stan.store/martinfinnmusic If you master scales, chords and arpeggios in a new and exciting way, you can download my finger guides by clicking the link above
When I was a young teenager and discovered the Beatles, my cousin and I listened to and learned many of their harmonies. I got to sing the McCartney parts. Not easy.... He really is a genius. His melodies, his basslines, his multi-instrumental talent, his unique take on chords, his lyrics.... He is amazing.
You're spot on here. All four members of the Beatles brought something vital to create the magic blend that made the best band to have ever existed. However, they definitely wouldn't have the legacy they do now without Paul's hard work, drive, ingenuity, understanding of their audience, and selflessness with his art (ie very little self-indulgence). He's done that ever since, as you've described here. I'm glad you mentioned the underrated "Pipes of Peace" - I always make a point of watching the video every Christmas, because of its positive message, based on a true story.
Je ne connais rien à la théorie de la musique. Mais cette magnifique vidéo m'aide à comprendre pourquoi je suis tombé amoureux des Beatles lorsque je les ai découverts à mon adolescence (je suis né en 1947). Leur musique ne ressemblait à aucune autre à cette époque et elle m'a immédiatement paru magique.
Merci pour le charmant commentaire. Je suis content que vous ayez obtenu quelque chose de ma vidéo. On dirait que vous êtes un vrai fan des gars de Liverpool. Fantastique. Restez à l'écoute pour en savoir plus ! Martine
Yeah, Paul mc Cartney was a big Maestro of Songwriting. He found so wonderfull melodies in his music. They 'going' from the ears direct to the heart. Bad Days/ Sad Days and happy Days..... Paul often has a Song for all. He's now 82 Years old and playing the Bass on stage. I wish, he play it still with 100... Keep Rockin ' 🎵🎸🥁🎙🎹
What's truly astounding is that Paul has written so many songs and music pieces with distinct melodies, odd chords that sound so good in their correct positions, and very memorable lyrics in such a short period of time! And there will undoubtedly be much more to come!
Nice analysis/homage, Martin. Paul is amazing at everything, and he is my favorite all-time singer/musician/songwriter/lyricist! A musical genius indeed, and, a great guy to boot!
To refer to Master Paul McCartney as a genius is a massive understatement. Mozart , Bach, Chopin, Beethoven and the like were all geniuses, but McCartney was a natural master whose eyes couldn't read music but his mind was far beyond anything the other masters could do. He became music because he was music.
What a wonderful and knowledgeable analysis. This is the best thing about Paul I‘ve seen and heard on RUclips in a long time. A big Dankeschön from Germany.
Thank you for articulating what I have been immersed in for 60 years. He is my model for composing, next to Beethoven, Bach and Mahler. I love the fact that he is such a natural genius, and you have given such excellent examples. The timeless names you mentioned brought tears to my eyes. Thank you again
I could make a case for you beinh a genius after seeing this. Amazing job, love how you really dive into the details like how he uses notes outside the chord and how it creates a beautiful kind of tension. This video is very insightful for songwriters like myself who always are tying to get a good melody.
Very nice deep dive/break down. It’s stuff. We already know in the back of our minds but you articulate it so well. Paul McCartney and the Beatles are definitely gift that keeps on giving. You sing very well yourself… a good voice is like an extra instrument. Your singing voice is a gift… I didn’t get that gift. Oh well. BTW, I have a piano in my house I don’t know how to make the left hand work.
Much appreciated. It is hard to find anything that the die hard fans don’t already know but I thought it was important to try to document properly this notion. :)
The bass part in “A Day In A Life” is Paul’s ode to Bach countermelody if there ever one. Both during the “I read the news” -a descending riff - and “woke up” - he’s playing what would be a horn/brass counter melody - which on the bass carries the ahhhhh like a cart, he really creates a framework that fits perfectly mixes and yet stands out. I find myself humming the bass part of that song when I listen to it. It’s as if the bass part is the paper material that the printed word that is being read from.
A truly EXCELLENT analysis of our present day Mozart! I’m 68 years old and have studied this man’s music since being a teenager. I love classical music and McCartney’s music is like classical music distilled down to its essence, in delicious, bite-sized and easily digestible chunks. I suppose that if I could ever ask him just one question it would be; “What music inspired you to come up with the piano for “Martha My Dear”? It’s such a uniquely wonderful style that only the genius of McCartney could imagine yet I’ve never heard him talk about it. I would think that George Martin might have remarked on that incredible piano invention, but if he ever did, I’ve never heard it. Of all of his masterpiece melodies (which are essentially ALL of them IMO), one that really stands out to me but never got the appreciation it was due, is a lesser known song of his; “Mary Had A Little Lamb”. I guess the lyrics kind of put people off, tossing it off as a children’s song, but the music and melody are pure McCartney. Anyhow, like I said, you’ve done an excellent job pointing out his remarkable ability to “tune in” to melodies that seem to be imprinted into the very fabric of the universe. One just can’t imagine his melodies being any other way. They are effortless and timeless. Donovan once said; “The Beatles were the most important thing to have happened to this planet… ever”. He was right. If McCartney is the Mozart of the Beatles then Lennon would be Beethoven, Harrison Tchaikovsky, and Ringo… well, RINGO!
@@markrymanowski719 I want to agree with you because McCartney is every bit as musical as Mozart. But I definitely appreciate your point. There are just too many infectious Mozart melodies to mention. Try this one on, it's a melodic beauty! "Symphony No. 40 in G minor"... that one should do the trick! With that being said, Beatles-4-Ever!
@epii1073 I've listened to Mozart. I didn't find much melody to remember. His Gloria stands out. I did with Beethoven. L.V.B did a bit of filching from Mozart. He took one bar and developed it. It's at the beginning of the final movement of his Waldstein piano sonata, the piece that woke me up to all things wonderful in classical music. Sorry to say, i'm not a Mozart fan. We had him pushed down our throats at school.
@@markrymanowski719 Who can argue with the melodies of Beethoven? He's awesome! All those guys knew their stuff back then. The Beatles will be studied long into the future just as those classical composers are studied today, I have no doubt about that. Great music can stand the test of time and the Beatles will be left standing long after so many popular artists today are forgotten.
At 72 I feel lucky to have grown up to the Beatles, eagerly awaiting their next release. You could always tell which ones were Paul's. Paperback Writer, Lady Madonna, etc. Incredible genius ! BTW, you sound very like him. Kudos.
Hi there! Thank you for the lovely comment. It's great to hear from a true original fan of The Beatles. It must have been really exciting waiting on the new albums. Thanks also for saying I sound like him. That is a real compliment.
Much appreciated. I really slaved over this one, trying to put in all of the reasons that I think he is a genius while making it accessible and concise!!
Just listen to Live and Let Die...he wrote it a DAY after reading the book...that's all the proof I need that he is a genius and absolutely the GOAT. No one even comes close.
I am just so grateful that the Beatles happened to my generation! I have been following them for over 70 years and still have seen no one to beat them!
I completely agree. I know people who are Beatles fans who never went to see him live, and I told them they should pay whatever they have to see a true genius. Is that you singing? You sound just like him!
This could be hours longer! LOVED every second! Well thought-out and succinctly presented, and with perfect accurate piano transcriptions of the various parts. For me, Lennon and McCartney are the greatest songwriters ever to live. GREAT video! I love all your Beatles-related videos. Subscribed weeks ago.
Thank you so much for the review! You know, I did have enough material for another hour for sure but I had to shrink it down. The second I uploaded it my brain went “Great. Now what about The Genius of John Lennon!!” 😂
At 7:05 you say bring up "Drive My Cars" Bass line, and says its from Revolver, its from Rubber Soul. Still an amazing video and I'm being nitpicky, just thought Id bring it up. Still a phenomenal analysis of Pauls ability for amazing songwriting and melody crafting.
You are so right and I have to say I didn't check that one but just assumed I was right. It just goes to show. I am glad for all of the comments of this kind because when it comes to nitpicky comments - I am one of those guys!!
Incredible video Paul truly is a legend of simplicity and depth. Will 100% check out your finger guides and more! Please keep making Beatles tutorials/overviews!!
I really appreciate that. Thank you! I didn’t really rate my voice until I started this channel. People are really kind. As for the video - I spent so long on this script so I’m delighted you like it. 🙏🙏
This was a lovely, well-articulated summary. I've long recognized Paul's superlative musical intuition, which I think is easy to take for granted/be dismissive of when one isn't as considerate of or sympathetic to the delicate mechanics of melody. What impresses me beyond his mere inventiveness, which seems near endless, is his ability for pastiche - imitating a whole manner of foreign/non-contemporaneous musical styles just for his own amusement and creative delight. This indicates something deep in his ability to integrate the form, and synthesize from its elements. I believe him to be the greatest melodist, if not composer, of the 20th century - and although people appreciate him perfectly well now, I think posterity will recognize this more clearly.
Thank you ! Now I begin to understand what moved me when I listened to the blue and the red album as a 14 year old in a recorder shop . It was bone chilling. This was really "something else".
Simply explained, perfectly demonstrated and of course, on point. Let’s not forget his overdriven vocal on “ I’ve got a feeling” which is outstanding. You have a pretty good voice yourself Martin with flickers of Paul’s tone. Subbed!
Gave me so many new insights and therefore even deeper appreciation for what makes Paul McCartney so extraordinary. I would love to follow your analysis of Paul Simon as well.
I absolutely share your appreciation of Paul's genius! The video and analyse is excellent. May I add that the 2nd chord in Honey Pie is not really Eb7, but an altered 5-6-chord with augmented 6 c# (German 6-chord, already used by Bach). Usually it resolves downwards to the dominant D7, but here it goes upwards to E7 which is the triple dominant (A7, D7 ->G)
You sound like a trainspotting anorak who complains that the tone of green on a particular operator's train wasn't correct because between 1937 and 1938, it was a shade lighter.
@@martinfinnpiano Oh man I used to upload lots of fun street performance covers on my old channel but got locked out of my old google account! I will try and get some videos on here :)
Wonderful video, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot! Another thing I think McCartney does incredibly well is matching stylistic touches in his melodies to the song subjects, like how "I've Just Seen A Face" almost seems to trip over itself, feeling really giddy and excited because of it. I've also seen many people criticize the lyrical quality of "Little Lamb Dragonfly" because a few measures have "la la la" as lyrics..... but the first line of the song is "I have no answer for you," so to me it's just expressing a feeling that CAN'T be expressed or rationalized!
You're spot on about Paul's ability to absorb the music around him. One source you didn't mention (few do) is his mother, who was Irish. The Irish musical tradition is melodically rich, often passed down from mother to child as she sings her child to sleep. No doubt Paul's brain was shaped by those Irish melodies from his earliest days.
One of the greatest composers who ever lived, who hasn't written a good song in 20 years. Everyone has their "vial period." He's also one of the most influential bass guitarists of all time.
Thank you so much for this insightful video. I am a Beatles fanatic and particularly love Paul. Your explanation and demonstrations of his genius was really different than I react to music but so important. I really enjoyed the comparison the Mozart. That is amazing when you think of it. You are a good teacher. From Northern BC Canada.
Nice video with some ideas to work on in my own. music, thank you! Also, you have a great voice. Your singing is much closer to McCartney's tone and texture than I can get...
Great video! I enjoyed it very much. I was hoping to hear your thoughts on For No One - the French horn is such a genius choice. It plays counterpoint towards the end and has such a triumphant sound and the lyrics are so sad and full of despair that it creates a feeling that you’re getting his and her perspectives at the same time. Very clever in my opinion.
hi, I used to watch the Beatles 1961/62 and even then it was obvious that Paul had a great voice, either on backing harmonies on songs by groups such as The Shirelles, high pitched rock songs like Little Richard, or melodies like, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" which i remember clearly. Fabulous time to be around. I wish they could have had a session with Buddy Holly, what a music match up that would have been. xx
In Blackbird in the “take these broken wings and learn to fly” part, on every second chord he strikes the open B string as well: on “broken” and “learn”. It happens every time, so it’s no accident, and it makes the chords at those points even more interesting.
One thing I think is overlooked with McCartney is how well his lyrics carry his melodies. They make them easy to sing. Not in the sense that anyone can sing a Paul McCartney song and sound just like Paul McCartney, but that the vocal sounds trace and define the melodies perfectly. There are lots of moments in John Lennon songs that are difficult to sing unless you're John Lennon. Think of how he sings "mask" in "I'm a Loser": "Beneath this *mask* I am wearing a frown." It's hard to sing that naturally, unless, again, you happen to be John Lennon. Just about everything in Paul's songs just... flows.
Yes, you’re right. I suppose the question is not very original - like making the case that water is wet for those in the know. 😂 I wanted something solid online though to prove what we know to the unbelievers!!
Another skill that Paul possesses is arranging. It was pointed out by a peer of yours how amazing it is that the final chorus in Penny Lane goes up in key, while all proceeding changes are down. Check it out.
Thank you for this! I am just learning music theory, and it's wonderful to have it connected to songs I know so well. Also to have some light shone on why and how terrific these songs are.
Very clever and informed insights presented with great clarity. And perhaps some of the success of the Beatles has to do with the combination of John's horizontal and Paul's vertical melodies.
Thank you for this and your other fascinating and well explained videos on individual artist styles. I’ve been learning a lot! Would you consider doing one on Tom Waits?
Many thanks.. even though I know these songs like the proverbial back of my hand, and even though John is my 'favourite' Beatle [horizontal melodies!], you added to my appreciation of Paul's genius. The transformation of his baselines around the time of 'Revolver' was remarkable... why did that happen??
While there's so much to touch on and many examples, I always liked just the subtle opening melody of Got to Get You Into My Life. Somehow i would have just played a triad starting on the root note G, but he starts on the D and then leaps to the B, the third of the chord. He always seemed to have wider melodic lines and John had more static lines with motion at important times. Think a Hard Day's Night and then compare it to I'm Looking Through You especially the "why tell me why did you not treat me right.....nasty habit of disappearing etc etc" I'm not saying it's not as good, just a contrast. These things seem effortless from McCartney! I always thought the idea of Miss Rigby picking up rice is a sad moment because everyone else has moved on to the reception and the party and the new married life ahead, and no one notices the clean up crew ever really. She's just that much alone. No one pays her any mind despite her helping keep things clean, she's just taken for granted. Sad!
That’s a really wonderful breakdown of Paul McCartney’s genius. You actually helped me to understand it a little bit better and gave me some insight into my own playing. For that I thank you!
You make a strong case Martin. I always had the sense that Paul at his best was just a little more sophisticated in his approach to songwriting. To put it another way, I think there are more John songs that Paul could of written than there were Paul songs that John was capable of writing. And I say this as a fan of Lennon.
I don't have the belief than any member of the beatles were capable of writing the other members songs. Maybe similar sounds and genres but they all wrote very personal lyrics and they had very different lyrical strategies
Sophisticated is a good word, but don’t confuse that with complexity. While I totally agree that John couldn’t have written most of Paul’s songs, pretty much no-one could have written many of John’s. Paul is an incredible magpie and has absorbed harmonic and melodic “moves” from thousands of songs in countless different styles. That, combined with his effortless melodies, makes him a songwriting machine! John was always less prolific, but the way he naturally heard timing and harmony leads to chordal and structural choices that don’t really have easy precedents, especially not in the basic rock ‘n’ roll that was what he liked to listen to. Thank god we don’t have to choose! The combo of their unique and complementary skills is why The Beatles are The Beatles.
@oscarallen8484 good points, I consider John to be a "primitive" artist much like the great primitive painters. Just because they're self-taught doesn't make their work any less beautiful. I often wonder if Harrison would have become the composer he evolved into if it hadn't been for the fact that he had two great teachers in John and Paul. Great songwriters are sponges absorbing everything they can.
No arguments about McCartney's genius, even if his lyrics don't always match the majesty of his melodies and elegant harmonic movement. My one quibble, as a jazz musician, is that there's nothing unusual about starting on a major tonic and immediately following with a ii V to the relative minor (as in Yesterday). Hundreds of jazz and Great American Songbook tunes do this, and it's more a testament to his absorption of that type of chord movement, probably though the influence of his father, an amateur pianist. The part that *is* a bit unusual is that the ii chord in a minor key would normally be a minor seventh flat five (aka half-diminished) chord, whereas he plays a regular ii minor 7, which has a brighter quality. This is actually a great example of using "mixed mode" (something the Beatles did quite a lot, without realizing it), borrowing the ii chord from D major while resolving to D minor.
When one is trying to come up with a melody (first of all) by improvised singing it is no wonder that when a voice can reach four octaves the melodies will tend to be more vertical. There will be practically no limits to create melodies with large distances between notes. This is one of the many reasons Paul McCartney is indeed a genius.
![Play a bass line from beginning to end [Praying For Time - George Michael]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RSqGx5h4sJM/mqdefault.jpg)
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If you master scales, chords and arpeggios in a new and exciting way, you can download my finger guides by clicking the link above
When I was a young teenager and discovered the Beatles, my cousin and I listened to and learned many of their harmonies. I got to sing the McCartney parts. Not easy.... He really is a genius. His melodies, his basslines, his multi-instrumental talent, his unique take on chords, his lyrics.... He is amazing.
When your bar is so low then you're impressed.
@@paulsawtell3991 Remain clueless 🙈
@@paulsawtell3991 Your opinion is far outnumbered by those who disagree with you.
@paulsawtell3991 trolls gotta troll
Your probably one of those that thinks it cooler to say George was the best Beatle 😂
Also the lyric in “She’s leaving home” stuns with its empathy for both the girl and her parents.
And he did this at the ripe old age of 24.
I did not want this to end. Wonderful insight into Paul’s genius.
Paul was born with a gift, and he pursued it to the fullest. 😊
I don't believe we're born with gifts, I think we develop them.
You're spot on here. All four members of the Beatles brought something vital to create the magic blend that made the best band to have ever existed. However, they definitely wouldn't have the legacy they do now without Paul's hard work, drive, ingenuity, understanding of their audience, and selflessness with his art (ie very little self-indulgence). He's done that ever since, as you've described here. I'm glad you mentioned the underrated "Pipes of Peace" - I always make a point of watching the video every Christmas, because of its positive message, based on a true story.
I’ll say this though, his solo career was pretty boring to me. There’s nothing there that blows my mind the way his Beatle songs did.
Je ne connais rien à la théorie de la musique. Mais cette magnifique vidéo m'aide à comprendre pourquoi je suis tombé amoureux des Beatles lorsque je les ai découverts à mon adolescence (je suis né en 1947). Leur musique ne ressemblait à aucune autre à cette époque et elle m'a immédiatement paru magique.
Merci pour le charmant commentaire. Je suis content que vous ayez obtenu quelque chose de ma vidéo. On dirait que vous êtes un vrai fan des gars de Liverpool. Fantastique. Restez à l'écoute pour en savoir plus ! Martine
Yeah, Paul mc Cartney was a big Maestro of Songwriting.
He found so wonderfull melodies in his music.
They 'going' from the ears direct to the heart.
Bad Days/ Sad Days and happy Days.....
Paul often has a Song for all.
He's now 82 Years old and playing the Bass on stage.
I wish, he play it still with 100...
Keep Rockin ' 🎵🎸🥁🎙🎹
Thank you for the lovely comment. I agree 100%. Yes, I hope we can hang on to him a while longer. :)
What's truly astounding is that Paul has written so many songs and music pieces with distinct melodies, odd chords that sound so good in their correct positions, and very memorable lyrics in such a short period of time! And there will undoubtedly be much more to come!
Nice analysis/homage, Martin. Paul is amazing at everything, and he is my favorite all-time singer/musician/songwriter/lyricist! A musical genius indeed, and, a great guy to boot!
Thank you for the support! I really put everything into this video. :)
To refer to Master Paul McCartney as a genius is a massive understatement. Mozart , Bach, Chopin, Beethoven and the like were all geniuses, but McCartney was a natural master whose eyes couldn't read music but his mind was far beyond anything the other masters could do. He became music because he was music.
I love Paul"s music..he is a genius.
What a wonderful and knowledgeable analysis. This is the best thing about Paul I‘ve seen and heard on RUclips in a long time. A big Dankeschön from Germany.
Thank you for articulating what I have been immersed in for 60 years. He is my model for composing, next to Beethoven, Bach and Mahler. I love the fact that he is such a natural genius, and you have given such excellent examples. The timeless names you mentioned brought tears to my eyes. Thank you again
Well said, sir. Couldn't agree more.
I could make a case for you beinh a genius after seeing this. Amazing job, love how you really dive into the details like how he uses notes outside the chord and how it creates a beautiful kind of tension. This video is very insightful for songwriters like myself who always are tying to get a good melody.
"For no one" came on the radio the other day. It was like an old friend wrapping me up. And he was 24ish when he wrote it? Amazing x
Stunning work from a 24 year old, isn't it?
It sure is!
Yes, a wonderful song. :)
When the Beatles split up none of them had reached 30, then think of what they left behind, it is mind boggling.
An excellent analysis of Paul and his brilliant musical gifts. Thanks for this wonderful clip. 😊👍❤️
An absolutely brilliant video. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the upload.
Greetings from Memphis, Tennessee!
Very nice deep dive/break down. It’s stuff. We already know in the back of our minds but you articulate it so well. Paul McCartney and the Beatles are definitely gift that keeps on giving.
You sing very well yourself… a good voice is like an extra instrument. Your singing voice is a gift… I didn’t get that gift. Oh well.
BTW, I have a piano in my house I don’t know how to make the left hand work.
Much appreciated. It is hard to find anything that the die hard fans don’t already know but I thought it was important to try to document properly this notion. :)
The bass part in “A Day In A Life” is Paul’s ode to Bach countermelody if there ever one. Both during the “I read the news” -a descending riff - and “woke up” - he’s playing what would be a horn/brass counter melody - which on the bass carries the ahhhhh like a cart, he really creates a framework that fits perfectly mixes and yet stands out. I find myself humming the bass part of that song when I listen to it. It’s as if the bass part is the paper material that the printed word that is being read from.
A truly EXCELLENT analysis of our present day Mozart! I’m 68 years old and have studied this man’s music since being a teenager. I love classical music and McCartney’s music is like classical music distilled down to its essence, in delicious, bite-sized and easily digestible chunks.
I suppose that if I could ever ask him just one question it would be; “What music inspired you to come up with the piano for “Martha My Dear”? It’s such a uniquely wonderful style that only the genius of McCartney could imagine yet I’ve never heard him talk about it. I would think that George Martin might have remarked on that incredible piano invention, but if he ever did, I’ve never heard it.
Of all of his masterpiece melodies (which are essentially ALL of them IMO), one that really stands out to me but never got the appreciation it was due, is a lesser known song of his; “Mary Had A Little Lamb”. I guess the lyrics kind of put people off, tossing it off as a children’s song, but the music and melody are pure McCartney.
Anyhow, like I said, you’ve done an excellent job pointing out his remarkable ability to “tune in” to melodies that seem to be imprinted into the very fabric of the universe. One just can’t imagine his melodies being any other way. They are effortless and timeless. Donovan once said; “The Beatles were the most important thing to have happened to this planet… ever”. He was right. If McCartney is the Mozart of the Beatles then Lennon would be Beethoven, Harrison Tchaikovsky, and Ringo… well, RINGO!
You are joking.
Mozart is just a kid next to Paul.
Where are the tons of great melodies from Mozart?
Come on, show me!!!
@@markrymanowski719 I want to agree with you because McCartney is every bit as musical as Mozart. But I definitely appreciate your point. There are just too many infectious Mozart melodies to mention. Try this one on, it's a melodic beauty! "Symphony No. 40 in G minor"... that one should do the trick! With that being said, Beatles-4-Ever!
@epii1073
I've listened to Mozart.
I didn't find much melody to remember.
His Gloria stands out.
I did with Beethoven.
L.V.B did a bit of filching from Mozart. He took one bar and developed it. It's at the beginning of the final movement of his Waldstein piano sonata, the piece that woke me up to all things wonderful in classical music.
Sorry to say, i'm not a Mozart fan. We had him pushed down our throats at school.
@@markrymanowski719 Who can argue with the melodies of Beethoven? He's awesome! All those guys knew their stuff back then. The Beatles will be studied long into the future just as those classical composers are studied today, I have no doubt about that. Great music can stand the test of time and the Beatles will be left standing long after so many popular artists today are forgotten.
At 72 I feel lucky to have grown up to the Beatles, eagerly awaiting their next release. You could always tell which ones were Paul's. Paperback Writer, Lady Madonna, etc. Incredible genius ! BTW, you sound very like him. Kudos.
Hi there! Thank you for the lovely comment. It's great to hear from a true original fan of The Beatles. It must have been really exciting waiting on the new albums. Thanks also for saying I sound like him. That is a real compliment.
Thank you. It's so difficult to find a worthy tribute to such a genius as Paul McCartney. Your observations are enlightening and well communicated.
Much appreciated. I really slaved over this one, trying to put in all of the reasons that I think he is a genius while making it accessible and concise!!
Fantastic! Really fascinating to explore his genius and watch you demonstrate (effortlessly!) on piano at the same time. Thank you!
Just listen to Live and Let Die...he wrote it a DAY after reading the book...that's all the proof I need that he is a genius and absolutely the GOAT. No one even comes close.
I never knew that! Wow, it's amazing that he wrote it based on the text. So so cool. The absolute GOAT.
Agree 👍🏻
I am just so grateful that the Beatles happened to my generation! I have been following them for over 70 years and still have seen no one to beat them!
As a lifelong Macca appreciator, this was a splendid analysis. He really is great gift to the world.
I completely agree. I know people who are Beatles fans who never went to see him live, and I told them they should pay whatever they have to see a true genius. Is that you singing? You sound just like him!
Great. Keeping telling them. Spread the good word! Yes, all my vocals. Thank you. :)
I always tend to love people who love the BEATLES,
This could be hours longer! LOVED every second! Well thought-out and succinctly presented, and with perfect accurate piano transcriptions of the various parts. For me, Lennon and McCartney are the greatest songwriters ever to live. GREAT video! I love all your Beatles-related videos. Subscribed weeks ago.
Thank you so much for the review! You know, I did have enough material for another hour for sure but I had to shrink it down. The second I uploaded it my brain went “Great. Now what about The Genius of John Lennon!!” 😂
@martinfinnpiano Yes, more please!
You don’t have to convince me! I love making them. :)
dude you do such an incredible impression of paul's singing
Thank you very much! I love impersonating Paul. :)
A really nice analysis.
Thank you very much. I appreciate it. :)
At 7:05 you say bring up "Drive My Cars" Bass line, and says its from Revolver, its from Rubber Soul. Still an amazing video and I'm being nitpicky, just thought Id bring it up. Still a phenomenal analysis of Pauls ability for amazing songwriting and melody crafting.
You are so right and I have to say I didn't check that one but just assumed I was right. It just goes to show. I am glad for all of the comments of this kind because when it comes to nitpicky comments - I am one of those guys!!
Incredible video Paul truly is a legend of simplicity and depth. Will 100% check out your finger guides and more! Please keep making Beatles tutorials/overviews!!
Thank you. I appreciate all the support.
How many songwriters could offer up Blackbird & Helter Skelter on the same album? How many bands are that diverse?
An earlier example of this happened on June 14th, 1965 when he recorded "I've Just Seen A Face", "I'm Down" and "Yesterday" on the same day.
You’re right. Unreal, isn’t he?!
@martinfinnpiano His level of talent and drive are hard to fathom.
You have a great singing voice. And you describe McCartney's genius with great clarity. You take the thoughts from my own head. Thank you. :)
I really appreciate that. Thank you! I didn’t really rate my voice until I started this channel. People are really kind. As for the video - I spent so long on this script so I’m delighted you like it. 🙏🙏
McCartney-simply..the best 😎
Brilliant and enlightening, just like the subject matter.
The right person at the right time! Everything was at a climax musically in his time and he has what it takes! Thanks Paul.
This was a lovely, well-articulated summary. I've long recognized Paul's superlative musical intuition, which I think is easy to take for granted/be dismissive of when one isn't as considerate of or sympathetic to the delicate mechanics of melody. What impresses me beyond his mere inventiveness, which seems near endless, is his ability for pastiche - imitating a whole manner of foreign/non-contemporaneous musical styles just for his own amusement and creative delight. This indicates something deep in his ability to integrate the form, and synthesize from its elements. I believe him to be the greatest melodist, if not composer, of the 20th century - and although people appreciate him perfectly well now, I think posterity will recognize this more clearly.
Thanks for putting words to what we all intuitively know!❤
Thank you ! Now I begin to understand what moved me when I listened to the blue and the red album as a 14 year old in a recorder shop . It was bone chilling. This was really "something else".
Yes, I can only imagine what it must have been like as a young person listening to the songs as they were released. Thank you for the comment.
Great assessment of a great talent. Thanks for your insight.
Simply explained, perfectly demonstrated and of course, on point. Let’s not forget his overdriven vocal on “ I’ve got a feeling” which is outstanding. You have a pretty good voice yourself Martin with flickers of Paul’s tone. Subbed!
Gave me so many new insights and therefore even deeper appreciation for what makes Paul McCartney so extraordinary. I would love to follow your analysis of Paul Simon as well.
Thank you! I'm delighted. You know, I may just do one on Paul Simon too. I love his music so much.
This was a fabulous look into paul and his capabilities. You, my friend, are unquestionably a genius. Thank you for making my day! 0:00
The Best! Im still buying his latest music 🎶 💕 🎶
I absolutely share your appreciation of Paul's genius! The video and analyse is excellent.
May I add that the 2nd chord in Honey Pie is not really Eb7, but an altered 5-6-chord with augmented 6 c# (German 6-chord, already used by Bach). Usually it resolves downwards to the dominant D7, but here it goes upwards to E7 which is the triple dominant (A7, D7 ->G)
You sound like a trainspotting anorak who complains that the tone of green on a particular operator's train wasn't correct because between 1937 and 1938, it was a shade lighter.
Incredibly in-depth and well done!🙌🏻🙌🏻🍎
Loving this tutorial Martin, thanks! What a great deep dive on the genius of Paul!
Thank you Peter! When are we going to see some videos from you?
@@martinfinnpiano Oh man I used to upload lots of fun street performance covers on my old channel but got locked out of my old google account! I will try and get some videos on here :)
@@martinfinnpiano I did make a video about I Saw Her Standing There back in college ruclips.net/video/InEHrooEMX0/видео.html
Wonderful video, I really enjoyed it and learned a lot! Another thing I think McCartney does incredibly well is matching stylistic touches in his melodies to the song subjects, like how "I've Just Seen A Face" almost seems to trip over itself, feeling really giddy and excited because of it. I've also seen many people criticize the lyrical quality of "Little Lamb Dragonfly" because a few measures have "la la la" as lyrics..... but the first line of the song is "I have no answer for you," so to me it's just expressing a feeling that CAN'T be expressed or rationalized!
Wonderful analysis - thank you for your fine work highlighting McCartney’s genius.
Very entertaining sound essay from a knowledgeable McCartney admirer. You struck several chords of agreement with me. Well done.
Thank you very much. Glad to hear from a fellow Paul devotee. :)
Great video! McCartney's music only gets better with time.
You're spot on about Paul's ability to absorb the music around him. One source you didn't mention (few do) is his mother, who was Irish. The Irish musical tradition is melodically rich, often passed down from mother to child as she sings her child to sleep. No doubt Paul's brain was shaped by those Irish melodies from his earliest days.
Great comment.
You are so right. That had to have had a major influence on him. I have no excuse either as I am Irish myself. Born and bred in Cork, Ireland. :)
One of the greatest composers who ever lived, who hasn't written a good song in 20 years. Everyone has their "vial period." He's also one of the most influential bass guitarists of all time.
Yes, that’s true. He did eventually run out of golden eggs but he gave us enough of them I think! Yes, also to the bass playing.
This was great ! Thank you ! 👌
Thank you so much for this insightful video. I am a Beatles fanatic and particularly love Paul. Your explanation and demonstrations of his genius was really different than I react to music but so important. I really enjoyed the comparison the Mozart. That is amazing when you think of it. You are a good teacher. From Northern BC Canada.
Thankyou! I appreciate your work. 🎹 🎶 🎵
Great video. Thanks
Thank you!
Nice video with some ideas to work on in my own. music, thank you! Also, you have a great voice. Your singing is much closer to McCartney's tone and texture than I can get...
Thank you for that! I get that a lot. I am in the ballpark alright I think!
Nicely done, Martin.
Learned recently that Paul came up with and plays the haunting piano parts on Sexy Sadie. He truly elevated every song he's in.
Oh, that is such a great intro. Quite dark and mysterious when it comes in I think.
3:36 I had to pause your video to go watch this again .. even though I've watched it a hundred times :)
Yes! It’s the stand out moment of the whole thing for me. Pure genius!
Great job, enlightening. Don't mind the negative comments. It takes lots of work to put together intelligent content like this.
Thank you. That is very validating.
Great overview analysis and I agree with you: Paul McCartney is a musical genius.
Great video! I enjoyed it very much. I was hoping to hear your thoughts on For No One - the French horn is such a genius choice. It plays counterpoint towards the end and has such a triumphant sound and the lyrics are so sad and full of despair that it creates a feeling that you’re getting his and her perspectives at the same time. Very clever in my opinion.
hi, I used to watch the Beatles 1961/62 and even then it was obvious that Paul had a great voice, either on backing harmonies on songs by groups such as The Shirelles, high pitched rock songs like Little Richard, or melodies like, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" which i remember clearly. Fabulous time to be around. I wish they could have had a session with Buddy Holly, what a music match up that would have been. xx
Wow! You’ve been really blessed to be able to say that. Cherish those memories.
Excellent rundown on a class act
Outstanding.
Thank you.
In Blackbird in the “take these broken wings and learn to fly” part, on every second chord he strikes the open B string as well: on “broken” and “learn”. It happens every time, so it’s no accident, and it makes the chords at those points even more interesting.
Okay, I’ll have to have another look but thanks for the contribution.
One thing I think is overlooked with McCartney is how well his lyrics carry his melodies. They make them easy to sing. Not in the sense that anyone can sing a Paul McCartney song and sound just like Paul McCartney, but that the vocal sounds trace and define the melodies perfectly. There are lots of moments in John Lennon songs that are difficult to sing unless you're John Lennon. Think of how he sings "mask" in "I'm a Loser": "Beneath this *mask* I am wearing a frown." It's hard to sing that naturally, unless, again, you happen to be John Lennon. Just about everything in Paul's songs just... flows.
Those were the days. Beautiful arrangement
Actually, Paul produced that one but didn't arrange it. Gorgeous song though.
Cool man! I needed a video to add fuel to my confirmation bias that Paul is a genius. No lies detected.
I had to make sure you were convinced!!
Fabulous!
Thank you!
great stuff. subscribed
Great video! Thank you
Thank you!
Pauls musical genius will bring joy to mankind forever.
I'm pretty sure this notion has been advanced before 😂, as you know, thank you for such thoughtful insight!
Yes, you’re right. I suppose the question is not very original - like making the case that water is wet for those in the know. 😂 I wanted something solid online though to prove what we know to the unbelievers!!
The Peter Jackson example blew me away. My mouth just dropped open. Also, Get Back was #1 the day I was born.
Thank you. That was great.
Another skill that Paul possesses is arranging. It was pointed out by a peer of yours how amazing it is that the final chorus in Penny Lane goes up in key, while all proceeding changes are down. Check it out.
Thank you for this! I am just learning music theory, and it's wonderful to have it connected to songs I know so well. Also to have some light shone on why and how terrific these songs are.
Very clever and informed insights presented with great clarity. And perhaps some of the success of the Beatles has to do with the combination of John's horizontal and Paul's vertical melodies.
I have just watched him over two nights in Manchester, and at 82, he still has it in bucketloads compared to many of his peers.
Wow, lucky you! You must really love him too!
Well done!!
Thank you for this and your other fascinating and well explained videos on individual artist styles. I’ve been learning a lot! Would you consider doing one on Tom Waits?
Many thanks.. even though I know these songs like the proverbial back of my hand, and even though John is my 'favourite' Beatle [horizontal melodies!], you added to my appreciation of Paul's genius. The transformation of his baselines around the time of 'Revolver' was remarkable... why did that happen??
Motown influence and the sound of the Rickenbacker
While there's so much to touch on and many examples, I always liked just the subtle opening melody of Got to Get You Into My Life. Somehow i would have just played a triad starting on the root note G, but he starts on the D and then leaps to the B, the third of the chord. He always seemed to have wider melodic lines and John had more static lines with motion at important times. Think a Hard Day's Night and then compare it to I'm Looking Through You especially the "why tell me why did you not treat me right.....nasty habit of disappearing etc etc" I'm not saying it's not as good, just a contrast. These things seem effortless from McCartney! I always thought the idea of Miss Rigby picking up rice is a sad moment because everyone else has moved on to the reception and the party and the new married life ahead, and no one notices the clean up crew ever really. She's just that much alone. No one pays her any mind despite her helping keep things clean, she's just taken for granted. Sad!
Nice video about your own genius, Paul! You changed your accent, but your singing gave it away 😊
How did you figure it out?! Darn it..
That’s a really wonderful breakdown of Paul McCartney’s genius. You actually helped me to understand it a little bit better and gave me some insight into my own playing. For that I thank you!
You make a strong case Martin. I always had the sense that Paul at his best was just a little more sophisticated in his approach to songwriting. To put it another way, I think there are more John songs that Paul could of written than there were Paul songs that John was capable of writing. And I say this as a fan of Lennon.
I don't have the belief than any member of the beatles were capable of writing the other members songs. Maybe similar sounds and genres but they all wrote very personal lyrics and they had very different lyrical strategies
Sophisticated is a good word, but don’t confuse that with complexity. While I totally agree that John couldn’t have written most of Paul’s songs, pretty much no-one could have written many of John’s.
Paul is an incredible magpie and has absorbed harmonic and melodic “moves” from thousands of songs in countless different styles. That, combined with his effortless melodies, makes him a songwriting machine!
John was always less prolific, but the way he naturally heard timing and harmony leads to chordal and structural choices that don’t really have easy precedents, especially not in the basic rock ‘n’ roll that was what he liked to listen to.
Thank god we don’t have to choose! The combo of their unique and complementary skills is why The Beatles are The Beatles.
@oscarallen8484 good points, I consider John to be a "primitive" artist much like the great primitive painters. Just because they're self-taught doesn't make their work any less beautiful. I often wonder if Harrison would have become the composer he evolved into if it hadn't been for the fact that he had two great teachers in John and Paul. Great songwriters are sponges absorbing everything they can.
I think John was better songwriter, his songs were more interesting and with better lyrics. Paul would have never wrote I Am The Walrus, for example
@silentvincent664 he wrote some great ones no doubt
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is probably the most hauntingly beautiful bass part.
This is true. Such a beautiful line.
Great insight to a genius.
No arguments about McCartney's genius, even if his lyrics don't always match the majesty of his melodies and elegant harmonic movement.
My one quibble, as a jazz musician, is that there's nothing unusual about starting on a major tonic and immediately following with a ii V to the relative minor (as in Yesterday). Hundreds of jazz and Great American Songbook tunes do this, and it's more a testament to his absorption of that type of chord movement, probably though the influence of his father, an amateur pianist. The part that *is* a bit unusual is that the ii chord in a minor key would normally be a minor seventh flat five (aka half-diminished) chord, whereas he plays a regular ii minor 7, which has a brighter quality. This is actually a great example of using "mixed mode" (something the Beatles did quite a lot, without realizing it), borrowing the ii chord from D major while resolving to D minor.
Thee greatest....no doubt about it.
Dissonance is a vastly underrated quality in music.
That's for sure. There's a distinct lack of it in modern music.
@
I think Beethoven used it to maximum effect, not only in his piano sonatas, but in the first two movements of the Eroica
I don't think many people have given more pleasure to more people than Paul McCartney. Possibly he is unsurpassed.
Amen to that. That's a great way of putting it.
Thankyou.
You're welcome
When one is trying to come up with a melody (first of all) by improvised singing it is no wonder that when a voice can reach four octaves the melodies will tend to be more vertical. There will be practically no limits to create melodies with large distances between notes. This is one of the many reasons Paul McCartney is indeed a genius.
Good point. He certainly has the range to make vertical melodies more natural to him. :)