The Beatles as Musicians - Admission/Application Essay Example

?…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. 2nd Ed. London: Pimlico. Read More