The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night - Full Band Cover video free download

A Hard Day's Night Full Band Cover

Instruments Used:

Electric Guitar: Rickenbacker 360/12c63

Rhythm Guitar: Gibson J-160E

Bass Guitar: Hofner 500/12 '62 Reissue Violin Bass

Drums: Drums: Gretsch Catalina Club Classic

Piano: Garageband Steinway Grand

Bongos and Cowbell: Garageband

Do I have a lot to say about this one! This is the first time I recorded the bass line in to the computer, which allows for more punch and control compared to using the Vox AC15. I have held off playing this song for a few months mainly because there is a mysterious overdub right after the solo that sounds like a stringed instrument doubling the vocal line. The sound lacked the octave notes, so it couldn't be the Rickenbacker 12 string, and it did not have the sharp attack of a Gretsch, so I concluded the "mystery overdub" was Paul on bass. This technique of using two basslines was later employed on Every Little Thing.

There is much speculation about the opening chord, and I believe that this is the definitive way with the correct instruments. The first rhythm track of A Hard Day's Night featured George on his Rickenbacker, Paul on singing and playing bass, Ringo on drums, and John singing while playing an inaudible acoustic guitar. Later, John recorded his actual acoustic guitar part while double tracking his vocals, and George Martin added piano. Both guitars play an Fadd9 chord, the bass plays a "D" at the fifth fret, and Ringo hits the snare. However, these instruments do not give you the final sound of the original opening. Martin's piano is what creates the bulk of the sound, playing a G7sus4 chord low in the piano's registers. Listen for yourself and compare!

Also special in this cover is the use of slowing and speeding the solo piano and guitar. This authentic Beatle technique can be found nowhere else on Youtube! Like Harrison and Martin, the piano and guitar were recorded at half speed an octave lower than desired. Once sped up, they both create the unique sound that is found on the recorded version.

A great deal of time and attention to detail went into this cover, so I hope you enjoy!