Members mosiddiqi Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 Have any of you guys managed to nail the solo from The Beatles "Taxman"?...I'm finding this really tough..the notes are fine, it's not hard to play in the usual sense, it's just hard to get it to sound like it does..that attack...any tips?..it was played by Paul McCartney I believe. I've watched a lot of footage of various guitarists in Paul McCartneys band trying to play it, and they don't seem to quite get it either...which makes me feel a bit better.
Members kraen Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 I read an interview with Sir McCartney recently where he said that he couldn't remember when it was recorded. My best suggestion to this is that he maybe saw many pink elephants dancing tango (=LSD). I don't think any person alive knows how that solo was recorded.
Members ssureshot Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 I just read about this last night on one of the last pages of Guitar Player. Though it didn't give any tips on how it's done it was an interview with Paul.. He talked about saying to play this solo this way and noone could so he ended up playing it instead... I just thought it was interesting.. Check it out.. I'm looking for the link and if I find it online Ill add it here.
Members mosiddiqi Posted December 19, 2008 Author Members Posted December 19, 2008 ^^Thanks guys!...ssureshot if you do find that link, that'd be cool. It's funny, I have no problems (well, not too many!) with rock solo's like Michael Schenker or Ritchie Blackmore..but this one, short, solo in "taxman" is a complete bitch to play!...
Members jeremy_green Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 I think that solo is a total one off in all aspects. That amp, on that setting, with that mic in front, with that guitar, hit by that guitar player, in that room, on that day. Bet he couldnt do it again if he tried
Members mosiddiqi Posted December 19, 2008 Author Members Posted December 19, 2008 I think that solo is a total one off in all aspects. That amp, on that setting, with that mic in front, with that guitar, hit by that guitar player, in that room, on that day. Bet he couldnt do it again if he tried Thanks for the encouraging words Jeremy! ....though I think you're right, I'll settle for getting the overall flavour of it..hit it hard and hope I don't get tomatoes (or worse) thrown at me!
Members jeremy_green Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 Sorry bro! I have played that solo before and it was never right. Not saying it cant be done but it is one of those moments that goes beyond your controllable technique into the realm of specific sounds. If you get the spirit of it you will be fine. You'll spend hours sorting out a 30 second bit that only you and the 3 other guitarists in the room get. Everyone else will basically have no idea it was even you playing it : )
Members heavy D Posted December 19, 2008 Members Posted December 19, 2008 I always liked that solo. It's definitely McCartney. There's a lot of talk about the gear used, but I agree, there's something unique to the way it was played. To me, it's a right hand thing (well, left hand for McCartney). He picks with the wrist and he sort of pulls his hand away from the guitar as he does it. This sort of snaps the string, giving it a really bright, aggressive sound. You can hear it on his other guitar work as well. I looked for a youtube vid that shows it but there's so much to wade through, try this one (pretty bad playing though). Watch his left hand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JCehTiWiwc
Members mosiddiqi Posted December 19, 2008 Author Members Posted December 19, 2008 Thanks heavy D!...he's definitely got a very aggressive picking hand..probably from being a bass player mostly as you say.. Cheers for all the advice guys
Members Funkwire Posted December 24, 2008 Members Posted December 24, 2008 I don't know if this helps, but he played the solo on an Epiphone Casino...hollow body with P-90 pickups.
Members GreenAsJade Posted December 24, 2008 Members Posted December 24, 2008 I'm not sure if it's the method of the attack so much as the timing of it. To me (not that I can play it) the main characteristic of this is picks in the middle of bends/changes in fingering, giving it a very chopped up feel. (Which would be in line with Lucy & "I bet he can't do it again") GaJ
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