Paul McCartney - Bassist

[jocoho]

Hi. The Beatles cover band that I play with will be guests on a radio program Friday morning to plug a concert celebrating Paul's 64th birthday. I will be asked about Paul as a bass player, his abilities, contributions, influences, place in bass playing history, etc. I would welcome any insights that any of you might be able to provide.

Thanks,
Joe

[BrandonBass]

Hes not really technically advanced, but hes a good songwriter. Wrote some simple but very catchy basslines. Especially the one form 'stand by me'. Im sure most ppl have heard of that 1

[BuffaloBass]

But as a kid in the late 60's , his basslines, even though they were "technically non-advanced" put a vex on me and cuased me to pick up the bass. Basslines like Come Together, for example. Sir Paul had a major influence on us "60's kids".

[GM60466]

Mention songs like Rain, Paperback Writer, Day Tripper, Day in a Life, Come Together, and Taxman.

GM

[burtonisalive]

Taxman was written by George Harrison, not Paul McCartney.

[Cureswhatailsye]

I'm not a sixties kid but I'd like to think i'm a big Beatles fan!

I'd go with something to do with how the Beatles brought the bass to the frontline through their production, and how his simple but often very well constructed basslines made his playing instantly recognisable.

Hope thats a bit of a help?

[bigtexashonk]

Paul "invented" the way rock bass is played even today. He was always a good bassist, but really bloomed during the Revolver/Sgt. Pepper records. Some of the best thought out and executed lyrical bass playing ever in my book.

I would rather hear well constructed and executed bass lines than technical prowess anyday.

[dougjwray]

Originally Posted by burtonisalive

Taxman was written by George Harrison, not Paul McCartney.

Not only that, but McCartney played the lead guitar solo on it!

[corinpills]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Hes not really technically advanced, but hes a good songwriter. Wrote some simple but very catchy basslines. Especially the one form 'stand by me'. Im sure most ppl have heard of that 1

It strikes me as possible that you don't know what you're talking about.

[JansenW]

Originally Posted by burtonisalive

Taxman was written by George Harrison, not Paul McCartney.

But Taxman has a bass line that rocks.

[dougjwray]

True, and the next time to hear it, listen to the guitar line that Paul overdubbed starting in the last verse-- it follows the bass line but goes up to the flat 9 on the last note. Cool little textural thing that ups the excitement. Yeah... he's a genius...

[krustyo07]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Hes not really technically advanced, but hes a good songwriter. Wrote some simple but very catchy basslines. Especially the one form 'stand by me'. Im sure most ppl have heard of that 1

Stand by Me (which is my favorite song to play by the way) isn't by the Beatles, its by Ben King.

John Lennon did a cover (that I'm listening to as I type this ironically), but that was all solo.

[Matthew Bryson]

Things that could be said about Paul McCartney:

Paul's bass lines are some of the most tasteful and effective lines ever played on a bass.

Paul played some of the catchiest hooks ever played on a bass.

Paul showed a great deal of diversity and versatility in his playing.

Paul always played the bass in a way that best served the song.

No matter what brand of bass guitar Paul played, he always coaxed a fantastic tone out his bass.

I think it's safe to say that Paul McCartney is thought of by many people as the greatest bass player ever.


Paul McCartney is not only a stand up guy and a fantastic musician, but he's a knight, a Beatle, and truly a living legend.


When I get stuck and I really want to come up with something great, I often think "what would Paul McCartney do?"


Yes, I like Paul a lot!

[svtb15]

"Oh Darlin" and "Something" .. 2 of my favorite mccartney bass lines.. oh "come together" classic

[Matthew Bryson]

One last thing - I would avoid making reference to anything about Paul's lines or the Beatles music in general being "simple" as others have suggested. No matter how you qualify it or spin it, it just doesn't sound complimentary.

Sure, compared to other genres, pop music is simple. But the Beatle are the greatest pop band ever. I would focus on that. Maybe replace "simple" with "tasteful" and some of those other comments would make more sense.

[Philbiker]

Anyone who thinks pop music is "simple" needs to write me a good memorable song with a strong hook. As memorable as "Ticket To Ride" or "Silly Love Songs" for example. Then you can tell me how "simple" it is.

[zack01]

Originally Posted by burtonisalive

Taxman was written by George Harrison, not Paul McCartney.

But it was Paul who did the great bassline and guitarr solo!!!

[padgettohio]

Originally Posted by Matthew Bryson

One last thing - I would avoid making reference to anything about Paul's lines or the Beatles music in general being "simple" as others have suggested. No matter how you qualify it or spin it, it just doesn't sound complimentary.

Sure, compared to other genres, pop music is simple. But the Beatle are the greatest pop band ever. I would focus on that. Maybe replace "simple" with "tasteful" and some of those other comments would make more sense.

I think the best way to put it would be that he never over-complicated the bassline. It was only what was necessary; and almost "perfect" for each song. I think that's probably what was meant by the term "simple"; not too much...not too little...just right.

[Charles_A]

One thing I've picked up in interviews I've read is that Paul was a little bit mischievous regarding bass lines, that is, he pushed for more bass than maybe George or John had in mind. One example is the classic "Something", which you might never have noticed, but it's just dripping with bass. He wrote and played some profound stuff, and bass just happened to be the instrument he played.

[ctbass]

Originally Posted by dougjwray

Not only that, but McCartney played the lead guitar solo on it!

I did not know that!!