Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Amongst many great Paul basslines, I would very much like to know the intricacies of this particular bass song.

There are a few passages in the song that Paul is playing so fast that I can't pick up on what he is doing. Does anyone out there know any reliable bass tabs to "Rain"?

Even the "Beatles Anthology" scores conveniently do not notate the fast runs on that song. Perhaps it's, "You're on your own for this, mate".

And hey, if a bass guru much better than me is reading this, what is Paul doing on the fast bassline portion of "Taxman" where the lyric goes... "If you drive a car, I'll..... "

That Macca is a great one!

...and cosidering that they played "Rain" twice as fast and slowed it down! and, yeah, the fast alternate bassline in "Taxman" is incredible. check out Ron Blair (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) play it on the "Concert For George."

(that HAS to be Paul playing bass on "Taxman"... not George H.)

and sorry i haven't answered one of your questions!

Alex, the bass line in the Taxman middle eight is amazing...not too difficult though... you just need to practice a little bit

got this off a site...

TAXMAN

"If you drive a car..."
--------7-6-5------------
----7-5-------7-6-5-------- Repeat 3x
--7-----------------7---
----------------------

-----------------------
-----------------------
----7-7-7-5-5-5----------------
-----------------------

Kevin,
the bass was recorded at normal speed or even a bit slower.
The guitars were recorded much faster, but not twice as fast.

cool, thanks for the correction. that bass line would seem impossible twice as fast...

Our first drummer, in the early days of the band, would start this tune a bit too fast. I'd have to look over my shoulder and get him to slow it down, some of the bass part is hard enuff at "normal" speed.

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for the tab on "Taxman". That most assuredly is McCartney playing the bass.

Now, do you have a tab for "Rain"? Actually, I know what most of the song. It's just those fast lines.

And finally, regarding "Rain", for the slow-down effect that John wanted, I've read that the entire band played it a bit faster and in "A" major, and then the tracks were slowed down to "G" major for the finished product.

I've read a commentary by Ringo about playing it that speed (all instruments, not just the guitars) and I've also read George Martin's commentary.

Who knows what the true story is? Such is the way of Beatles lore.

I thought the Taxman part was...
--------7--------5--7\
-----7-----5--7------- (X2)
--5-------------------
----------------------

Alex,
I forgot the drums. Drums and Guitars in one take,
, recorded very fast, but not the bass part.
Can't find the source, it is mentioned somewhere...

Hi Wolfgang,

I'll take your word for it. Thanks and have a good weekend.

Now..... someone get me a accurate tab for the fast runs in RAIN!!!!

brian, that looks more like it. i just grabbed one from some site...
i'm gonna try that one!

I hope these "first take" clips are useful... Just Paul's 1966 bass lines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yC8cCcQZqQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2QTu4eq4Gw

Nice work, Francesco.

Great job man...C'mon...Give us a smile every now and again!