argely a self-taught musician, McCartney's approach was described by
musicologist Ian MacDonald as "by nature drawn to music's formal aspects
yet wholly untutored ... [he] produced technically 'finished' work
almost entirely by instinct, his harmonic judgement based mainly on
perfect pitch and an acute pair of ears ... [A] natural melodist—a
creator of tunes capable of existing apart from their harmony".[223]
McCartney commented, "I prefer to think of my approach to music as ...
rather like the primitive cave artists, who drew without training."[224]
—Lennon, Playboy magazine, January 1981
During McCartney's early years with the Beatles, he primarily used a Höfner 500/1 bass, though in 1965, he began sporadically using a Rickenbacker 4001S for recording. While typically using Vox amplifiers, by 1967 he had also begun using a Fender Bassman for amplification.[231] During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he used a Wal 5-String, which he said made him play more thick-sounding basslines,
in contrast to the much lighter Höfner, which inspired him to play more
sensitively, something he considers fundamental to his playing style.[227] He changed back to the Höfner around 1990 for that reason.[227] He uses Mesa Boogie bass amplifiers while performing live.[232]
MacDonald identified "She's a Woman" as the turning point when McCartney's bass playing began to evolve dramatically, and Beatles biographer Chris Ingham singled out Rubber Soul as the moment when McCartney's playing exhibited significant progress, particularly on "The Word".[233] Bacon and Morgan agreed, calling McCartney's groove on the track "a high point in pop bass playing and ... the first proof on a recording of his serious technical ability on the instrument."[234] MacDonald inferred the influence of James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour", American soul tracks from which McCartney absorbed elements and drew inspiration as he "delivered his most spontaneous bass-part to date".[235]
Bacon and Morgan described his bassline for the Beatles song "Rain" as "an astonishing piece of playing ... [McCartney] thinking in terms of both rhythm and 'lead bass' ... [choosing] the area of the neck ... he correctly perceives will give him clarity for melody without rendering his sound too thin for groove."[236] MacDonald considered the track the Beatles' best B-side, stating that its "clangorously saturated texture resonates around McCartney's [bassline]", which MacDonald described as "so inventive that it threatens to overwhelm the track". MacDonald also indicated the influence of Indian classical music in "exotic melismas in the bass part".[237] McCartney identified Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as containing his strongest and most inventive bass playing, particularly on "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".[238]
—McCartney, Guitar Player, July 1990
McCartney primarily flatpicks while playing acoustic guitar, though he also uses elements of fingerpicking.[239] Examples of his acoustic guitar playing on Beatles tracks include "Yesterday", "I'm Looking Through You", "Michelle", "Blackbird", "I Will", "Mother Nature's Son" and "Rocky Raccoon".[240]
McCartney singled out "Blackbird" as a personal favourite and described
his technique for the guitar part in the following way: "I got my own
little sort of cheating way of [fingerpicking] ... I'm actually sort of
pulling two strings at a time ... I was trying to emulate those folk players."[239] He employed a similar technique for "Jenny Wren".[241] He played an Epiphone Texan on many of his acoustic recordings, but also used a Martin D-28.[242]
—McCartney, Guitar Player, July 1990
McCartney played lead guitar on several Beatles recordings, including
what MacDonald described as a "fiercely angular slide guitar solo" on "Drive My Car", which McCartney played on an Epiphone Casino. McCartney said of the instrument, "if I had to pick one electric guitar it would be this."[244] He contributed what MacDonald described as "a startling guitar solo" on the Harrison composition "Taxman" and the "shrieking" guitar on "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Helter Skelter". MacDonald also praised McCartney's "coruscating pseudo-Indian" guitar solo on "Good Morning Good Morning".[245] McCartney also played lead guitar on "Another Girl".[246] While in Wings, McCartney tended to leave electric guitar work to other group members,[247] though he played most of the lead guitar on Band on the Run.[248] In 1990, when asked who his favourite guitar players were he included Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton and David Gilmour, stating, "but I still like Hendrix the best".[239] He has primarily used a Gibson Les Paul for electric work, particularly during live performances.[232]
Bass guitar
McCartney's skill as a bass player has been acknowledged by other bassists, including Sting, Dr. Dre, bassist Mike Elizondo, and Colin Moulding of XTC.[225] Best known for primarily using a plectrum or pick, McCartney occasionally plays fingerstyle.[226] He does not use slapping or muting techniques.[227] He was strongly influenced by Motown artists, in particular James Jamerson, who McCartney called a hero for his melodic style. He was also influenced by Brian Wilson, as he commented: "because he went to very unusual places".[228] Another favourite bassist of his is Stanley Clarke.[229]
"Paul is one of the most innovative bass players ... half the stuff
that's going on now is directly ripped off from his Beatles period ...
He's an egomaniac about everything else, but his bass playing he'd
always been a bit coy about."[230]
MacDonald identified "She's a Woman" as the turning point when McCartney's bass playing began to evolve dramatically, and Beatles biographer Chris Ingham singled out Rubber Soul as the moment when McCartney's playing exhibited significant progress, particularly on "The Word".[233] Bacon and Morgan agreed, calling McCartney's groove on the track "a high point in pop bass playing and ... the first proof on a recording of his serious technical ability on the instrument."[234] MacDonald inferred the influence of James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour", American soul tracks from which McCartney absorbed elements and drew inspiration as he "delivered his most spontaneous bass-part to date".[235]
Bacon and Morgan described his bassline for the Beatles song "Rain" as "an astonishing piece of playing ... [McCartney] thinking in terms of both rhythm and 'lead bass' ... [choosing] the area of the neck ... he correctly perceives will give him clarity for melody without rendering his sound too thin for groove."[236] MacDonald considered the track the Beatles' best B-side, stating that its "clangorously saturated texture resonates around McCartney's [bassline]", which MacDonald described as "so inventive that it threatens to overwhelm the track". MacDonald also indicated the influence of Indian classical music in "exotic melismas in the bass part".[237] McCartney identified Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as containing his strongest and most inventive bass playing, particularly on "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".[238]
Acoustic guitar
"If I couldn't have any other instrument, I would have to have an acoustic guitar."[239]
Electric guitar
"Linda was a big fan of my guitar playing, whereas I've got my
doubts. I think there are proper guitar players and then there are guys
like me who love playing it".[243]
McCartney playing a Gibson Les Paul in concert, 2009
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