Expert: Steve - 11/21/2006

Question
How did the Beatles produce the bird effect on "He Said, She Said"?

I'm sure it was through recording something and playing it backwords or through tracking in some way but I'd like to know.

Reason:  I am in a band and we're planning to play the song.

Thanks, Steve.

Sincere,

That Other Steve  

Answer
Heya Steve,
 I know of a couple things Lennon was doing during that time was numerous tape loops of guitar sounds, then placing them wherever he felt. I know he did this on "She Said, She Said" and "Tomorrow Never Knows", and he probably did some on things that were never released.
 The backward tracking is prevalent on "Tomorrow Never Knows", and to make some of the guitar sounds on "She Said.." he probably needed to use backward tracking.
 (That song was created because he had heard Peter Fonda saying that he 'knows what its like to be dead' - Fonda had accidently shot himself when he was younger. Lennon, Harrison and Neil Aspinall were all tripping on acid when they met him - Needless to say, John and George told poor Neil to keep Fonda away from them while they were tripping while they hung out with 'The Byrds' at a pool party - They didn't really care for the guy)
 I don't know if you tried this, but go out and buy an old tape recorder, some old cassette tapes, a new pair of scissors that cuts fine and some scotch tape. Record some guitar tracks in the key you're playing, then cut the cassette up and put it in backward. You'd be surprised how good it sounds. (In "Tomorrow..." I think Lennon just did a 'C' chord repeatedly, along with maybe the 'G' and 'E' thrown in for flavor).
 Steve, I wish you and your band the best of luck in perfecting the sound.