Michelle - Bass Line Video

Here is my cover of "Michelle" from the 1965 Beatles album Rubber Soul. This was primarily a Paul McCartney composition. The bass line feels very "composed," like McCartney had worked out exactly what he was going to play ahead of time. Much of it is simple, but notice the exact repetition of the bass line on the two statements of the bridge - there is absolutely no variation. Still, it is a nice bass line with a few beautiful melodic choices. The intro (which is taken from the last four bars of the bridge) is simple, but so nice. Beginning on the 5th of the Fm chord (C) instead of the root sets up the elegant melodic motion that eventually settles into a root-5th pattern once the verse begins.


I am playing a 1985 Rickenbacker 4003 through a SansAmp VT Bass Deluxe. My bass is strung with LaBella flatwound strings. 

Music and lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

Full transcription is below






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