A key instrument used in the recording of “Norwegian Wood” is going up for auction.
Guitarist George Harrison played an Indian sitar on the track, giving the tune’s signature riff a distinct twang.
However, Harrison later admitted he didn’t really know how to play the instrument.
“Beatles Anthologies” quotes Harrison as saying, “I hadn’t really figured out what to do with it. It was quite spontaneous.”
Soon enough, Harrison became enthralled with Indian music and culture.
He traveled to India the next year to learn the instrument from famed Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar, sparking Harrison’s life-long relationship with Indian music and Hinduism.
Harrison later gifted the “Norwegian Wood” sitar to a friend, and Nate D. Sanders Auctions is putting it up for auction on Sept. 28.
Bidding for the instrument will begin at $50,000.
Source: Agencies