Paul McCartney style basslines

[That_Pink_Queen]

So, what do you all think of Paul McCartney's basslines...they're very melodic and pretty sweet methinks...What's the theory behind them? Are there any tricks I can steal to write my own basslines in that style?

[JimK]

A new McCartney transcription book supposedly came out this month-
Paul McCartney-Basmaster:Playing the Great Beatles Basslines-Tony Bacon & Morgan Gareth.

I think McCartney's bass playing owes a lot to his guitar/piano background...not a bad thing since his sense of melody was probably keener than most were 'bass as a 1st instrument' kinda guy.

[64jazzbass]

You need a good handle on Harmony as well as Melody. Learn your arpeggios inside and out as well as the scales. Slurs, octaves, chromatic tones, descending bass lines are all there beautifully. In "Hello Goodbye" he throws in a backwards "A" minor scale verbatim. He also will start a line on the 3rd or 5th rather than the root which is very cool. I never tire of learning his lines as each song presents a creative new challenge. Pay attention to the chords in the song and what McCartney does in relation to those chords. Have fun!

[bigtexashonk]

Movement, Melody and Countermelody. Anything but mindlessly riding the root or conversely jamming so many notes in that you can't even tell how the song goes.

[MysticMichael]

Agree with all of that. I try to take a similar approach myself...

I would just add: Try to think of each bassline you create as a separate but fully integrated element of the song. It should be so well-developed that it could stand on its own as a melody unto itself - yet one that provides an ideal counter-melody to the song's main melody.

Beyond that, it's a matter of having a good instinctual feel for the song, thinking outside of the box - and playing with great taste. No easy formulas there...

MM

[Alex E]

Paul has been my model since I started playing. His style fits in so well with Pop/rock, country, C.C. and even the older styles of music.

I do listen to others.... (and say 'wow'), but I always go back to attempting a McCartney style of playing. He's not the best as far as chops or even theory, the guy doesn't even know what book theory is, but I do think he is an almost unmatched 'giant' in the manner in which he plays the bass.

His innate talent is amazing. Listen to what he does in the context of 7th chords and the creativity he has in walking his patterns where some other bassists of the time would have stuck to the root notes.

Also, the guy can really play intricately with a pick. So cool how he can play so well with pick, fingers, or thumb. I'd be happy to play as well as he can with just my finger style.