Why Paul McCartney is a GENIUS bassist

[@ltgray2780]

"She's so Heavy". Paul crushes it.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

What makes Paul so good isn't his technique -- it's his ideas. A brilliant composer who composed brilliant bass parts. That puts him in a league of his own.

[@zesvo]

Lyrics, music, sings. Trifecta.

[@guyjerry]

I agree 100%. He is a master of melody, and when you apply that gift to the bass, the results are just magical

[@MarcoGoethe]

Beatles is the most overrated band ever

[@caddelworth]

Exactly, Nelson. Speaking as someone who was around when the Beatles first arrived on the scene, what set Paul apart from almost all other bass players - and what "caught the ear" of bass players at the time - was his ability to craft great riffs, or a great counterpoint, to a melody. As Nelson rightly says, this is almost certainly because he was a songwriter as well as "just" being a bass player. At the time (early 1960s), Paul was more-or-less the *only* guy doing these things in the "pop" world, though obviously jazz (with a small J!) bass players had been doing this for some time previously. We're all so used to hearing those "melodic" styles of bass lines nowadays that it's difficult to convey how much of a bombshell McCartney's stylings caused back then.

[@cuebj]

@@bendagostino2217 The plaudit was about PM as composer and bassist. Lennon was composer and, primarily, rhythm guitar

[@pumpichank]

Paul is one of the most influential bass players who redefined the role bass can play in a band.

[@carsonblakley5554]

lemme guess you also think tonewood is a thing

[@pumpichank]

@@carsonblakley5554 Gimme a P bass with flats every single day! That's all the tone I need. 🙂

[@sebg2086]

he didnt do much most of the times lol

[@_Ryan-M..]

@@sebg2086 😆

[@rubintuesday]

@@sebg2086🤓

[@fiscaldisco5234]

What I admire of Paul most is his freedom to do odd things just because they sound good. We analyze/justify them later as these genius movements (like playing the b7 of the chord and walking down to the root), but I doubt he ever thought of them like that. You can tell he's just a great listener for bass melodies and doesn't allow himself to be constrained by what the bass "should" do. I think Ringo is also under appreciated for the same habit of putting his musical instincts over his learned knowledge of what the expected role of his instrument is. As someone who's put a lot of time learning those roles, I struggle stepping out of it when it's called for but learning these bass lines are a great inspiration to think outside the box and give yourself permission to do something different.

[@MusicalRadiation]

Not only only a great player, but an incredible songwriter, who writes bass lines that are melodies on their own. You can easily recognize a Beatles song by hearing just a snippet of the bass!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@LuciensMusic]

Every part was a hook by itself,lol

[@marc-yv7cu]

Same bass genius with "The Wings" . Listen: Daytime nightime suffering, Another day, With a litle luck, goodnight tonight, Winter rose, Mamunia, Morse Moose and the grey, and many other !...

[@andreatock]

And awesome singer!!! His vocal range in the 60s and 70s was among the best, yet no one gave him credit for it.

[@zesvo]

@@andreatockyea,and " If I Fell" duo is a killer.

[@jlr8451]

I was the "Paul" in a Beatles band for many years and I learned SO much and got so much better during that time. His bass lines are wonderful and singing and playing many of them took intense practice. The bass on Something is a brilliant piece of music on its own while in songs like Paperback Writer, the bass drives the entire song. I think that Paul isn't given enough credit for his groove either. The bass on Baby You're a Rich Man is slinky.

[@sr60030]

white album Paul is just pure excitement to listen to. the Rick is there to steal the entire show

[@dodleblob]

Faul!

[@gkmacca1]

And to think George claimed to prefer Willie Weeks!

[@hardtohandleweddingbandent8653]

I was too! The Word, Drive my car, so much fun to play while singing.

[@raindrops21_9]

@@gkmacca1Lord! George had issues with Paul (obviously). He seemed very resentful. So sad that both George and John slagged Paul off so much especially once the group disbanded.

[@thereisnocontenthere]

Please tell me more about how Sir Paul McCartney of The Beatles is underrated

[@StevenTwoTwo]

As a bassist, he is underrated. People often talk about The Beatles, people often talk about the songwriting, they don't really talk about what a great rock bassist he was/is.

[@thekjpacino]

😂 tbf, he was talking about him as a bass player. although, i would argue he's not underrated in that regard as well.

[@shirtpants4203]

@@thekjpacinowhat bass nerd says he’s their hero?

[@StevenTwoTwo]

@@shirtpants4203 Me to be fair 😂 But not all that many people, considering how good some of his bass lines are, not even nearly enough recognition for his playing.

[@vecernicek2]

I've heard plenty people talk shit about instrumental abilities of all the Beatles. Used to live with a roommate who was a jazz bass player and when I mentioned Paul being one of my favorite bassist he pretty much laughed at me.

[@dunkelmonkey]

Paul McCartney is the reason why I fell in love with the bass, everything from Come Together to Something to She's So Heavy to Silly Love Songs... definitely a master of the instrument

[@devinebass]

😍😍😍

[@jesselindsey1613]

Paul is the best because he approaches his bass lines as a writer as much as a player. If you don't think of your bass lines as compositions, you're missing a huge opportunity.

[@Slydeil]

I've always loved McCartney's bass playing, so inventive and melodic and they are one of several things that lifted The Beatles away from any other band. And the fact he sang lead vocals and played these lines is phenomenal. He's certainly not underestimated by me. A truly great and gifted musician, multi- instrumental, vocalist, performer and songwriter

[@michaelgalietta5623]

When I play through a Paul/Beatles song..there is often a point where I say to myself..."Well isn't that a nice little surprise there". He is just amazing.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Almost EVERY Beatles song has "a nice little surprise there." Beyond amazing!

[@GeroLubovnik]

That hollow body Rick is insane. I WANT ONE. The bassline on "Something" is so amazing that I made my band put this tune in our rotation. Paul's variations within it are subtle and fun. George's solo is pretty neat as well. One of my favorite tunes.

[@devinebass]

Never too late to hunt a 4005 down!

[@jotcarey]

George hated Paul's bass line in Something and asked him to simplify it. Paul, being Paul, refused. Bass players love the Something bass line because they get to feel like a lead player for three minutes, but I hear it as a raised middle finger from Paul to George. I defy anyone to name a slow McCartney ballad where he plays a similarly complicated line. His go-to for his own slow ballads was playing roots almost exclusively. (See, e.g., Here, There, and Everywhere.)

[@jmartynuska]

In '81, I naievely bought a '69 Burgundy glo 4005 as the 1st owner...longer story. As I already had a 4001, i preferred it and the 4005 sat. Then life happened. Years later I started dragging out the old equipment to realize I had a unicorn! That fireflo is beautiful, happy to see it played - are the strings roundwound or flats? And no, the burgundy is not for sale 😁

[@braemtes23]

@@jotcarey Actually, Harrison griped to George Martin that the bass line was too busy and he didn't want to use it. Martin thought it was fantastic and asked George to take a tape of the song home that night and listen to it again. Harrison came in the next day and agreed that they should keep it. This was told in an interview by Martin himself. Paul often created his best bass lines for his bandmates. On the same album, he also composed an amazing bass line for Come Together. Try not to always assume that Paul is a bad actor in these scenarios. Paul was always there for George on songs like Taxman, WMGGW, I Me Mine, Here Comes the Sun and Something giving his best effort. Listen to the deconstructed version of Something and how beautiful George and Paul's harmonies were. Also, he probably had more time to create unique bass lines for his band mates songs than for his own songs because he had nothing else to do for that song. On his own songs he would be writing the song, singing lead, playing piano, playing bass, etc., so he had less time to focus on just bass.

[@natsterjam]

It's off the scale great sounding but for me personally it's almost as ugly as the solid body Rick. Looks ain't everything 😉

[@basyngwie]

I hold him as number 1. His bass lines strike a perfect balance of cool, fun and tasteful. And just as a bonus he's also the most influential musician and composer of all time in popular music. That some bass players (very few, but still) slags him off is beyond me.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

They misguidedly think it's only about technique. (Looking at you Davie504.)

[@MacTeee]

He is an absolutely phenomenal bassist...his phrasing and sense of melody are impeccable! His walking lines, no doubt created in the spirit of Bill Black and "the bloke who played on all of the Motown stuff", are exceptional as well. And we thought he was just another pretty face...

[@sebg2086]

phenomenal lol relax

[@artistaccount]

James Jamerson is the Motown bassist

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@@artistaccount During the 60s McCartney did not know his name.

[@gaizkasalazarrodriguez5054]

The bass On SOMETHING is pure ART!!!

[@BibotoMusic]

I can't believe he's underrated. He's easily in the top 10 greatest musicians of the last 100 years. I know this is a bass channel and most people here will fawn over Jaco etc. But I'll take an easily playable but immensely incredible melody over lightning fast tapping and slapping every day of the week.

[@jdc6681]

Such a great tribute to the master pop rock bassist/singer/songwriter of all time! His bass line in Taxman is brilliant, but you left out the bridge section ("If you drive a car I'll tax the street"). PM goes above and beyond what is expected while never getting in the way. That is a mark of his genius.

[@piscesman54]

Yes! And so difficult to play!

[@judebrad]

As a life-long beatles fan, I learned to play guitar and bass listening to Beatles records over and over again. Drove my dad crazy.

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

I've never had the impression that Paul is underrated. Pretty much everything he has done, musically, is rated highly. Anyone with an ear for bass can hear how his gift for melody and unique songs can easily hear how good he is.

[@eeeeyuke]

My favorite Paul bass line by far is Rain. So much groove. Almost a lead bass. Also, honorable mention, Baby You're a Rich Man.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Hundreds of incredible McCartney basslines during and after the Beatles.

[@cgonv]

I always say: Paul saw the preciousness that would be "Something" and thought, 'I'm going to make the best bassline of my life.' It's great to hear from someone else who thinks it's one of his best too. I can listen to the song almost just following the bass and get emotional. It seems like he never repeats anything, it's always different. If I'm not mistaken, with George's song, he even asked Paul not to embellish too much, but seeing what he did, there wasn't much choice

[@derekrakestraw4561]

Great video. It requires a part 2. Paul's bass genius runs way deep.

[@johndrx165]

Love Mr. McCartney! So melodic and never boring. Iconic, not under rated.

[@eivind105]

*Sir McCartney ;)

[@mojito6629]

Paul McCartney is the most important bassist in the world, more than any bassist especially the 'technical virtuoso' bassists, including who was ever been in your channel. Because how he contribute to a song/record/in a live situation, is the most important thing a bassist should ever do more than anything else. Everything, the play, the sound, and all. I think your channel should interview him as a very special edition video for your channel somehow, especially while he is still healthy now. I wish Paul McCartney will stay healthy for a long time but we know he's already very old now.

[@guybayo2002]

My all time favourite bass player, I always say that I learned how to be a good bass player from trying to learn Beatles bass lines, I can honestly go on and on for hours trying to explain all of the genius things he did, and I still won't be able to tell you all of it

[@devinebass]

🙌🏻🧡🔥

[@relevantbrother8964]

Critics fail to factor in that Paul's bass was the low end foundation providing the most solid structure for the band to pivot around. He knew when to provide space for the song to breathe and then bring the bass in and make the contrast sound even bigger or knew when to support the groove , play in front ,thicken the guitars or play melodic lines ,walking bass lines etc. Hey Bulldog is just a bass masterpiece that propels the instruments,drums and vocals.

[@mauriciovargas3913]

Perfect choice of a song to prove your point. 👌🏻

[@matthewwithanm]

The two of you are so great together! Love the positivity and good vibes ❤

[@devinebass]

Cheers, glad you're enjoying the content!! 🧡🧡🧡

[@satanicbudda]

So glad that you guys analyze his playing. He knows the details and how basslines should be beautifully arranged and presented! Thank you very much

[@adrian-px2pi]

Apart from the allknown fact that McCartney's Basslines and the whole Beatles compositions are unique, timeless and incredible, it is very lovely to hear how you both play these things on two basses! Very impressive and nice!

[@Taterwheel]

I think the bass part on Something is one of the most inventive bass parts in the history of recorded music. Every guitar player I ever discussed this with thought it was too busy. George himself said the same thing well after the release, but didn't feel comfortable enough to be insistent on simplifying it. Paul later confirmed that he recalls George having that opinion. I can see both sides, but it just so amazing to me. Beautiful melodies, very supportive despite the quantity of notes, very thought provoking, and so very personal and intimate as a true McCartney line. I still choke up every time I listen to it. Of course, it helps a LOT that the song is one of the greatest compositions ever. Sinatra called it the greatest love song ever written. An George's singing is gorgeous on it.

[@piscesman54]

Yes, George did say that, but then again, he was very picky about his songs. Paul turned a good song into a brilliant one with that bassline. And what would Taxman sound like without that insanely punchy bass riff? It drives the groove with such power that the guitars can afford to just play chords on beats 2 and 4 and it still rocks

[@jaman878]

I had Abbey Road for a while and I played it In my bedroom on a cheap stereo. One day I put it on my Dad’s high end system with the headphones on. I was listening to Something and for fun, I pushed one of function buttons (High cut? Low cut?). It isolated the bass track. My jaw hit my chest! I’m not a musician, but I was transfixed by Paul’s bass line for the song. Sure I had heard it along with the song many times before but hearing it isolated, brought out a whole other dimension to the song that I hadn’t appreciated before. It also made me realized what a spectacular musician Paul was/is. The story about George not appreciating Paul’s baseline reminds me of another story my Mom used to tell. She was always an artist, but she didn’t paint in oils and she decided to learn and she found a teacher she really liked and who pushed her into trying things that were challenging to improve her artistry. The teacher’s brother made the frames. That was the deal, he would teach you but his brother made the frames. She had just finished her magnum opus (to that point)’and the brother came over to frame the painting while she was out. My Dad let him in, he frames the painting and left. When my Mother came home and saw the painting , she was fit-to-be-tied. The frame was not at all her vision for the painting and she let her teacher know how angry she was. Finally he said to her, “You know, my brother is an artist too.” That stopped her in her tracks and she look at the painting in a different light. It wasn’t her vision for the painting, but she understood the need to respect the brother’s work. Over the years, the frame grew on her and it became a lesson for understanding someone else’s vision.

[@andrewpappas9311]

The Beatles were the very first band I got into when I first began learning guitar as a kid (started at age 10 and I’m 24 now) and they’re still one of my absolute favourite bands, George Harrison was my first major influences on guitar and Paul McCartney is one of my absolute favourite bassists (I started playing bass in high school, which was my main instrument in our school band) and a reason why I bought a Rickenbacker 4003S back in the summer of 2020. He’s also undoubtedly one of the greatest bass players of all time so I wouldn’t say he’s underrated in that regard, but I would say that the most underrated part of his playing is the way he composes his bass lines to fit the song. Absolutely bloody beautiful, love live Macca and The Beatles

[@kirajlerner]

One of Paul's gifts -- and there are so many, it's almost not fair to have granted them upon one dude! -- is his affinity for counterpoint. It shows up in so many places, both as a vocalist (e.g., "Help" -- the whole "Now.... these days are gone..." line beneath John's melody) and especially in his bass playing. He's so friggin' good at melodies that he hears a song's primary melody and his ears develop another that could be its own song but manages to *compliment* the original rather than overpowering it. George, who indeed did compose the extraordinary "Something," was said to have been concerned about Paul's work in the song, thinking it was too busy/showy. He might not have heard the benefit when initially recording. But as you all know much better than me (I am not a bass player), the song w/o the moving, melodic bass might feel slow and stodgy; kinda gloppy. (Sorry for using such technical musical terminology, lol.) The bass and Ringo's ever-tasteful drums keep things moving along without forcing the song to be overly complex, which would spoil its exquisite simplicity. And the vocal melody _is_ very simple--beautifully so, but simple, mostly within a range of six or so notes, and repeats often. (It's all the stronger for being so restrained.) As the melody and lyrics repeat, Paul keeps modifying the bass so it's never quite the same per verse. This offers the forward movement and background variety that keeps things new. You're asking me does this song grow? I *do* know--it does, thanks to Paul's genius bassline. The proof is in the pudding. It helped George develop "Something" from a lovely song to a classic.

[@vincentm4717]

The 2 of you playing chords on one bass and a bass line on the second bass sounded very musical. Bass can do alot!

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯 The instrument is capable of a great deal!

[@singlesideman]

How on earth is Paul McCartney's bass playing underrated? His bass lines were curriculum when I was at Berklee College of Music, and I wasn't even a bassist - we were taught his bass lines in our ear training classes. The man is supernaturally gifted musically.

[@anta40]

Not just a great bassist, but an excellent singer as well. Probably one of the earliest blueprints of "singing bassist".

[@MatheusFelizari]

Paul is such a legend! I only play bass because of him, a true master!

[@raindrops21_9]

The other lovely thing Pauly does is that he often changes up the bassline from verse to verse. So what he plays on verse one is slightly different to what he gives us on verse 2 or 3. Such a tricksy little genius!

[@michaeldubya]

It was 1964, in Dallas, my Mother had divorced my father. We were living in a duplex, Mawmaw next door. Mom call hurry kids out the back door. The Beatles were debuting on the Ed Sullivan Show. My love of the bass began. At 62, bought my Squire Jazz. Enjoying the journey. Now a member of the band at church. All thanks to Sir Paul.

[@MyJojomon]

Paul’s “Wings” bass lines are underrated. People only talk about his Beatle stuff.

[@joedecker3900]

It’s all great for different reasons

[@alexjames1146]

That'll because of JET.

[@joedecker3900]

@@alexjames1146 Jet? Nothing special about that one

[@Shalomitz]

Band on the Run and Wings at the Speed of Sound make me rejoice Pual learned the bass

[@sebastianolmedo7743]

My gosh Paul is my number one favorite bassist who got me into bass playing and musician the first place.I could listen to his bass lines and any of his records the whole day.He plays with such a warm and smooth tone despite whatever bass and gear he uses.His bass lines are also very fundamental and simple which is really what a baseline is supposed to be! Thanks for the video y’all!!👍

[@messmer777]

The bassline to Come Together alone is enough to establish his genius.

[@devinebass]

🔥🔥🔥

[@keithbutler2222]

I grew up hearing various K-tel covers of Beatles songs in the 70s. It's only when you get back to the originals that you hear how Paul's bass drives the band along and is so essential

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

Love Sir Paul McCartney-he was an absolutely HUGE influence on my playing.

[@ultramet]

One word..”Rain” who was even playing basslines like then back then. Great video giving respect to one of the best melodic bassists of all time. He also can play upright as well.

[@mattyates7821]

Obviously, Paul has so many great bass lines...tons. I would have loved to see "Rain" in this video. There's so many scrumptious, and tricky, bass licks in that song. Regardless, awesome video and homage to one of the greats of all time!!!!!!!!!

[@rolandrichards39]

Just amazing! The voicing Sir Paul uses is mind blowing 🤯 😅

[@kevbob]

While it’s nice to hear the recognition for the same batch of songs from his Beatle years, his genius didn’t stop there by any stretch. The grooves of Goodnight Tonight, Coming Up, Silly Live Songs, Let Me Roll it, Mrs Vanderbilt, My Brave Face my god you can go on and on and on.

[@bartoszwalkowiak6590]

Dont forget about i want you

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Yes! So many incredible basslines AFTER the Beatles!

[@kevbob]

@@BeatlesCentricUniverse seriously, it's a shame these retrospectives flog the same songs, even if they are brilliant, he still hasn't stopped putting out amazing stuff. The 'Egypt Station' album is filled with amazing bass work. And the bass in 'Now and Then' is sublime.

[@HarriedPedestrian]

Ikr. I wish people paid more attention to his work after the Beatles, much of which is absolutely brilliant. They don’t have to look far. His album Ram, for example, is Beatles level quality.

[@nigollllll]

Paul has been my bass teacher for years.The best. Love his playing

[@sandbiker]

Scott and Ian, you guys are great, and your videos are fun! Paul's playing is unreal, and he's such an awesome singer too.

[@peteyk9391]

One of my favorite bass lines was always Paperback Writer, but I still loved your choices. As a singing bassist, I always found Beatles songs so difficult. What many people don’t realize is how difficult it is to sing and play McCartney stuff. Thanks again for a great video!

[@randyr.6856]

Thanks for this dive into some of Macca's genius. BTW, legend has it that Harrison objected to the busy bass line on "Something," but somehow it stuck, and we're all thrilled that it did.

[@herbstcasting]

Came here to say just that. It’s so telling that Paul’s instincts were so strong that he actually made George’s (admittedly great) song even BETTER.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

@@herbstcasting Wow, GREAT comment!

[@patbrennan6572]

Your videos aren't long enough guys, I was playing along with you on my Yamaha six string Classical and had fun.

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

8:59 that’s my FAVOURITE part of being the bass player in the band. ULTIMATE POWER indeed!!! 😹⚡️💪

[@marksr12]

I remember our mom letting us play our Beatles records on our Motorola giant console thing before our dinner in the evenings...Priceless! The boys from across the pond started it all for me.

[@jamesreader8654]

Scott's Bass Lessons just always make me want to go and pick up my bass and start playing! Brilliant retrospective of one of my all time favourite bass players and musicians. Because Paul was so many other things I think sometimes we forget what an iconic bass player he was.

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@tomlewis4748]

I noticed what made PM different as a bassist first, in 'Nowhere Man'. His note choices were unique. 99.99% of bassists would never have been able to think of and play that countermelody, which greatly improves the song overall. Most bassists would have just played root notes and chord notes (yawn), and not a 'walking bass' countermelody. But it kind of makes sense. An artistic genius at that level really understands music at levels most of us never do, which is also why PM was as good a songwriter as ever lived. So him understanding that this unique countermelody would be as powerful as it is, fits. True artists also are willing to take risks, and playing that bass line that differently from what we would expect from anyone else is indeed a risk, bc it could disorient due to simply being 'different'. But he had the guts to make the artistic decision to take that risk, and it worked, beautifully. From that point on, now I was fully convinced we were dealing with a true artistic genius, and he's never failed to reach that bar, ever since.

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

Great comment!

[@RitchieCollins]

Paul McCartney is a genius musician, or a Maestro if you will, not just a bassist.

[@stevens.zavack5631]

Gentlemen: EXCELLENT TUTORIAL! I would like to add an observation: as an original BeatlePeople from 1964, and a musician from 1963, I grew up with The Beatles as my musical guides. Now, in all those years, I have never heard of anyone relating this simple fact: Paul McCartney has NEVER BEEN A SIDEMAN ON THE BASS! Unlike 99.999% of every bass player now and then (😉), he was a front-person in his first group, The QuarryMen/Beatles, as a guitar player, switching to bass when Stuart Sutcliffe left, and neither John nor George wanted the position. Hence, he developed his style of playing to fit his front-line position; he never had to adapt to what the band wanted or a band leader requested (or demanded). Thus, he played what he thought the song needed. His ears and musicianship was his genius!

[@rome8180]

Paul McCartney is my favorite bassist. And "Something" is my all-time favorite bass line. It's a masterpiece of counterpoint and subtle variation. It, and he, taught me that you can be melodic on bass without getting in the way. People often accused Paul of being too "busy." But busy is only bad if it's the wrong type of busy. I don't buy into "less is more." I think every song has a hypothetical "busy" bass line that would work for it. If the busy bass line you wrote isn't working, it's probably just not the right part. The reason Paul's lines work is that he often did the bass last. He would stay in the studio after the rest of the band had already left, listening to the song over and over and working out the perfect part. "Something" is played with a pick, btw. I'm not sure there are any Beatles bass lines that weren't. And yes, George Harrison wrote the song. But the bass line is all Paul's.

[@vecernicek2]

Paul's baselines are never too busy. He can still sing while playing his busiest bass lines, so.. He can play Goodnight tonight or Silly love songs bass lines while singing impeccably and phrasing independently.

[@alessandroarcuri209]

Actually, I've read on an interview, that on that very bassline he was afraid he overplayed! 😅 He acknowledged he was so much into the song (which is simply amazing) that he got a little carried away and when the recording was over he looked over at George, thinking he was going to complain. But he didn't! Because yeah, what Paul did is simply amazing! How can you gripe over a bassline like that?! 😅

[@vecernicek2]

@@alessandroarcuri209 George Martin or Harrison

[@alessandroarcuri209]

@@vecernicek2 maybe both, but Paul looked ad George Harrison, first 😅

[@benlanglois6786]

Spending an afternoon with you two would be absolutely incredible!

[@essjayaitch]

The fact that Paul started playing bass on an instrument that Stuart Sutcliffe wouldn't let him re-string for left handed playing says everything about his musical talent

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@akwilson1676]

And he's still very good at rhythm guitar. The guy is a beast.

[@niemann3942]

I can relate to that. I started noodling around on our bass player's bass when I was a keyboardist in a band ... and realized then that, although I'm mostly right-handed in my life, I was a left-handed bass player. It just felt more natural. So I started playing bass on an upside-down right-hand-strung bass guitar ... and still do to this day, decades later.

[@ocromiun]

Besides Paul McCartney being an amazing bass player and song writer. I have to say that I would really like to drink a beer or maybe 4 o 5 with Ian and Scott. These guys are so great to hear and they EXTRMELY enjoy what they are doing. Great video!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@AndersRomin]

I’ve always loved Paul’s bass lines, they are so melodic and memorable! On Something you did a little mistake on the last chords, it should be Eb G/D C. You can hear it clearly on the intro where the lead guitar plays the chromatic line Bb, B, C on top. Other than that, great video as always!

[@rockbadenuff]

I've always found it difficult to measure bassists like McCartney who is an amazing bassist, he truly had a knack for creating the perfect bass lines the songs required with other bassists like Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, or even John Entwistle. Their styles are meant for different purposes. Certainly, I've always thought of him as a master musician.

[@lobrazaman]

Great video!! ❤ By the way, George wrote ‘Something’, and was very against the “complicated” bass line that ended up in the album. He wanted instead a simple bass line, so the bass line here has nothing to do with George, its pure Paul

[@quizzicalsebag]

was absolutely wrong and envious of the fact that it is too memorable and attention catching lol

[@raindrops21_9]

actually, Paul intially played an even 'busier' bassline on Something and _that_ was the one the George vetoed. George was fine with the bassline that they ended up recording. And you're right in that it was 100% Paul's creation - as were all of his basslines.

[@king_supreme1102]

Well regardless, it’s probably his best bassline

[@alanbenatar1120]

@@raindrops21_9 George wrote and played the bass line on Oh Darling!

[@kijekuyo9494]

@@raindrops21_9 As far as everything I've heard over the years, this is correct.

[@MariaEduardaSilva-oh4dq]

such a joy seeing the two of you having fun just playing music, great video

[@jmarti03261]

Great video! Was hoping to see/hear the bass line in "I Want You (She's so heavy)! Great chemistry between the both of you! Cheers!

[@richardfairlamb9728]

Paul is just a genius full stop. He always serves the song in such a creative and inventive way.

[@CADMAN664]

Try playing Silly Love Songs and carrying the vocals...I'll wait...

[@funkyris]

Thats what i like so much playing the bass in a band. You can make boring ideas from your guitarist so much more interesting.

[@STSGuitar16]

Fwiw, Paul actually played the guitar solo on Taxman as well, and it is equally as cool and different to a normal guitar solo as his bass lines are from normal bass lines.

[@Deepphoenix]

I just finished a 3 month long project where I had to teach a school band how to play some of these songs for a school musical.Figuring out the bass was a revelation for all of us, wish this video had come out sooner!

[@warburgaby]

Macca is a genius, also as a bassist 😍

[@jaycianfrini77]

Rain is also another killer bass song. Love that one!

[@davidzakrajsek5983]

You guys nailed it and work well together breaking down classics! And I agree Paul is one of the most underrated bass players and I learned this years ago when I learned the song Something from the magazine “Guitar Players for the Practicing Musician”and realized his amazing talent and outside the box brilliance.

[@ozlion152]

I never thought he was underrated but I guess if someone is infinitely genius we can never fully appreciate it lol

[@gkurtenbach]

Fab video lads! Thank you!! First, where is this bass shop? Everyone needs to go there asap! Second, about the double note on the d octave in Taxman. Those doubles are really a McCartney thing and they do something magic to the groove and timing. I love using them in my own songs but man you got to be up on your chops to lay them done like Sir Paul. The bass line from "Hey Bulldog" is also so monumental! Also, I would love it if you would explain Paul's killer bass tone on Mrs. Vanderbilt.

[@devinebass]

The shop is Andy Baxter's place in Leeds!

[@ImpulseGenerator]

Ultimately not surprising, him being such a great melodicist and composer that he'd great bassist as well!

[@zigak.1902]

Bruh Paul was consistently ranked among top 5 the best bass players ever even surpassing Entwistle for some reason.

[@warren52nz]

SUBSCRIBED! I played bass for over 20 years on stage and grew up with the Beatles. A PERFECT channel for me!

[@justsomedude5727]

I always found Paul's basslines difficult to learn because they flow through the song and don't really repeat parts, Chris Squire and Jack Bruce are other good examples of this I think.

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯

[@CannibalWHORE22]

Used to think he was just an average player. But then I really listened to the bass lines and especially starting from Rubber Soul to the end of the Beatles. Those bass lines were so tasteful also added such depth to the songs, he definitely is a fantastic player.

[@alexmacleod3728]

You Guys should do a video about Bruce Thomas

[@pumpichank]

And Colin Moulding!

[@cmorgado2012]

Nowadays the words genius, greatest, most underrated, GOAT, etc., are tossed around with such ease..

[@Thomas_Qs_Torso]

I did not know Jacques Cousteau was a bassist. Huh, good to know.

[@humanseekingtruth6080]

This was wonderfully fun and extremely helpful, thank you both! I am always learning more and more about Paul’s basslines. 👏😁

[@_Ryan-M..]

It's the song, dummy. Yes, you've got chops for days, but does it groove? *_Paul:_* "Yes."

[@mikaelsnare]

I'm but a drummer, but I own two bass guitars, and when the bass player of my neighbors band is unavailable they ask me to fill in at practice. I knew Paul was great, but when we were gonna play Something and I really listened is when I GOT it!

[@devinebass]

🧡🧡🧡

[@TomPage51]

He was good but the guy that replaced him after his death in 1966 was even better

[@mattlawson714]

I love this video without having started it yet. Paul can do it all.

[@andrewj.browncomics7348]

I’ve always played Come Together a totally different way. Years ago my parents got me a book of tabs/sheet music for every Beatles song with all instruments, and the bass tab for Come Together there was two strums low E string tenth fret, one strum A string tenth fret, hammer on twelfth fret, one strum D string tenth fret, one strum A string twelfth. At this point I don’t know what the real way is, but that way is engrained into my brain

[@johncork9315]

Thank you guys Such a delightful video Very enjoyable 😊

[@TheJayson8899]

My favourite Paul basslines: -Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds -Fixing a Hole (The entire Pepper’s album) -Drive My Car -Norwegian Wood -The Word -Michelle -Come Together -Rain -And Your Bird Can Sing -Taxman Sure, his bass playing got more inventive and involved on Rubber Soul and onwards, but he still has some cool basslines early on too. The album Please Please Me has a few really good ones, the ripped off I Saw Her Standing There besides.

[@Wheelhouseprojects]

A study in bass economics with a splash of understated flash. Sir Paul I must have blown the minds of George and Geoff when laying down these tracks.

[@nodahlkai9610]

What some may not realize is, besides the fabulous bass line Paul also played the guitar solo. So, while George wrote the song Paul did a fantastic job of filling in certain parts. The guitar solo is amazing.

[@harrypalmer5452]

I saw a Rickenbacker 4005 in the LA Guitar Centre and I was genuinely speechless, it was the most beautiful I have ever seen

[@devinebass]

🤤🤤🤤

[@M5guitar1]

Paul also played drums on Dear Prudence. Another fav is the bass line on Here Comes the Sun with the time signature changes and triplets during the Sun, sun, sun here it comes...just great.

[@jackberrigan2293]

Paul was the reason I started playing bass. Also love the fact that rickenbackers are getting more time in the limelight. 4005 is a holy grail bass for sure

[@martinheath5947]

The bit that floors me is the ability to sing lead vocal at the same time

[@devinebass]

💯💯💯 it's a real skill being able to do those together

[@jovi-won16]

Paul is my favorite bassist and maybe songwriter and inspired me to start playing