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"Taxman" solo question


mosiddiqi

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Posted

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.

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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.

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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.

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^^

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!...

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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

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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! :D....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! :thu:

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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 : )

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Posted

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

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Posted

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 :thu:

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Posted

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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