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Beatles, The/Norwegian Wood Instrumentation

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Expert: Melissa Davis - 11/7/2008


Question
I'm wondering about the instrumentation of the Beatles' song Norwegian Wood. I noticed what is probably a string instrument throughout and can't identify where it comes from. It's possible that it comes from a synthesizer, but I'm thinking it also could be a sitar. Can you confirm either or tell me what it actually is? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Reta,

You're right - it is a sitar! George Harrison had become interested in the instrument during the filming of the movie, Help! when an Indian group performed in the restaurant scene. That was several months prior to the recording of Norwegian Wood. He had bought a fairly inexpensive sitar to just play around with and then when he met Ravi Shankar, the sitar master, he began to take lessons, eventually getting to be very good on it.

You can also hear another instrument in the background - a tabla, which is a droning percussion instrument.

Hope that clarifies things for you; write back if you need further information.

MDavis

P.S. There were no synthesizers at the time!

Beatles, The

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Melissa Davis

Expertise

I feel extremely comfortable with my ability to answer questions regarding The Beatles personally - backgrounds, family, education, and the genesis of the group from inception to the end. I do not feel that I have the expertise to answer extremely technical questions regarding equipment, other than to refer the questioner to other sources.

Experience

Besides having been the right age at the right time to live through and enjoy The Beatles, I have continued my interest in them, in their music, and their influence on 20th century - in everything from the obvious, music, to fashion, humor, film, politics, and the music industry. As a dedicated Anglophile, I have studied at the University of London as an undergraduate and traveled in the UK extensively - yes, walked across Abbey Road, visited Savile Row - all of it. Beyond that, I am a teacher and a writer with excellent writing, editing, and research skills.

Publications
The Copy Workshop advertising series Colorado Law Journal Various magazines

Education/Credentials
B.A. History & Political Science, M.A. English History, J.D.

Awards and Honors
Teacher of the Year, Archdiocese of Dallas (2000)

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