Something is one of the most celebrated ballads in rock history, and learning it rewards any player with a masterclass in melodic restraint, dynamic sensitivity, and harmonic sophistication packed into a compact three-minute form.

Written by George Harrison and released by The Beatles on the 1969 album Abbey Road, it was the first Harrison composition to appear as a Beatles A-side. The arrangement is lush but disciplined, featuring orchestral strings alongside the core band, with each instrument given clear space to breathe rather than compete.

The harmonic movement is unusually rich for a rock song of its era, shifting through unexpected chord changes that keep the ear continuously engaged. The form follows a verse-chorus structure, but the transitions feel organic rather than mechanical. A key moment to absorb before playing is the way the arrangement builds and then pulls back, creating emotional contrast through dynamics rather than through density.

When approaching this piece, focus first on understanding the song's shape at a macro level: where the tension builds, where it resolves, and where silence or space does the heavy lifting. Practice holding back at low-intensity sections and committing fully when the arrangement opens up. Listening to the full mix, not just one instrument, is essential preparation before lifting your own part.

• Artist: The Beatles
• Album: Abbey Road
• Year: 1969
• Songwriter: George Harrison
• Feel: Slow 4/4 ballad with orchestral arrangement and a harmonically adventurous chord palette
• Distinction: First Beatles A-side written by Harrison; widely covered by artists across multiple genres