Paul McCartney teaches bass

The Bass Master himself teaches a little of his playing technique in this "fair use" excerpt from a promo vid for his latest album (you can buy the full video at nowplayit.com). I think it's interesting because of the closeups showing his fingering style. Also interesting I think is even though it's "very simple" root notes, he still slips in little flourishes to give it some shape, like at 00:51 where he goes C-"F"-D (instead of straight C-D), and how he slides down from F-E at 01:07 keeping the string open instead of muffled like the rest. The most interesting part though I think is his discussion at 02:27 of how he was "tempted" to put in "fiddly bits" at the one part -- jumping up an octave -- and why you might do that if you're feeling "adventurous." I guess that's what musicianship is all about, when to do things like that and when to show restraint (he didn't do it in the final mix).

Added 24 Mar 2026