Bass Guitar For Dummies
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The Beatles hold a special place in music as Sir Paul McCartney forever enhanced the role of the bass guitar in modern songs. When you're in a session or on stage and need to make a snap decision about what style to use, refer to the following list for inspiration on bass accompaniment. Simply choose the Beatles tune that most closely mirrors the style you're about to play, and then adapt that bass technique to your song.

  • Eighth-note pump

    "Get Back"

    "Please Please Me"

    "Back in the U.S.S.R."

  • Syncopation

    "Ticket to Ride"

    "And I Love Her"

    "In My Life"

    "I Want to Hold Your Hand"

  • Root-5ths

    "Love Me Do"

    "I Feel Fine"

    "From Me to You"

    "Help"

  • Walking

    "Eight Days a Week"

    "All My Loving"

    "Penny Lane"

  • Groove

    "Come Together"

    "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"

    "Lady Madonna"

  • Unison

    "Day Tripper"

    "Birthday"

    "Drive My Car"

  • Countermelody

    "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"

    "Hello, Goodbye"

    "Something"

  • Inversions

    "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

    "Dear Prudence"

    "Cry Baby Cry"

About This Article

This article is from the book:

About the book author:

Patrick Pfeiffer is a professional bassist, bass educator, and composer. His former clients include Polygram, Red Ant Records, Arista Records, and other major labels as well as Adam Clayton of U2. He has recorded with George Clinton, Phoebe Snow, Jimmy Norman of the Coasters, Paul Griffin and Bernard Purdie of Steely Dan, and many other stars.

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