How The Beatles Recorded Bass in 1967
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 เม.ย. 2019
- Video with Clay Blair from Boulevard Recording showing how Geoff Emerick recorded bass during The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band sessions.
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Music and recording played by: Clay Blair
Video and editing by: Scott Ditrich - เพลง
I read an interview where Paul was asked who his favorite bass player was and his answer was “Me. I think I can say that?” I always loved that answer
He was always a bit narcissistic
@@awubutfilmsab can u blame him? Man's perfect
@@armand2615 that's right
Yeah, he can say that.
@@awubutfilmsab - Gosh, is that your professional diagnosis?
Oh...wait...are you one of them internet goblins or gnomes or whatever they call them fellers that like to say stuff that gets folks all riled up?
What an ear this guy has for distinguishing the nuances of bass tones.
He is a master bass player himself.
I actually think Paul is one of the best bassists of all time. He's such a mammoth talent in every way, people sometimes forget to mention just how good a bassist his is.
Just in general one of the greatest musical talents who has ever graced the planet. Really tough to describe his, or the Beatles’ in general, impact, other than go to the most remote place on our planet.. tribal places where modern society had not really happened yet, and the people these WILL KNOW Beatles music and WILL want you to sing along with them.
James Jamerson , Carl Kaye and Geddy Lee are considered the best. John Entwhitsle of the Who was the first to bring the Rock bass out as a lead instrument.
It's all subjective. Quincy Jones thought Paul was a terrible bass player. But the final product asnd it's success are the final word. i had some Japanese basses from the 60's that had a foam arm mute that you could engage. Sounded alot like that, of course the pickups and general quality of the bass were terrible but someone at Teisco picked up on the fact that the muted sound was a "Feature". In my studio i'll sometimes mic the bass amp. I have a couple of the Fender White bassmans. If the guiutar players aren't using them the bass players will. I get more of them but Brian Setzer buys them all up. They're wonderful. Just a straight ahead amp. A bit under powered for bass but if the band isn't loud they're fine. Listen to James Jamerson. He had that sound to, never changed his strings unless they broke, played thru an Ampeg 30 watt fliptop. Played on 80% of the hits of the 60's.
Completely opinion, but Paul was a MUSICIAN and well-studied. Reason he could play so many instruments well. His attack of the bass was completely different to a traditional "bassist", which is what made his bass playing great, and the Beatles sound unique. Similar with Keith Moon of the drums in their completely different approach to their instrument. In terms of skillset on the bass? Not really "best" in my humble opinion, but a fantastic and wonderful bassist all the same.
Away from me try to diminish a great player (I’ve been working hard to be better at guitar), but Paul is such an amazing artist and songwriter, that his bass playing tends to be always seem as a tool to a greater talent, which is his music.
I miked a drum set like that, and when I was mixing, a drummer friend happened to stop by, and he had George Harrison with him. No lie. As they listened, the reactions were palpable. George loved the sound (it was on a drum kit) but I had no idea at that time that Geoff Emerick used a similar routine. On bass. Thank you for a very refreshing look at recording history!
Wow!!!! What a story!
Loved the Beatles bass guitar sound. Paul is an outstanding bass player.
Have you seen his playing style on the "I Am the Walrus" film? He just lays it out casual.
That Sgt.Pepper bass tone is stunning
McCartney was a master on the bass. One of the very best, such interesting bass lines which stood out without hogging the show.
have to agree... was too young to realize how good Paul was when I was a boy in '64, but by the time I was 15, WHAM, I heard things like "LET ME ROLL IT/HEART LIKE A WHEEL" and could not avoid hearing THAT BASS. From then on all I heard was Paul's bass. Keep in mind that I really disliked "WINGS."
Is.
Not bad for a guitar player! Lol.
I also find Paul's lines really interesting. Tracks like Rain are among my favorite bass tracks....
I also thought John Paul Jones played some really great lines. My two favorite mainstream bassists.
@@jerryc8978 I said the same thing. I mean, he is still alive and rockandrolling
@@bishlap There were good bass lines in some Wings songs.
Man. I was straight up lost in that song along with that bass groove. So good. Then all of a sudden, the volume dropped, you started talking again, and I realized my trip had come to an end.
I think Paul's muting with the palm was a direct result of listening to Carol Kaye's playing on Pet Sounds.
So good to hear a bass that sounds like a damn BASS. Well done!
McCartney is a fabulous bass player for several reasons. First are his wonderfully inventive bass lines, which are rhythmically and harmonically outstanding. Second is something very difficult that only the best bass players like Paul can do: not only invent great bass lines, but then sing lead vocals or harmonies while playing them. Third are his combined skills on bass, guitar, and piano, all of which he plays at a virtuoso level and are integrated together in anything he does. Fourth ---- he's a total musical genius!
I'm surprised I never noticed how busy Paul's bass parts could get. You never get the feeling he's overplaying on the records.
It's where you put it, right?
Yes he could get pretty busy at times but it always served the song. Rain and the end of She’s So Heavy come to mind
He was a guitar player 🤣
McCartney is a very tasteful player, you can get away with a lot of stuff if you're good, look at Jamerson's lines.
@@G8GT364CI In several interviews, Paul has said he was greatly influenced by Jamerson, although back in the early 60's he didn't know his name as Motown didn't credit individual musicians on their records. It was only when Marvin Gaye recorded What's Going On that James Jamerson got a credit on the record.
One of the best bass players ever, Sir Paul.
Yes Sir, Pauls playing slices across all Genres of music. His techniques are great in Jazz.
I'm an old Beatles fan from way back. Best band of all time and history will agree with me. Always loved he way Paul comes in on "Paperback Writer".
Before the marvelous Leland Sklar’s rapid single note entry in “Dr. My Eyes”, Paul McCartney and the Ox (John Entwhistle of The Who, for the young’uns) were bouncing those beautiful “buppada-buppadahs” into MANY a tune ... including Paperback Writer : ). Love those guys...
So true. Listening to them on headphones is just musical candy to your ears.
my brain changed when I listened to Revolver on LP with headphones. Holy Tone. Holy. Tone. Bass. Love it.
I use the Koss HV 1As - almost a religious experience !
That's a major point... so much is lost by the equipment we all normally use. You got to listen in an ideal situation. That must have been great!
Listen to Magical Mystery Tour with a good sound system. Some of Pauls' best bass work, in my opinion. The title track, Your Mother Should Know, Penny Lane, Baby You're A Rich Man, All You Need Is Love. Great tone on that record!
"Paul-muting" . Great video! Thanks!
He is not muting the rickenbacker has that thing in the strings has the foam you just need to unscrew and the foam come up
@@SoyaIvansOficial Oh yeah, I didn't know that? same with the 40003S JETGLO bass9(see how I put it in capitals to make the bass BIGGER) lol
That is funny!!!! 👍🤣
@@bonnerscott5374 if you play or have a rickenbacker have the foam in the bridge
@@bonnerscott5374 check my videos with my Beatles song am not muting with my palm the foam inside the rickenbacker does it
One of Jimmy Page's favorite sayings about studio mic technique is "distance creates depth." He was also fond of keeping mics at a good distance from an amp or drums to capture some ambience and a sense of roominess.
My favourite bass part of any Beatles song are the two notes either side of the first verse (i.e. notes 4 and 5 in the entire song) in "roll uuuuup" on Magical Mystery Tour. You listen and each note is accompanied by a very subtle click and echo which I absolutely love and can't get enough! I don't know why but it's something that's totally intrigued me since I was 15.
Really from Rubber Soul onward - you're listening to the bass.
after hearing abbey road for decades i came to realize what makes that album so great. paul`s bass playing and the tone they got when it was recorded all sounds magical.
For a lay person, what an absolute eyeopener. Alot went over my head, but what I did understand.....just great.
I find Pauls playing style very unique compared to how I learned to play bass, so it's always strange to hear his bass parts isolated, but he blends so well with the rest of the band.
His bass playing is something I always thought of how his lines just walk amongst the track and really bring a lot to it compared to what you may be hearing if not paying attention to his bass
He plays bass the "wrong" way by using his thumb and index finger pretty much as a fat pick and doing a lot of palm-muting. I think this is because he taught himself to play. I play bass exactly the same way because I also taught myself, so this may be a common way self-taught bassists play. I have tried playing the "right" way (finger method) and I simply don't like it nor do I get that thumping sound I love so much. I say "wrong" and "right" because there is NO wrong or right way to play bass, but some gatekeepers and elitist jerks will tell you otherwise. In fact, in the 60s it was common to play bass with a pick (which I occasionally do) before the finger and slap methods were commonly adopted.
@@James-eg3nf I didn’t mean so much his technique, or playing style, since that muted picking was common, though being left handed probably did have some impact on his unique sound. I mean that his rhythms were either unorthodox or straight quarter notes. Rhythmically kind of boring but melodically in outer space. His bass lines are so pleasing and intuitive but interesting at the same time. That’s what I meant by the isolated bass tracks sound weird, because I’d be playing something different, but with the whole band Paul’s bass clicks in like part of a jigsaw puzzle and the picture is completed.
@@James-eg3nf I'm pretty sure some players have been using their thumb like a paddle, along with palm muting, as a way to get that round, thumpy sound ever since the electric bass was invented. I'm self taught and do the same thing so you might be on to something though. I don't like much high end on bass either. I like bass to sound...bassy. Good tone comes from your hands, not eq knobs.
@@James-eg3nf Well, I learned to play "fingers-style" on a mid-60's Hofner 500s/1,, Violin bass like Pauls, only "righty"..Then I learned to play with a pick, as needed, for the sound..BTW, the Hofner is trashed. .needs extensive restoration work..May not be worth it, tho it is vintage..
Love this. I always loved the way the bass sounds on Beatles records. I't's interesting to hear how it was created. Love seeing your studio. I'm not a musician but it looks like it would be a place musicians would like to work in.
I’m a musician too and it’s just a warm room. Not intimidating, comfy like someone’s house. I really cherish that aspect of the room
The bass often comes through loud and clear even on the cheapest speakers.
That Boulevard Studio has a Beautiful Room. I work out of the biggest room in Central California (Maximus Media - Fresno) and I love Big Rooms. Harkens back to the Golden Era of Recording - The Romance of it all. Thank you for the video. It's fun and informative.
.And I thought it was all just great "Music"! Fascinating - from a non muso, Quite magic really - I acknowledge the depths of your skills and the music created all those years ago. Thank you.
Yes, he m0st certainly is!! Loads of talent in that gentleman!!
Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge on this and other recording techniques that may otherwise be lost arts. Keep on sharing.
I love this recording space. Souch a funky live room!
DI and ambient mic - blend the two into something beautiful. Indeed! That room blossomed with sound. The Beatles worked their magic and Emerick made it shine.
Yes, a great synergistic effort on all concerned!!
God, that acoustic guitar intro.. so spot on. The entire track is very well done. Hats off.
In the words of Michael Scott... "Why Don't You Explain This To Me Like I'm Five"
Love it. Interesting and very nice playing, too. Thank you!
Most awesome, man...great example of explaining the findings in your research, and then demonstrating it...thanks for posting this video, and hope you and yours are doing great!
Fantastic. I love all the little details of the Beatles music and how it was recorded. Thanks for the insight!
This is beyond awesome. Thank you for making this!
Interesting?very awsome?😅
Melodic and always tasty. Paul's bass playing was just brilliant.
Can't get enough of these videos. Thank you so much for doing this man!
Such gorgeous bass lines.
This is a perfect technique for me to learn about today. I was just listening to Queens of the Stone Age's "Era Vulgaris" again this week, which is a VERY roomy album. I specifically noted the roomy sound of the bass on "Suture Up Your Future", and I've started playing around with room sounds on my bass tones and in my mixes. It can be such an interesting characteristic. Learning about how the Beatles captured, in essence, a similar sound back in '67 really reinforces this idea.
Nothing more frustrating than trying to hear a bass part on my phone, lol!!! I will listen through real speakers later. :)
Sounds amazing through my blue tooth
Yeah, and im almost deaf! Had to turn phone volume almost to "max"..
@@samburkes7552 And I still could barely hear it
decent ear buds required...
LOL Maybe because cell phone speakers don't produce ANY BASS. bass is 2 notes below Middle c. 16 - 250 hz.
The minute you started playing I knew you nailed it. That's the sound. Excellent work.
So much great knowledge, experience and generosity shared here. Sent to my son who is a bass player. Keep- up the great work and sincere thanks.
Paul sound.....Rick!!! Chris Squire sound....Rick!!! Thanks Paul, Chris and Rickenbacker !!!
I'm a bassist, not an engineer, but I enjoyed this video and learned a little technique from it. Thanks!
Beautiful vintage style studio; I can appreciate the old school finishes and ambiance. Great and informative video; thank you for sharing.
Really enjoying these!! great stuff!!
Man, this is just so exciting to watch, as an "inspired amateur" player! It makes me love the Beatles, and love you, and love music, and want to play music... No, man, I'm NOT on drugs, unless music is a drug!
Thank you for reminding me that Paul is truly the greatest bass player ever!!!!
That was fantastic. Thanks for the clinic.
It's always great to see how things are done...
Thanks..
i always asked engineers for a touch of reverb on the bass and they always told me i was crazy but i make my own records now and often add a touch. thanks for this video also the chandler gear is porno
Carol Kaye?? She had chamber on her bass on a lot of records it’s a great sound if done right
I've always added a bit of the room reflection when I record bass, but just barely enough that you wouldn't even notice there's any reflection at all in the mix. It just adds a bit of depth that can't be replicated otherwise.
If anyone says theres no reverb on bass get a new engineer. Sometimes in songs when its just bass and guitar adding some verb to the bass and not the guitar adds a very nice effect. The guitar stays warm n crisp but theres a tiny bit of verb underneath being held up with the bass. You could also double the guitar channels but then that adds another element ...
@@tornadoalleystudios2283 If using 'verb and vibrato on bass was good enough for the late great Chris Squire, then it be good enough for me!! :D
Edit: Liked & subbed!
I have noticed reverb does more to a sound than add an ambience trail. It can affect the tone of an instrument not counting any trail.
Great Vid, I used to have a 64 Showman Head 85 watts of tube bliss! Your vids are spot on, great research , the right equiptment, and good ears...
John G. from Bklyn, N.Y.
They're great old workhorse tube amps...like a Twin Reverb, no spkrs..
Great information. Thankyou so much. I always loved the bass sound on the Sergeant Pepper album.
Sitting back, thoroughly enchanted and intrigued by your marvelous knowledge and performances. Great stuff, Clay. "Palm muting," of course. Reminds me of listening to "SPLHCB" for the first time back in 1967 to sounds unlike any 'ear candy' we had ever heard before. Amazing! THANK YOU!
Thanks for the info Clay! And great playing as well, sounding like Paul!
Apart from what I learned I just really enjoyed listening to that :)
Thanx for sharing your expert knowledge and mind-blowing Paul McCartney bass scales!!! Love it!!!
Thank you that was fabulous!
That was really fascinating. I would have liked to have heard the two tracks separately, though. Still a great video. Thanks Clay.
Commit to the sound... what an interesting concept. Bravo!
Yeah!
God I love that sound.
You get it perfect, with that beautiful little chirp/click from the pick when you palm mute. Thank you for this.
Thanks for this great video!
I don't know anything about Clay Blair, except that this video that I stumbled across makes it obvious that Clay has expert knowledge across multiple disciplines, aside from being a musician himself. Clay must have known what he wanted to do in life, from early childhood, and he stuck with it.
Thank you George that’s very kind
@@BoulevardRecording, you nailed it, man!
Flat wound strings make a LOT of that sound.
Hardly ever hear/see a Ric 4000 series with flatwounds one it
Yessir, Ray, correct. After hearing Squires sound with Yes, every bassist/wannabe jumped on the RotoSound roundwound string bandwagon!!
@@doitnowvideosyeah5841 Very true, indeed!! Even P-basses, J-basses, etc..
Joe Osbourne said he never changed the flat wound nylon strings on his Fretless Jazz Bass. He used a pick for the required transient effect; if he plucked without the pick one presumes the sound effect would be pretty dull. Listen to Simon and Garfunkel's "Save The Life Of My Child," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and of course The Carpenter's "Superstar." If that's not heavenly bass, pray tell what is? It didn't hurt having Roy Halee for a producer.
@@samburkes7552 Hardly anyone uses flats anymore.
Awesome video! Thanks for posting!
Beautiful content! Thanks for doing this.
I played bass from 1968 through 1970. I always dug Paul's tone and wondered how he got it. I managed to find an old Rickenbacker bass collecting dust in a loft in a tiny music store. It had one massive pickup with a cover that was actually two U-magnets. I generally turned the tone control way down. It was a one of a kind instrument, I have fond memories of that.
Roger Furer, that's a very collectible instrument. Double horseshoe pickup motif ended yrs ago. Prob a very rare 4000..or 4001. Hang with it!!
@@samburkes7552 Ah well, I sold it to a friend who was my bass player for a time. He let it fall and cracked off the head. He was trying to get it repaired in L.A. in the late 70s and I lost track after that. Hope whoever has it now appreciates the treasure.
@@rogerfurer2273 Man, that's just really too, too bad. Lots of times headstock repairs are never really the same afterwards..Sorry.
You realize that they also had someone play the bass parts on the lower keys of the piano. Bob Erin was producing the KISS record Destroyer and they were doing Detroit Rock City. Gene Simmons wasn't able to get the bass sound as deep and heavy as they wanted so Bob played the bass part on piano in the lower keys of the piano. Then as the piano was played back Gene played his bass over that part and it sounded hefty. Peter also got that huge drum sound by backing the mic up so it was right at the door of his room so it would echo. Anyways Bob said that is how Led Zeppelin and George Martin used to do things in the studio to get that HUGE sound.
brian wilson doubled many beach boys bass parts with tack piano...
m)
Great video, thanks for making.
Thanks for honoring one of the greats!
you're amazing dude!!!
You've nailed it. No doubt.
Thank you for this very interesting video! I must watch some more of your stuff. All the best from Finland!
Your friendly, yet fanatical attention to detail is commendable - to day the least!
Well, to morrow never knows. 😜
You nailed it man. I love that thump-y sound. Keep it simple and a little quirky. Makes for a more interesting recording. Combine with a imaginative Ringo beat and you can’t go wrong. Peace.
Made my virus free day here , ty Clay!
These videos just highlight for me .how the musicians the engineers the all.round behind the scenes and the artists etc all seemed to really try and capture something ..great musicianship. And a great time for music and recording
Really nailed the tone Clay! Appreciate the lesson.
I absolutely love these videos of the gear used by the Beatles. This is specially good. He nails it. The amp, mic, bass, the compressor...even the room looks similar. I'd love to see a video from the other side: Paul McCartney playing a cheapo bass, through a crappy amp, recording into a 50 buck interface into a DAW. I bet the sound will be even closer.
Those REDD EMI all tube mixing boards contributed a lot to the sound. It is also the way he played the bass.
The sound McCartney gets in the Pepper session sounds to me like the style of bass you get on Pet Sounds the year before. Loved listening to your bass playing through the Rick.
Fascinating, thanks so much... all that gear is just drool-worthy :)
Super interesting series of videos.. thanks man!!
Part of what made Paul's bass lines so great was his chord progressions. By going in and out of different keys he set up a great bass line. Even if he had just root 5th his way through a song it would be cool because of the chord progression.
George Martin no doubt was a great teacher for the lads and Paul was a very quick and talented study. and if the Beatles were not enough for Mr Martin along came the Moodies.
Most of this makes sense and is historically enlightening. I think the heart of the Beatles was their song writing.
Geritopia definitely their songwriting. But the recording bits are a topic of interest to many. It’s why I got into recording
Song writing and performances. They put tons of energy into everything.
Oh..you think so, huh, geritopia?? Lol
@@chipgaasche4933 Yeah, well... Its just that they could have used other various types of cabinet/mic/compressor configurations and their songs would still shine... but buying all the tools and emulating it wont get you closer to being *like* them. I wouldn't mind the cash resources, however.
Really digging these videos. Thanks!
an exceptional video!! thank you my friend.
Listen to something written by George. Beautiful song but with Paul’s bass line made it very magical.
George later said he felt the line was in places, too busy.
My Ears say..YOU NAILED it.
Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoyed that - great ears to get that tone so sweet
thoroughly enjoyed listening to man that knows his Shite.....and has a fine tuned ear.
Spot on, Brother. Drop that knowledge. Ya done your homework. Well done.
I was sceptical at the start of this. Then you absolutely nailed it. Excellent work.Thanks for showing.
Perfect sound!
Paul was amazing, left home when he was 16 to go to Germany I was such a mama‘s boy at 16, still am,, RiP mom,, not to mention he taught John how to play guitar, I once heard that Paul is the best bassist ever, I agree
John was taught tenor banjo by his Mom, Julia. Just adapt ed to six strings. Far as I know J and P taught eachother
@@doitnowvideosyeah5841 yes Paul showed John the 6 string ,,
It is amazing, we are trying to recreate sounds that were made 40-50 years ago. I play the keyboards and my wife always says...why do you make some covers? Create something yourself. It is, indeed, true. But, on the other hand, it is amazing that we are trying, still, to recreate music from so many years before. It means, that music meant something,
This is a great video thank you for this
I adore this channel. Awesome work. Thanks for sharing. Good good stuff.
I like how he emphasizes the P when he says ‘amp’, slow, smooth with just a touch of mustache.
This actually sounds right according to the Rock Band isolations.
fucking love everything about this - love that bit at the end, 'commit to something... ...this would be it and we would live with it." :D
These Beatles videos are brilliant. This is spot on