Ticket to Ride Guitar Lesson (Beatles)

Few guitars capture the essence of the pop and folk-rock sounds of the 60s as the Rickenbacker 12 string does. 

So today I want to share with you a classic example of this sound in action. You’ll learn a catchy tune that only uses 6 chords. Plus we’ll break down how you can use a technique called arpeggio picking to create memorable and melodic guitar parts.

So grab your guitar, tune-up, and let’s dive into this “Ticket to Ride” guitar lesson!

Who Wrote Ticket To Ride?

"Ticket to Ride" is a classic song by the British rock band The Beatles. It was primarily written by John Lennon, with some contributions from Paul McCartney. The song was released as a single on April 9, 1965, in the United Kingdom and on April 19, 1965, in the United States. It also appeared on their album Help! which was released in August 1965.

The song was recorded at EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) in London, England. It was produced by George Martin, who was the Beatles' longtime producer and collaborator.

"Ticket to Ride" was a commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. It marked a shift in the Beatles' sound, as it featured a more pronounced rhythm and a harder edge compared to some of their earlier songs.

"Ticket to Ride" is widely regarded as one of the Beatles' classic tracks. It has been covered by numerous artists over the years and has been included in various "best of" lists and compilations of the band's greatest hits. The song's innovative use of guitar feedback and its catchy melody have contributed to its lasting popularity.

What Kind of Guitar is used on Ticket To Ride?

On "Ticket to Ride", George Harrison played a 12-string Rickenbacker 360/12 electric guitar. This specific guitar model is known for its jangly sound. This guitar has six pairs of strings, rather than the standard six strings found on most guitars.

The Rickenbacker 360/12 is often associated with the pop and folk-rock sounds of the 1960s and was favored by George Harrison for its unique sound. It creates that bright and chiming guitar sound we all hear as a hallmark of the song "Ticket to Ride" and many other Beatles tracks from that era. Harrison's use of the Rickenbacker 12-string helped define the sound of the song and also played a significant role in many other Beatles songs as well.

Ticket To Ride Guitar Chords

To play “Ticket to Ride” on guitar you’ll need to know 6 chords. Those chords are A, Bm, E, F#m, D7, and G. 

Let’s take a look at how you could play each one of these shapes next.

A is played from the 5th string down like this:

Bm is played as a bar chord in the 2nd position like this:

E is played using all 6 strings like this:

F#m is the second of the 2 bar chords you’ll need to know. This chord is also played in 2nd position, however, this time we’ll use all 6 strings like this:

D7 has a slightly bluesier sound and is played from the 4th string down like this:

And finally, G I play like a standard 4 finger G chord however I remove my index finger and play it like this:

How do you play the intro to Ticket to Ride?

The iconic intro to "Ticket to Ride" by The Beatles is played on a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar by George Harrison. This guitar brand has a distinctive and memorable sound that plays a big part in the sound of the song. 

To play the intro guitar part, we are going to use a technique called arpeggio picking.

Arpeggio picking is a technique where you play the notes of a chord individually rather than strumming them together. Essentially, it involves picking or plucking the notes of a chord one at a time in a specific order, typically from the lowest (bass) note to the highest (treble) note. 

This technique has been the foundation for many famous guitar riffs. It’s a way of breaking up the chord to create a signature part.  

Here are 6 steps to get started with arpeggio picking:

• Step 1: Choose a chord: Start with a chord shape that you want to arpeggiate. This can be a basic open chord like C major, G major, or A minor, or it can be a more complex chord shape like a barre chord or a jazz chord.
• Step 2: Decide a simple arpeggio pattern: There are numerous arpeggio patterns you can use, depending on the style of music and the effect you want to achieve. Common patterns include playing the notes from lowest to highest (ascending), highest to lowest (descending), or in various other sequences.
• Step 3: With your picking hand (usually the right hand for right-handed guitarists and the left hand for left-handed guitarists), use your pick or fingers to pluck the individual strings of the chord according to your chosen arpeggio pattern.
• Step 4: Keep a consistent rhythm. You want to maintain a consistent and even rhythm while picking the notes. You can use a metronome to help you keep time.
• Step 5: Practice your accuracy. To achieve clarity in your arpeggios, practice controlling the dynamics (volume) of each note. You may want to emphasize the first note (often the root of the chord) and gradually decrease the volume as you move to higher notes.
• Step 6: Experiment and embellish: As you become comfortable with basic arpeggio picking, you can experiment with variations, such as adding hammer-ons, pull-offs, or slides between notes to create more interesting and expressive arpeggio sequences.

Arpeggio picking is a versatile technique and one you definitely want to develop as a guitarist. This technique can be done with a plectrum or fingerstyle. 

As I mentioned this technique has been the foundation for many classic solos, intros, outros, and as accompaniment to create a melodic and harmonically rich sound. 

Mastering arpeggio picking can seriously elevate your guitar-playing skills and allow you to create beautiful, melodic guitar parts.

Here is an example of arpeggio picking over an A chord:

Notice the use of notes outside of the A major triad as well. There are no rules. Be creative.

Conclusion:

To wrap it up, "Ticket to Ride" is a timeless classic in the musical legacy of The Beatles. Penned primarily by John Lennon with contributions from Paul McCartney, this song showcases the band's evolution and willingness to experiment with their sound. The use of a 12-string Rickenbacker guitar by George Harrison became a staple in many Beatles hit songs.  

Also, as a guitarist working hrough this song shows you not only how arpeggio-picking is a foundational guitar technique. But also how it's a gateway to crafting beautiful, melodic guitar parts. 

So, keep practicing, and for more Beatles-style guitar check out this While My Guitar Gently Weeps guitar lesson next!