<P> The Beatles recorded "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" several times during the sessions for their self - titled double album, also known as "the White Album". The recording sessions, which began in late May 1968, were characterised by a lack of cooperation among the four band members, and by what Lennon's bandmates regarded as the overly intrusive presence of his new romantic partner, Yoko Ono . In this atmosphere, Harrison had initially been reluctant to present his new compositions to the group . Take 1 on 25 July--the version later issued on Anthology 3--was a solo performance by Harrison, playing his Gibson J - 200 acoustic guitar, with an overdubbed harmonium part . </P> <P> Sessions on 16 August and 5 September produced full band recordings of the song . In the case of the 16 August version, an overdubbing session on 3 September marked the first time that the Beatles had used eight - track recording at EMI Studios . At the same session, Harrison overdubbed a backwards (or "backmasked") guitar solo, as he had done two years before on "I'm Only Sleeping", on the Revolver album, but he was not satisfied with the results . The Beatles then remade the basic track on 5 September--a session that marked Ringo Starr's return to the group after he had walked out on 22 August, upset at the unpleasant atmosphere . While Harrison led the band in welcoming back their drummer, by installing a large flower display all over Starr's drum kit, he continued to think that his bandmates were not giving their best to the song . </P> <P> On 6 September, during a ride from Surrey into London, Harrison asked Clapton to play guitar on the track . Clapton, who recognised Harrison's talent as a songwriter, and considered that his abilities had long been held back by Lennon and McCartney, was nevertheless reluctant to participate; he later recalled that his initial response was: "I can't do that . Nobody ever plays on Beatles records ." Harrison convinced him, and Clapton's lead guitar part, played on Harrison's Gibson Les Paul electric guitar "Lucy" (a recent gift from Clapton), was overdubbed that evening . Recalling the session in his 2007 autobiography, Clapton says that, while Lennon and McCartney were "fairly non-committal", he thought the track "sounded fantastic", adding: "I knew George was happy, because he listened to it over and over in the control room ." </P> <P> Harrison recalled that Clapton's presence also ensured that his bandmates "tr (ied) a bit harder" and "were all on their best behaviour". The Beatles carried out the remaining overdubs, which included an ascending piano motif, played by McCartney, over the introduction, Hammond organ by Harrison, and further percussion by Starr . McCartney also added a second bass part, played on his Fender Jazz Bass rather than on either of his preferred Hofner or Rickenbacker models . </P>

Who played guitar on the beatles while my guitar gently weeps