Mccartneys bass playing on Something - Wow!!

[shoulderpet]

Hi

After a long break from playing i have started playing again

One of the basslines I wanted to nail is Mccartneys bass playing on the song Something by The Beatles.
To try and learn the bass part I have been playing along with the isolated bass track and stopping and notating.
Ive got to say that anybody who ever thought his playing was overrated really needs to try and learn this part, I had to stop and have a break after about the 2 min mark it was wearing me out lol and just when you feel that your getting close to nailing the bass part he throws in a new syncopation,deliberately skips a note and just basically plays something completely unexpected, pure genius.
And to think George Harrison didn't like his part part on this song.

 

[Alkali Ike]

 

[yodedude2]

george was just pissed that paul nixed george's fills on 'hey jude'.

great bass line, it's iconic.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Maybe this will help you. It includes a PDF download of the full bassline.

McCartney’s Masterpiece: Bass on the Beatles’ Something by Rob Collier

 

[SirMjac28]

After awhile his basslines became so melodic they almost became songs themselves. Here's another link for you [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[esa372]

Every time I learn a McCartney bass line, I get schooled.

 

[Alkali Ike]

I suspect Harrison's attitude toward the bass track softened as he started receiving royalty checks for writing the song covered by so many other artists.

 

[Smoove-Groove]

Bass player magazine also transcribed and analyzed this line too.

 

[icarus-falling]

My wife is obsessed with the beatles and this song was actually used for our first dance at our wedding, long before I started to play bass, I'd never listened to the isolated bass line before though, indeed Wow! Thank you for reminding me of some great memories, but also a new project song to learn

 

[icarus-falling]

Bass player magazine also transcribed and analyzed this line too.

BTW, which edition of Bass Player Magazine; I'd like to hunt it down.

 

[Smoove-Groove]

BTW, which edition of Bass Player Magazine; I'd like to hunt it down.

It is in April 2006. Tom Hamilton on the cover

 

[BearCave]

I love ALL of McCartney's bass work....from the early to the later stuff. The bass line in "Something" is so much fun to play. It's just weaves a tapestry of bass goodness throughout the song that counters with the melody perfectly. "With A Little Help From My Friends", "Lovely Rita", "Getting Better", "Hey Bulldog", "Penny Lane", "All My Loving", "Dear Prudence".....I mean the list just keeps going on and on and is why McCartney is one of my most favorite bass players.

 

[shoulderpet]

this is a great article on maccas playing

Broken Down: 10 Must-Know Paul McCartney Bass Lines