Some people are so musically talented that they don’t need many lessons to learn how to play an instrument. Paul McCartney is one of the talented musicians and plays several instruments, including guitar and piano. Although the former Beatle can play the piano at a high level, he says that he was never inclined to take piano lessons as a child.
Paul McCartney grew up with a piano in his home
Paul McCartney was born and raised in Liverpool, England, like all the other Beatles. He grew up in a middle-class family of four, where his father worked as a merchant while his mother worked as a midwife. He always loved music, and there was a piano in his house. In an interview with Wired, McCartney said that his father knew how to play the piano but refused to teach him.
“When I was a kid, we had a piano in the house,” McCartney shared. “My father played it. I have read that many people in those days, indeed all over the world, had pianos in their homes. It’s like having a computer today. Everyone has one. That’s how people were entertained because there wasn’t much other entertainment, back to the old days of television. So, yes, we had a piano at home, and I played the piano on it, and I asked my father to teach me, but he refused.
McCartney didn’t stick to piano lessons as a child
Although Paul McCartney can now play the piano well, he had his own learning style. His dad didn’t teach him and he was never interested in lessons because music didn’t suit him. So, in the end, he taught himself to stick to a few ingredients.
“[My dad] McCartney said, ‘You’ve got to get the right lessons,’” McCartney said. “So, I took the proper lessons and I couldn’t continue because the music I was hearing in my head…I couldn’t do it. Now, you know, I think the kids are learning, go on. I don’t want to tell you not to do it, but I just can’t do it. I’m a bit self-taught. I just picked a string on the piano. It must have been when I was about 14 years old.”
McCartney played piano on many songs with The Beatles
McCartney’s piano skills can be heard on many of The Beatles’ hits, including “Let it Be,” “Lady Madonna,” “Hey Jude,” “Hello, Goodbye,” and “A Day in the Life”. He also used piano on many songs in his solo career. One of the most impressive piano performances can be heard in “Martha, My Dear”, which is mentioned in the book by Barry Miles Many years from now.
“When I taught myself piano, I wanted to see how far I could go, and that started life almost as a part of piano lessons,” McCartney said. “It’s hard for me to play, it’s a two-handed thing, like a small piece. To be honest, I remember one or two people were surprised when I played it because it was a bit beyond my level or ability, but I wrote it off as such, something that was more difficult for me to play. And while I was holding back the words – you just say and some things come – I saw the words ‘My dear Martha’.
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