 Credit for the main sitar part on " Love You To " has traditionally been the subject of debate among commentators . While MacDonald says that , rather than Harrison , it was the sitarist from the AMC who played this part , Rodriguez writes that " others point to [ Harrison 's ] single @-@ minded diligence in mastering the instrument , as well as his study through private lessons , proximity to accomplished musicians , and close listening to pertinent records . " In his official history of the Beatles ' recording career , The Complete Beatles Recording Sessions , Lewisohn states : " George played the sitar but an outside musician , Anil Bhagwat , was recruited to play the tabla . " Musicologist Walter Everett also identifies Harrison as the main sitar player on the recording , as does Peter Lavezzoli , author of The Dawn of Indian Music in the West . Leng comments that , as on " Norwegian Wood " , Harrison " is still playing the sitar like a guitar player [ on the recording ] , using blues and rock ' n ' roll bends rather than the intensely intricate Indian equivalents " . 
