Rage Against the Machine’s “Bulls on Parade” is a powerhouse track, renowned for its explosive energy and Tom Morello’s innovative guitar work. As a guitar instructor, I recently transcribed this awesome song for my students, and I’m excited to share this Bulls On Parade Guitar Tab with you for free!
This song is a fantastic workout in funk-rock energy, demanding both power and groove. “Bulls on Parade” is all about attitude and precision. To really nail it, you need to lock into the rhythmic pocket while attacking the strings with both force and accuracy. The original recording is in Eb tuning, but this tab, like many live performances, is written in standard E tuning for easier playing along.
Decoding Tom Morello’s Solo
The guitar solo in “Bulls on Parade” is legendary for its unconventional techniques. Trying to transcribe it note-for-note is almost impossible because it’s less about traditional guitar playing and more about sonic manipulation. Morello creates that signature scratching sound by sliding his hand across the strings above the pickups and rapidly switching between the bridge and neck pickups. To replicate this stuttering effect authentically, you’ll ideally need guitars with separate volume controls for each pickup.
He also incorporates a whammy pedal to further warp the pitch and create those dive-bomb sounds. The best way to approach learning this solo is not to get bogged down in trying to find specific notes, but to focus on mimicking the overall effect and the techniques Tom Morello employs.
Watching live performances of Rage Against the Machine playing “Bulls on Parade” on YouTube is incredibly helpful. By observing Tom Morello’s hand movements and how he interacts with his guitar and effects, you can gain a much better understanding of how to achieve that DJ-scratching guitar sound. It’s also a fantastic exercise for your ear training – try to match the sounds and textures he creates rather than focusing solely on individual notes.
Download Your Free Guitar Tab
Ready to dive in? Download your free Bulls on Parade guitar tab in PDF format now and start learning this Rage Against the Machine classic!
Bulls on Parade FREE Guitar Tab – Rage Against the Machine
Enjoy playing, and keep the energy high!
Peace,
Neil
