…THE BEATLES AS MUSICIANS

In the beginning of 1960s, a Liverpool based English rock band- The Beatles, came forward with

all its zeal and zest in the United Kingdom. At that time, no band equaled the influence and

popularity of the four stars of the Beatles- John Lennon, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Paul

McCartney. Just then, the four stars of the Beatles were prevalently regarded as the most

prominent and leading idols of the era. In the beginning of their career, Beatles had experimented

skiffle and rock and roll of 1950s. Later on, they tried out other genres in their music albums like

psychedelic rock and pop ballads. This band, most often, preferred to incorporate classical music

in innovative ways. Back to the history, 1960s was the era where people widely experienced

‘Beatlemania’ as a result of the growing popularity and enormous boom of the four stars.

However, with the passage of time, the group more concentrated on song writing that was deeply

influenced by sophistication. Basically, this allowed the cultural observers and huge number of

fans to perceive Beatles as revolutionists.

Beatles as the Singers

While getting a start in 1960s, Beatles built up their reputation through clubs in Hamburg and

Liverpool. Their manager Epstein worked hard to mould the young guys into professionals

whereas George Martin, the producer, improved the musical potential of the new band. In late

1962, Beatles gained tremendous popularity after releasing their first album, “Love Me Do”

which was huge fame in United Kingdom. ‘Beatlemania’ grew at great pace in Britain and the

young guys were popularly known as ‘Fab Four’ in the four corners of United Kingdom. By

1964, the band gained international popularity in the pop market. From 1965 onward, Beatles

produced the finest material of their career as many music critics most often consider. Their big
hits blend with sophistication and fine touch include Rubber Soul, Revolver, The Beatles and

Abbey Road. Later on, in 1970, the four stars got a break- up and finally started enjoying their

successful independent musical careers afterwards.

As singers and musicians, in 1960s, the Beatles not only inspired psychedelic movement in Great

Britain but the group also gave a new turn to singing world. This group reshaped the path of rock

and roll and pop of 1950s. In 1964, Beatles’ big hit “I Want to Hold Your Hand” greatly sparked

the popularity of the band especially in the United States and turned the group in an international

success (infoplease.com).

The Beatles: The Instrumentalists and the Composers

Being instrumentalists of their time, it is interesting to note that all the Beatles had expertise in

the use of piano. Each one always used piano in one form or another to compose the songs. Piano

had contributed a lot to widen the catalogue of Beatle’s music. Most of the fans all over the

world knew George leading guitar, John creating rhythms with guitar, Paul playing guitar and

Ringo beating drum.

All the four guys of the Beatles- the Fab Four were the instrumentalists and composers. Paul

McCartney learned the use of piano in his early childhood. However, he never learnt how to read

music. The primary source of his fame was playing bass guitar but it did not mean that he never

experimented any other instrument. Paul always enjoyed experiencing several other instruments

like Mellotron and Moog. However, he masterly made use of piano as an instrument of

composing songs. This further empowered Paul as a composer. Not only his fans but his fellow

composers also appreciated his level of proficiency in playing guitar. John Lennon and George

Martin- two among ‘Fab Four’ also considered Paul as the musician who was technically the
most proficient in the use of guitar among the Beatles. The famous tracks for which he played

piano include “The Ballad of John and Yoko” “Dear Prudence” and “Back in the USSR.”

Besides, “Michelle” was the song entirely performed by Paul. Other than piano, Paul was also

very much skilled in playing guitar. He contributed guitar solos in many tracks performed by the

Beatles like “Taxman” “The End” and “Back in the USSR.”

As mentioned above, Paul inventiveness and expertise while playing instruments can be widely

acknowledged. He was an expert songwriter. However, next to him, John was comparatively less

talented in playing instruments that contribute rhythm like brass and drums. It can easily be

judged during his popular song “Another Girl” where he clearly appeared with a drum uneasily

handled and out of rhythm most of the time. During this song, the Beatles can be widely

observed switching their instruments while composing this song. Moreover, John also used to

play piano in several other tracks like “I Am the Walrus” and later on played other instruments

like bass in “Let It Be” “The Long and Winding Road” and “Back in the USSR.” In all these

songs, very few technical errors can be observed if closely listens. However, it is a fact that these

mistakes were fixed after many years. As a result of these mistakes Paul McCartney stripped

down. In 1990s, when all the Beatles again reunited and planned to record some unreleased stuff,

Jeff Lynne- the producer of the project adopted latest technology in the studio to overcome the

instrumental and technical weaknesses of the John. Since then, the role of John in the Beatles

was strongly characterized by the fans and critics as rhythm guitarist.

It can be seen that all Beatles were great composers as well as instrumentalists with their own

specifications and focused areas. So, next to Paul and John, George was best known for his

excellence while playing riffs and fills or melodic lines. He could excellently played string

instruments like sitar and guitar. Paul McCartney considered him the great guitarist. In addition
to instruments like guitars and sitars, George was excellent in playing several other instruments

like bass guitar in “Birthday” tambura in Beatles’ song “Across the Universe” Hammond organ

in “Blue Jay Way” and synthesizer in “Octopus’s Garden.” He most often contributed for

maximum two compositions per album. Most of the critics commented that he had great

contributions in the success stories of the Beatles. However, it was also a fact that George also

put in all the tensions that surrounded the band and finally resulted in their break-up in 1970s.

The last but not the least; Ringo Starr was widely accepted as an important part of the Beatles

when it comes to drum. However, beyond drumming, his knowledge was quite limited. Ringo

composed some of the songs by playing electric piano especially the recordings of “Don’t Pass

Me By” and “Octopus’s Garden.” It is also interesting to note that Ringo was responsible for

various title songs of the Beatles’ career. According to several music critics, the appreciation for

his supportive drumming for Beatles had covered decades. He was skilled enough that he

recorded drum several times in Beatles’ songs just in a single take.

However, George Martin was the producer who produced many of the Beatles’ songs. He also

arranged and composed several tracks for the band (liverpoolcityportal.co.uk).

Music Style and Expansion

The Beatles as singers revolutionized not only the sound but also the style and approach of rock

music. The ‘Fab Four’ opened new doors to rock and roll music. They approached the music

industry as a tidal wave and established their band as the most influential force. In the beginning

of their career, Beatles had highly original style carefully blend with RDB and American Rock

and Roll. They spent most of their time in expanding rock style music. On every new release,

they captured new territories of success. They not only enjoyed novel but also sophisticated
experimentation with a great diversity of genres like psychedelia, baroque pop, country and folk-

rock. They always appealed their viewers with their work.

Walter Everett- a famous musicologist beautifully described the Beatles as developed Musicians.

According to him, McCartney and Lennon had diverse and contrasting approaches and

motivations while composing music. He discussed McCartney as a well developed musician to

entertain the masses- a talent who is always alert and focused. On the other hand, Lennon’s

music can be better seen as a product of unconscious but artistically balanced and sensible work

(Everett, 1999).

Similarly, Ian MacDonald- a music critic and author also describe McCartney as a person who

can be better regarded as natural melodist. He can be observed as a creator of new tunes. His

tunes reflect his optimism and extrovert vigor. On the other hand, Lennon’s repetitive melodious

tunes and his closeness to rhythms gave striking features to his compositions. McDonald and

other Musicologist also appreciate the guitar work of Harrison that also played an important part

while McCartney and Lennon supported their compositions. Last but not the least; Ringo Starr

can be observed as the father of rock and pop drumming due to his expertise (MacDonald, 2005).

Influences on the Beatles

In the history of music, the Beatles were considered the greatest band because of their success

stories and diverse taste in music. They were not only great musicians but they were keen and

enthusiastic listeners of music. They always rushed for the best and realized the fact that they

should deeply observe and analyze others in order to improve. This was the basic reason why

they moved one step ahead among their fellow artists.

Beside the expertise of the Beatles as singers and instrumentalists, it is significant to note that

Beatles as singers had influences of several other groups. In Hamburg, during their stay with

Little Richard at Star Club in 1962, they were advised regarding the proper techniques for

performing songs. Later on, Elvis Presley advises also formed and directed the career of Beatles

further. As Lennon argued that nothing could affect him other than Elvis who had great impact

on Beatles. As singers, Beatles continued to listen and absorb their contemporaries including

Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys and the Lovin’ Spoonful. Spoonful’s album in 1966

“Pet Sounds” really inspired and amazed McCartney. Such influences played great role in the

further success of the Beatles after their first success. They found out new routes on the road of

success through new lyrics and musical avenues. Here is a brief look on some other albums and

artists that affected the work of Beatles as singers.

Harry Nilsson is one among those names who really influenced the work of Beatles. He was

largely unfamiliar American singer who had a great voice and brilliant songwriting skill deeply

affected the work of Beatles. Beatles especially John Lennon had very strong liking for Harry

Nilsson and his work. This can easily be observed in the later work of the band. The influence of

“1941”- a Harry Nilsson’s song can be judged in Beatles’ albums. Next to Harry Nilsson, the

Beach Boys also influenced the work of the Beatles. Although most of the work and lyrics were

silly enough to understand, the release of Pet Sounds really panicked the Beatles because of its

different style and use of instruments. Similarly, John Lennon greatly admired Chuck Berry as

well. This admiration and influence can easily be seen in the early work of the Beatles- “Roll

over Beethoven.” So, it can be seen that Beatles were highly influenced by several other artists in

their music (Dotree, 2007).

From above mentioned details of the Beatles as instrumentalists and singers, it can be observed

that the Beatles were in the era when it was not just the time of showy dramatists, artists and

singers but it was actually the period of singers not only the drummers and guitarists. In this era

of 1960s, instrumentalists were most specifically highlighted. Most of the rock and roll musical

bands always preferred to include instruments especially in the live performances. However,

instrumental breaks were also the part of performances as to give rest to the vocalist in order to

highlight playing later on. At that time, George was the only one among the Beatles who was

well known for his musicianship. He was among the top ten jazz guitarists as well. As time

passed, Paul also achieved high reputation among his fellow bassists whereas Ringo as the

famous drummer of his time. The two fellows not only achieved fame but they were equally

appreciated as well. However, John was the weakest player among all. Though, it is also a fact

that some of his notable leads on guitar and quality of his work in rhythm never seem to be fully

acknowledged.

References

1. Infoplease. Art and Entertainment, 2005.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0154662.html. 24 November 2013.

2. City Portal Liverpool. The Beatles, 2013.

http://www.liverpoolcityportal.co.uk/beatles/beatles_composers.html. 25 November

2013.

3. Dotree. Yahoo Contributor Network, Three Bands that Influenced the Beatles, 2007.

Web. http://voices.yahoo.com/3-bands-influenced-beatles-185605.html. 28 November

2013.
4. Everett, 1999. The Beatles as Musicians: Revolver through the Anthology. New York:

Oxford University Press.

5. MacDonald, 2005. Revolution in the Head: The Beatles’ Records and the Sixties. 2 nd Ed.

London: Pimlico.