“Bono always wanted me to play that part with a pick, but I get a different reaction from playing bass with my fingers. There’s nothing quite like that contact of pulling the wires”: Adam Clayton on the U2 sound

With an appealing frontman, among the world’s most ingenious guitar players, and a strong drummer, you do not require to be a rocket researcher to find out how to play bass guitar in U2: play eighth-notes and hang on for the trip. There is a much deeper story behind the exacting accuracy in Adam Clayton’s design.

When Edge leaves mid-song to check out brand-new heavenly melodic worlds, it’s Clayton who takes the helm and guides the tunes through their modifications. And when there’s area to fill in between Bono’s lilting lyrical expressions, Clayton’s creative countermelodies address the call. Whatever the tune, Clayton exists with the ideal bassline and the ideal tone.

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