Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed - Acoustic chords and strumming

"I'm Amazed" showcases Paul McCartney's sophisticated songwriting approach, starting with the most complex and surprising part of the song - the end of the chorus. This lesson breaks down the chromatic bass movement and slash chord progression that gives the song its unique character.

The core progression moves through A major, then into a descending bass line using slash chords: D/F#, D minor/F, E minor 7, B flat, F/A, C major, and G/B. These slash chords create smooth voice leading where the bass moves chromatically downward while the upper harmony changes, a technique McCartney developed during the late Beatles period. The F/A can be played simply as an F major chord with the A note ringing on the open fifth string, making it accessible even for intermediate players.

The song demonstrates how starting with the most interesting harmonic section creates immediate impact and establishes the musical identity before settling into simpler verse material. Understanding how these slash chords function - maintaining the chord quality on top while the bass moves independently underneath - is key to capturing that sophisticated Beatles-era sound that defined McCartney's writing during this period.