as acoustic drones while hammer-ons decorate the top melody.
- ›The bridge groups eighth notes in asymmetrical clusters (3+3+3+2 for 11/8), giving the repetition of "Sun, sun, sun" unstoppable momentum.
Fretboard Mechanics
Gibson J-200 with capo securely placed on fret 7. Master the pinky hammer-on on the 1st string while holding the open D chord grip. Keep the picking wrist supple and free-floating.
Use a high capo position to completely alter the sonic character of simple open chord shapes, and introduce an odd-meter rhythmic cycle in the bridge to elevate a folk progression into a timeless masterpiece.
The concert key scale of the song.
The scale shapes relative to the 7th fret capo.
The bright, joyful major mode foundation.
Open D, G, and A7 shapes relative to capo.
E7 acting as V/V leading into A7.
The foundational folk-pop cadence.
Musical Analysis
🎹 Key & Tonality
⏱️ Song Structure
💡 Understanding A Major:
A Major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Ionian with Folk Fingerpicking mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in A Major
A Major ScaleA Major Scale
Notes: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#Notes: A - B - C# - D - E - F# - G#
Application: The vocal melody and acoustic chord arpeggios relative to concert pitchApplication: The vocal melody and acoustic chord arpeggios relative to concert pitch
Interactive Fretboard Map
Chord Progressions & Movement
Main Progression
Joyful acoustic progression rooted in open D-shape folk fingerpicking
💡 Theory Insight:
The I-IV-V progression is the foundation of rock, blues, and countless other genres. The I chord (tonic) establishes home, IV (subdominant) creates movement, and V (dominant) builds tension that resolves back to I.
Chord Shapes In This Section:
D
G
A7
Harmonic Functions & Roles:
- D major chord provides the radiant tonic anchor through capoed resonance
- G major (IV) gives pastoral lift and uplifting energy
- Secondary dominant E7 introduces chromatic G# leading into A7
- The bridge introduces flat-side modal borrowing (F and C) for dramatic contrast
Key Techniques
Capoed Acoustic Fingerpicking
IntermediatePlucking bass notes with pick or thumb while fingers simultaneously fret melodic hammer-on and pull-off fills
Uses chords:
Progression:
Intro Riff
Technique Tips:
- •Use a high-quality capo with adjustable tension to prevent intonation sharpness
- •Practice the syncopated accents on the upbeat 'and' of beat 2
Odd-Meter Time Signature Shifts
AdvancedNavigating George Harrison's intricate bridge meter cycle through 11/8, 4/4, and 7/8 measures
Uses chords:
Progression:
Bridge (Sun, Sun, Sun)
Technique Tips:
- •Tap your foot on the primary pulses rather than counting individual eighth notes
- •Lock in with Ringo Starr's accented handclaps and snare rimshots
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of A Major. Switch instrument sounds (Acoustic Steel, Nylon, Clean Electric, Piano) and practice at your own tempo.
Intro Riff
Intro Acoustic Motif
The world-famous acoustic guitar opening featuring ringing D-shape arpeggios and high E string melodic fills.
- •Fret standard open D chord shape with capo on fret 7
- •Execute the high E hammer-on/pull-off with the pinky cleanly
- •Let the open strings ring into one another for lush acoustic resonance
Verse
Verse Chord Motion
Gentle acoustic backing underneath George Harrison's warm lead vocals with moving bass notes.
- •Smooth dynamics supporting the vocal storytelling
- •Accentuate the bass note walkup from E to G# on the E7 chord
- •Keep the 16th-note strumming wrist loose and flexible
Bridge (Sun, Sun, Sun)
Bridge Polyrhythmic Stabs
The escalating rhythmic cycle repeating 'Sun, sun, sun, here it comes' with ascending Moog synthesizer fills.
- •Internalize the 11/8 meter as 3+3+3+2 eighth notes
- •Maintain strict pick attack on the downstrokes for percussive impact
- •Build dynamic volume on each repetition leading into the triumphant chorus
Outro
Outro Arpeggio Cadence
Return to the signature intro motif, gradually slowing tempo into a peaceful, chime-like final D major strum.
- •Delicate pick attack to let the harmonics chime clearly
- •Ritardando on the final measure
- •Allow the final open D chord to ring out until complete silence
Equipment & Tone Setup
🎸 Guitar
Recommended Model:
Pickup Type:
Natural microphone capture (Neumann KM56 or U67 small/large diaphragm condenser)
⚡ Amplifier & Settings
Recommended Amp:
Tone Stack Dial-In:
Gain: 3/10
Treble: 7/10
Middle: 5/10
Bass: 4/10
Presence: 8/10
🎛️ Effects Pedals
Overdrive / Distortion:
None - pure uncompressed acoustic tone
Reverb / Delay:
Abbey Road Studio 2 natural room acoustics and EMT 140 plate reverb
Modulation / Other:
Kyser or Shubb Guitar Capo placed cleanly on 7th fret
Recommended Learning Path
Capo Placement & Basic Chord Shapes
⏱️ 1-2 weeks
- •Clamp capo on the 7th fret and verify all six strings are in tune
- •Practice switching between open D, G, and A7 chord shapes relative to the capo
- •Play the basic verse progression at 90 BPM with steady eighth-note downstrokes
Master the Intro Riff & Melodic Embellishments
⏱️ 2-3 weeks
- •Isolate the pinky hammer-on and pull-off on the 1st string while holding the D chord
- •Practice the string-skipping arpeggios that connect D to G
- •Bring the intro up to full album tempo of 129 BPM with swing feel
Odd-Meter Bridge Synchronization
⏱️ 3-4 weeks
- •Subdivide the 11/8 and 7/8 measures in the bridge into rhythmic sub-pulses
- •Coordinate the syncopated chord stabs with the vocal phrasing
- •Perform the entire song seamlessly from memory with vocal accompaniment
Practice Notes & Routine
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- •Placing the capo too close to the fret wire causing string buzzing or sharp intonation
- •Muting the open high E string with the fretting hand while attempting the D chord hammer-ons
- •Losing count during the bridge's 11/8 meter changes
⏱️ Targeted Practice Routine
- •5 min: Tune guitar thoroughly with capo clamped on 7th fret
- •10 min: Slow repetition of the intro pinky hammer-on sequence at 80 BPM
- •15 min: Metronome drills on the bridge time signature transitions
- •10 min: Full run-through focusing on fluid acoustic dynamics and timing
🎯 Key Focus Areas
- •Capo 7 intonation and tuning stability
- •Independent pinky finger control for melodic hammer-ons
- •Polyrhythmic counting across the bridge meter shifts
⏱️ Metronome Drills
- •Set metronome to 80 BPM and practice the intro arpeggio in 4/4
- •Set metronome to eighth notes (258 BPM) to count the 11/8 bridge measures accurately
- •Gradually accelerate to full performance speed of 129 BPM