Go to bassmasters.co/ and get 50% off Mastering The Masters before midnight on August 18th! Practise writing your own "Something" bassline here: basscamp.com/something
ruclips.net/video/UDwk4bQQzSE/видео.html WRONG NOTE in the way down to C, right before the guitar solo!! Your midi track goes F-E-C, when in fact the song actually goes with a simple E-D-C.. wups!
There was also Paul’s tone which was never weak or thin! As a bass player for almost 50 years, I simply think you are the best! And for you to tackle Paul McCartney, tells me that although you are an excellent gymnast, what you appreciate most is the right notes at the right time. For that I have a new found respect for you!
Something I learned right off from the bass on this song was how to leave space for the vocal lines. While George is singing a run of syllables the bass mostly rings out a note or rests, then right after the last syllable of a line the bass plays a bit of melody, then rings again during the next run of syllables. The trick is to give the bass its own melody that fills in vocal rests without sounding like it's competing with the vocal.
I played lead guitar in a Beatles cover band, and one night while playing at a brew pub, we were playing "Something" and our bassist was killing it, playing the part perfectly. I was enjoying it so much, I almost missed my solo!
George failed to recognise how fortunate he was to have Paul to arrange, augment and add melodies to George’s songs. Paul’s contribution to While My Guitar Gently Weeps is huge. George had all those great tunes to play guitar on. Something borrows a lot from other Beatles songs and covers (A taste of honey). Great song, one of my favourites. Despite this, George became sullen and resentful.
I also recall an interview with George where he addressed how Paul was often self-centered but could also be incredibly generous. George cited Paul's playing on "Something" as an example.
"Something" not only features a great bass line, but they recorded the bass better than any other Beatles track except "Here Comes The Sun" which also sounds fantastic.
There's no such thing as "unnecessarily busy." A part either works or it doesn't. Also, when you start dissecting a ton of bass lines you realize this is pretty low on the "busy-ness" scale. Listen to anything Robert DeLeo plays. Or James Jamerson. Or John Paul Jones. They're all over the place. For some reason, people think that most bass lines are simple, and it's just not true.
This is such a great analysis! You mentioned a few times that Paul McCartney is following the cardinal rules of writing a bass part; actually, I think he helped write those rules. What an icon.
Paul also swells into notes on those octaves. And he almost never plays anything the same way twice. The song must have 500 subtle variations in dynamics, note choice, and rhythm. That's a big thing I've taken from it. I think when a lot of people play it they simplify or gloss over those variations.
Good points - if it had been today, some producer would have grabbed a verse and copy and pasted it into place. The variations would have been lost to the quantized computer software/
Whilst I appreaciate the degree if learning these types of video's impart, the fact is, back in the 60's and 70's we selected notes based on patterns we'd learned or evolved to ouselves and nost importantly, selected and stayed with the notes that pleased us. All intracacy was based on nice notes as determined to us, the player. And just like all ear players, MaCartney included, we never knew or really cared what the name of the note was. Been playing 55 years, know little of music but only ever lost one single audition iver that time. Deserved to as well as fingers were not rehearsed adequately to meet the speed required for that band. That was 40 years ago. Never failed an audition since.
Paul’s leading role in the Beatles, allowed him to put his bass lines, after all the other parts. Thus, his freedom of melodic expression was total and his genius deployed all his creativity, without having to lock on the only basic rhythmic role. Happy to see that for some time even young bassists or musicians claim the evidence of Macca’s unique talents in the history of popular music. Whether as a composer, bassist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, in short an unsurpassed totem (Stevie Wonder and Prince are not far away ...)
Paul McCartney is a genius, including as a bass player, as we see especially in this song which probably one of the pinnacle of his bass playing. And just like how it has been proven, this kind of bass playing, which ultimately aimed at supporting the song, is much more valuable and enjoyable (for me at least) than any high-technical circus-like look-at-me and alike, kind of bass playing style.
This is a great bass part, and only one of many equally brilliant Mccartney bas parts. "Hey Bulldog" is out of control, "Lovely Rita", "Getting Better", "Penny Lane"...pretty much all of the Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour stuff is iconic. The tone of the Rickenbacker 4001s with it's single coil "toaster" in the neck position (Where Paul kept it) is as good as bass tone gets.
I don’t think there is enough emphasis on how much Paul is getting in with Ringo. There’s a lot of discussion about Melanie and harmony, but not enough about the changes in rhythm which is the thing that really mixed. It’s such an unusual baseline. It’s almost like he’s doing a solo on top of the guitar solo simultaneously.
I tried to pay attention to this tutorial. It was difficult during the first couple of minutes; I kept being distracted by the sight of that hybrid precision bass over your right shoulder. Lucky I pulled myself away from that glorious image to pay closer attention to your breakdown of each part. That bridge section is one that I had never played like Paul did in 1969. Not that I will if I even play this song again in the future, not a likelihood in August 2024. Meanwhile, here’s a little trivia: that “I don’t want to leave her now” walk down is also something that Jimmy page harnessed in the writing of “Stairway to Heaven”. If ever I play this song on guitar of late, I try emulating Jimmy’s fingering instead of George’s.
Finaly!😊. When do You listem The Genius Chris Squire in The Gares.of Delirium, AWAKEN, On The Silente Wings of Freedom, etc..etc... To Genius , there are no such thing as Rules 😅
Hi Charles, I see you're using a piece of foam rubber to dampen the strings, but today I learned a "new" technique from Scott's Bass Lessons in their video about Aston Barrett, which is dampening the strings by touching them with your right hand pinky while playing with your other fingers!
McCartney is so melodic and plays to the song. I think often he would put the bass down at a later stage which probably helped play around everything else.
I believe that George said that he thought Paul’s bass playing was ‘over fussy’. Of course their relationship was not good by then but it softened over time. Thanks for the great work
One of these days, I'm going to learn this bassline. It's funny that I didn't notice until the end of the video that you have foam under the strings at the bridge.
Great breakdown. However, think using an instrumental backing track where the vocals are replaced with a lead guitar part is distracting and competes with your bass playing/demonstration.
I was under the impression that he sabotaged the song with his baseline in some manner.... I particularly don't hear anything wrong, and I'm not really big on internal drama of various bands. But it is an interesting question. I'll try and find a link to that discussion
I think you might be mixing up a couple of Beatles stories! This bassline is pretty dang beloved, but John Lennon has sometimes been accused of "sabotaging" the bassline that he played on "The Long and Winding Road." (Not something I believe, personally - the recording of that song was a bit of a jam session, and I think that Paul's best take just happened to be John's worst.) Anyway, you might be mixing that story with the fact that George Harrison initially complained that Paul's bass here was too busy. It's unclear if he was talking about THIS bassline, or a previous, possibly busier version of it. Regardless of which scenario is true, George has since spoken very fondly of Paul's contributions to his songs, even if he was still very eager to complain about Paul's personality lol
You miss the perfection on the imperfection of Paul´s basslines. You are far away from the sound, and the position, and the pick? It is not for fingers
Supposedly... George had to reign Paul in and force him to simplify.Anyway its beautifull and perfect... also ringo is kinda cheating. Doing those beautifull rolls in overdubs... Well they had 8 tracks for the first time and he ?actually replaced his tom heads for the first time.
Correction: At 3:36 point you called A C E #G a major 7th, it is an Am7th. #G is not in the C scale or A minor scale so it cannot be a Major 7th. The major 7th is A C E G. Minor point. 😂
It's already correct, Ammaj7 is an A minor chord with a Major 7th degree on top (Am + maj7). The Major 7th is intentional in context as a falling common tone note (A -> G# -> G) and of course, its a chromatic note.
You talk more than a journalist. I found other videos where they better explain the bass lines of the great George Harrison, and you realize that others explain in a simple way and others that are boring, as in your case.
ruclips.net/video/UDwk4bQQzSE/видео.html WRONG NOTE in the way down to C, right before the guitar solo!! Your midi track goes F-E-C, when in fact the song actually goes with a simple E-D-C.. wups!
Go to bassmasters.co/ and get 50% off Mastering The Masters before midnight on August 18th!
Practise writing your own "Something" bassline here: basscamp.com/something
Part 2 of classical thump and can't hold no grove?
I've always wanted one of those Model T bass that is hanging on your wall. Would you like to sell my friend?🤔😁
ruclips.net/video/UDwk4bQQzSE/видео.html
WRONG NOTE in the way down to C, right before the guitar solo!! Your midi track goes F-E-C, when in fact the song actually goes with a simple E-D-C..
wups!
There was also Paul’s tone which was never weak or thin! As a bass player for almost 50 years, I simply think you are the best! And for you to tackle Paul McCartney, tells me that although you are an excellent gymnast, what you appreciate most is the right notes at the right time. For that I have a new found respect for you!
Now do the genius of John Lenno's "Long and Winding Road" bassline
Haha! Good one!
🤣
Lol
Yeah!!!🎉
Or seriously George Harrison’s bass on Maxwell’s Silver Hammer
Something I learned right off from the bass on this song was how to leave space for the vocal lines. While George is singing a run of syllables the bass mostly rings out a note or rests, then right after the last syllable of a line the bass plays a bit of melody, then rings again during the next run of syllables. The trick is to give the bass its own melody that fills in vocal rests without sounding like it's competing with the vocal.
I play in church. That’s the rule. Add flourishes when they aren’t singing.
I played lead guitar in a Beatles cover band, and one night while playing at a brew pub, we were playing "Something" and our bassist was killing it, playing the part perfectly. I was enjoying it so much, I almost missed my solo!
What a nice comment. 🙂
George failed to recognise how fortunate he was to have Paul to arrange, augment and add melodies to George’s songs. Paul’s contribution to While My Guitar Gently Weeps is huge. George had all those great tunes to play guitar on. Something borrows a lot from other Beatles songs and covers (A taste of honey). Great song, one of my favourites. Despite this, George became sullen and resentful.
:pile_of_poo: :clown_face:
George has said in an interview that Paul always played really well on his songs. I'm sure he appreciated what he added to the song.
I also recall an interview with George where he addressed how Paul was often self-centered but could also be incredibly generous. George cited Paul's playing on "Something" as an example.
"Something" not only features a great bass line, but they recorded the bass better than any other Beatles track except "Here Comes The Sun" which also sounds fantastic.
Never has a part been so unnecessarily busy, and yet so absolutely perfect.
There's no such thing as "unnecessarily busy." A part either works or it doesn't.
Also, when you start dissecting a ton of bass lines you realize this is pretty low on the "busy-ness" scale. Listen to anything Robert DeLeo plays. Or James Jamerson. Or John Paul Jones. They're all over the place. For some reason, people think that most bass lines are simple, and it's just not true.
@@rome8180I agree that it's perfect
This is such a great analysis! You mentioned a few times that Paul McCartney is following the cardinal rules of writing a bass part; actually, I think he helped write those rules. What an icon.
Do I Want You that is my favorite beatles bassline (and favorite bassline ever)
Sir Paul is a hell of a melodist !
Paul also swells into notes on those octaves. And he almost never plays anything the same way twice. The song must have 500 subtle variations in dynamics, note choice, and rhythm. That's a big thing I've taken from it. I think when a lot of people play it they simplify or gloss over those variations.
Good points - if it had been today, some producer would have grabbed a verse and copy and pasted it into place. The variations would have been lost to the quantized computer software/
Whilst I appreaciate the degree if learning these types of video's impart, the fact is, back in the 60's and 70's we selected notes based on patterns we'd learned or evolved to ouselves and nost importantly, selected and stayed with the notes that pleased us. All intracacy was based on nice notes as determined to us, the player.
And just like all ear players, MaCartney included, we never knew or really cared what the name of the note was.
Been playing 55 years, know little of music but only ever lost one single audition iver that time. Deserved to as well as fingers were not rehearsed adequately to meet the speed required for that band. That was 40 years ago. Never failed an audition since.
Very interesting lesson, thanks Charles
I adapted how Paul McCartney play the bass, well he's basically my influence.. I love how he plays especially those fills..
Paul’s leading role in the Beatles, allowed him to put his bass lines, after all the other parts. Thus, his freedom of melodic expression was total and his genius deployed all his creativity, without having to lock on the only basic rhythmic role. Happy to see that for some time even young bassists or musicians claim the evidence of Macca’s unique talents in the history of popular music. Whether as a composer, bassist, singer, multi-instrumentalist, in short an unsurpassed totem (Stevie Wonder and Prince are not far away ...)
Paul McCartney is a genius, including as a bass player, as we see especially in this song which probably one of the pinnacle of his bass playing.
And just like how it has been proven, this kind of bass playing, which ultimately aimed at supporting the song, is much more valuable and enjoyable (for me at least) than any high-technical circus-like look-at-me and alike, kind of bass playing style.
There's a bass and drums only version on RUclips. Rhythm section masterpiece highlighting the incredible playing of Ringo!
3:50 And PM did also that parallel movement with the guitar at the end of that line.
This bass is simply wonderfully beautiful
This is a great bass part, and only one of many equally brilliant Mccartney bas parts.
"Hey Bulldog" is out of control, "Lovely Rita", "Getting Better", "Penny Lane"...pretty much all of the Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour stuff is iconic. The tone of the Rickenbacker 4001s with it's single coil "toaster" in the neck position (Where Paul kept it) is as good as bass tone gets.
Please make more of these videos!
The baseline to this and Rain are probably my two favourite Beatles basslines.
Not trying to induce a McCartney overdose but Shes So Heavy’s line would be a brilliant analysis video
And Penny Lane and Day in The Life and, and...haha
His favorite bassline is being for the bennefit of mister kite
That one is a banger!
Ce que fait Paul à la basse sur Something est merveilleux.
Thank you.
This is the most popular request when visitors first see my Yamaha BB in the den.
They always say play Something.
I don’t think there is enough emphasis on how much Paul is getting in with Ringo. There’s a lot of discussion about Melanie and harmony, but not enough about the changes in rhythm which is the thing that really mixed. It’s such an unusual baseline. It’s almost like he’s doing a solo on top of the guitar solo simultaneously.
I tried to pay attention to this tutorial. It was difficult during the first couple of minutes; I kept being distracted by the sight of that hybrid precision bass over your right shoulder. Lucky I pulled myself away from that glorious image to pay closer attention to your breakdown of each part. That bridge section is one that I had never played like Paul did in 1969. Not that I will if I even play this song again in the future, not a likelihood in August 2024. Meanwhile, here’s a little trivia: that “I don’t want to leave her now” walk down is also something that Jimmy page harnessed in the writing of “Stairway to Heaven”. If ever I play this song on guitar of late, I try emulating Jimmy’s fingering instead of George’s.
A big thumbs up! A boatload of great information here.
And Paul did all that most likely without a single clue about anything you’re talking about. Musical Genius.
Finaly!😊. When do You listem The Genius Chris Squire in The Gares.of Delirium, AWAKEN, On The Silente Wings of Freedom, etc..etc... To Genius , there are no such thing as Rules 😅
We don’t care about Squire. He piss me off.
You're awesome, man. I hope to achieve your level of understanding regarding bass guitar one
Hi Charles, I see you're using a piece of foam rubber to dampen the strings, but today I learned a "new" technique from Scott's Bass Lessons in their video about Aston Barrett, which is dampening the strings by touching them with your right hand pinky while playing with your other fingers!
Today I learned that Tony Levin used a diaper on Peter Gabriels "Don't give up" ruclips.net/video/SK6OY5t-XzE/видео.html
McCartney is so melodic and plays to the song. I think often he would put the bass down at a later stage which probably helped play around everything else.
Something It's one of the most beautiful Beatles songs
Really like the 'tech piece' muting foam....also; what is Ur typical action? Low,med???
I believe that George said that he thought Paul’s bass playing was ‘over fussy’.
Of course their relationship was not good by then but it softened over time.
Thanks for the great work
George probably a bit resentful that Paul was a better bass player than he was a guitarist
I love the bass intro to DIG A PONY!!
Another great video.
👏🏻🥈
Interesting use of a mute at the bridge end of your bass. McCartney mostly played the Hohner semi acoustic bass with flat wounds to get his tone.
One of these days, I'm going to learn this bassline.
It's funny that I didn't notice until the end of the video that you have foam under the strings at the bridge.
Best part of the song. Perfect counterpoint to the melody.
How did i not know this channel being a sub to charles main channel? Wtf
But also nice
Especially beatles content
Curious to hear your thoughts on Squarepusher/Tom Jenkinson
Any advice for what to use for the mute near the bass's bridge?
you mean besides foam/sponge?
Your hand
I was waiting exciting an other lesson 😊
Red bass on the right got three strings?
That bass with those strings is so bright the clank cannot be tamed by the foam lmao. gotta respect the signature bass plug at all costs
Tone can be as important as note choice. And that bass sounds way more metal than Beatles :( That said, it's always nice to hear the Beatles analyzed.
Flatwounds would be a start.
Yep hilarious, the foam didn't hide the unabashed plug at all. All about the money. 😂
👍
Great video
Thanks mate i got a lot out of that lesson
Great breakdown. However, think using an instrumental backing track where the vocals are replaced with a lead guitar part is distracting and competes with your bass playing/demonstration.
at some point, please, please talk about the incredible bass line on "Lady in Red" by Chris DeBurgh
Cool. Thanks professor CB
Paul is excellent bassist! 👍👍😎
Lovely Rita is incredible too
6:25 "Laundry Day" from Dr. Evil ripped off the Beatles!
IMO, it is the greatest bass line of all time.
This is awesome.
Is that a sponge that you have under your strings?
I don’t think there is a slide during the bridge. I think in the original recording McCartney just hits the 5th twice
Amazing!
Genial, y muy didáctico.
Probably McCartney 's greatest bass line.
I wanna hear you play a Rickenbacker mannnn
George didn't like the bass line Paul made for Something. He said it had "too many notes."
Great song
Paul couldn’t read music and didn’t really follow any rules or techniques. He just played what came to him.
Couldn't really hear your bass vs backing track.
I hear you talking about Paul McCartney but all I see is the bad on your left missing an E string.
The Beatles DIDN'T learn music theory that's why their music was so great. If they had been trained musicians they would have went nowhere.
Sheldon!!!
Love your stuff Charles, big fan but
Last two eighth notes of measure 27 are not right
Merci
Listening to this played on strings that aren't flats it just feels weird
George didn’t like the bass. He said “Paul went over the top”
The irony... George Harrison pushed back on Maca because he thought Paul's bass line was way too busy. 😏 😎🎸🎶
Well Paul is fantastic easy key show me the magic
Nice video. However, the lead guitar is louder than the bass you're playing. I'd prefer/ expect louder bass on a bass video.
If you're watching on a phone or TV you're never going to hear the bass very well. Through head phones and speakers this sounds fine.
Didn’t Paul use a pick on this song, like most every other song he played bass on?
Sweet ❤
THERES NO SECRETS! ONLY EARS
Now the same, but with a pick, and then you got it.
another very important aspect of his playing is palm-muting and a pick... and using flat wound strings.
Can hardly hear your bass playing on my phone over the voice melody of the song. It's too loud.
I was under the impression that he sabotaged the song with his baseline in some manner.... I particularly don't hear anything wrong, and I'm not really big on internal drama of various bands. But it is an interesting question. I'll try and find a link to that discussion
It may have something to do with Harrison bitching about Paul: « I wouldn’t joint a band with Paul as a bassist, he’s over empowering »
I think you might be mixing up a couple of Beatles stories! This bassline is pretty dang beloved, but John Lennon has sometimes been accused of "sabotaging" the bassline that he played on "The Long and Winding Road." (Not something I believe, personally - the recording of that song was a bit of a jam session, and I think that Paul's best take just happened to be John's worst.) Anyway, you might be mixing that story with the fact that George Harrison initially complained that Paul's bass here was too busy. It's unclear if he was talking about THIS bassline, or a previous, possibly busier version of it. Regardless of which scenario is true, George has since spoken very fondly of Paul's contributions to his songs, even if he was still very eager to complain about Paul's personality lol
bull-shit.
❤❤❤
👏🏻🥇
You miss the perfection on the imperfection of Paul´s basslines. You are far away from the sound, and the position, and the pick? It is not for fingers
Paul McCartney is playing ssab...
You lost me at major/minor seventh root chord passing note!
The back is too low in the mix
George wrote the tune btw
all very well but why have you put a car wash sponge over the bottom of the strings of your bass?!
can't hear the bass. quite funnny considering it's about exactly that
When are you going to visit Ellen Plays Bass?
Supposedly... George had to reign Paul in and force him to simplify.Anyway its beautifull and perfect... also ringo is kinda cheating. Doing those beautifull rolls in overdubs... Well they had 8 tracks for the first time and he ?actually replaced his tom heads for the first time.
Correction: At 3:36 point you called A C E #G a major 7th, it is an Am7th. #G is not in the C scale or A minor scale so it cannot be a Major 7th. The major 7th is A C E G. Minor point. 😂
It's already correct, Ammaj7 is an A minor chord with a Major 7th degree on top (Am + maj7). The Major 7th is intentional in context as a falling common tone note (A -> G# -> G) and of course, its a chromatic note.
"You may think the chords are going wrong, but they're not
I just wrote it like that" 😎
Ok but what is bass ok.
nice sponge🤣
You talk more than a journalist. I found other videos where they better explain the bass lines of the great George Harrison, and you realize that others explain in a simple way and others that are boring, as in your case.
ruclips.net/video/UDwk4bQQzSE/видео.html
WRONG NOTE in the way down to C, right before the guitar solo!! Your midi track goes F-E-C, when in fact the song actually goes with a simple E-D-C..
wups!