Bass tablature, commonly known as bass tab, is a straightforward system for notating music specifically for the bass guitar. You’ll encounter bass tabs in music books, bass magazines, and extensively across the internet as a resource for learning songs.
IMPORTANT: While learning to read bass tabs and play songs from them is a valuable initial step, remember that it represents just a small portion of what it means to become a well-rounded bass player. If you’re just starting out, make sure to also check out my article on mistakes beginner bass players make in the bass basics section. This will give you a broader perspective as you begin your bass journey.
Let’s dive into understanding how to read bass tabs effectively.
Understanding Bass Tab Strings
Bass tabs represent the strings of your bass guitar as horizontal lines. Typically, bass tabs are written for the 4-string bass, which is the most common type. However, you might also find tabs for 5-string and 6-string basses, depending on the demands of the music. The number of lines in the tab will correspond to the number of strings on the bass being played.
The strings in a bass tab are arranged with the lowest-pitched string (the thickest string) at the bottom and ascending in pitch as you move upwards. For a standard 4-string bass, the tuning from lowest to highest is E-A-D-G. In bass tab, this standard tuning is depicted as follows:
G -------------------------------------
D -------------------------------------
A -------------------------------------
E -------------------------------------Even if a song requires a different tuning or utilizes a bass with more strings, the fundamental perspective of reading the tab remains consistent: the lowest string is always represented at the bottom.
Decoding Fret Numbers in Bass Tabs
In bass tablature, notes are indicated by numbers placed on the string lines. These fret numbers tell you which fret to press down on a particular string to produce the desired note. Most bass guitars come with anywhere from 20 to 24 frets. In bass tabs, you’ll typically encounter fret numbers ranging from 0, which represents an open string (played without pressing down any fret), up to 24.
Let’s look at an example to illustrate how fret numbers work in bass tab. In the example below, you would start by playing the 3rd fret on the E-string. Next, you would play the 2nd fret on the A-string, followed by the 5th fret on the A-string, and then the 5th fret on the D-string. The tab then indicates playing back down those same notes in reverse order.
G ------------------------------------
D ------------------5-----------------
A --------2----5---------5----2-------
E ---3-----------------------------3--This sequence of notes, as shown in the tab, would sound and look something like this on the bass fretboard:
Navigating Bars in Bass Tab
Similar to standard music notation, bass tabs often use vertical bar lines to demarcate musical bars or measures. These bars help to organize the music into rhythmic units.
G -------------------|-----------------
D -------------------|-----------------
A -------------------|-----------------
E -------------------|-----------------Bar lines in bass tabs are crucial for understanding the timing and structure of a song. They essentially tell you when to restart your rhythmic count. For instance, in common 4/4 time, you would count 1, 2, 3, 4 up to the bar line, and then the count restarts for the next bar: 1, 2, 3, 4 [barline] 1, 2, 3, 4, [barline] and so on.
Interpreting Rhythm in Bass Tabs
One aspect where bass tabs can vary is in the notation of rhythm. In many bass tabs, rhythmic information is not explicitly provided. You are only given the sequence of notes to play. In such cases, you’re expected to listen to the song recording and figure out the rhythm by ear. This can be a good exercise for developing your aural skills and timing.
However, in some bass tabs, rhythm is indicated directly beneath the tablature, often by writing out the beat counts under the fret numbers. This is particularly helpful for learning the precise timing of notes within a measure.
Here’s an example of bass tab where the rhythm is indicated using eighth note counts written underneath the tab lines:
G -------------------|--------
D ---------------5---|--------
A -------2---5-------|--------
E ---3---------------|--------
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 +In this example, the numbers and ‘+’ symbols represent the eighth note subdivisions within a 4/4 time signature, providing a rhythmic guide for playing the notes above.
Common Bass Tab Symbols and Markings
Beyond strings, fret numbers, and rhythm, bass tabs often include various symbols and markings that indicate specific playing techniques or nuances. It’s important to note that these markings are not always standardized across all tabs, so you might encounter variations. Often, a good tab will include a legend or explanation of the markings used at the beginning of the tab. Here are some of the most common bass tab markings you’re likely to encounter:
Markings on the strings:
- Forward slash (/): Indicates a slide upwards in pitch. This means you play a note and then slide your finger up to a higher fret on the same string without lifting your finger.
- Back slash (): Indicates a slide downwards in pitch. Conversely, this is a slide from a higher fret to a lower fret on the same string.
- Caret (^): Represents a bend. This involves playing a note and then bending the string upwards or downwards to raise the pitch.
- X (x): Denotes a ghost note or muted note. This is played by lightly touching the string to create a percussive, muted sound rather than a clear pitch.
- H (h): Stands for a hammer-on. This technique involves striking a note with a finger on your fretting hand and then “hammering” another finger onto a higher fret on the same string to sound a second note, without picking the string again.
- P (p): Indicates a pull-off. After playing a note, you “pull-off” a finger from a higher fret to sound a lower note on the same string, again without picking the string a second time.
Markings beneath the strings:
- S: Represents a thumb slap, a percussive technique commonly used in funk and slap bass styles.
- P: Indicates a pop, another slap bass technique where you forcefully pull the string away from the fretboard so it snaps back and creates a percussive pop sound.
- T: Stands for tapping. This technique involves using fingers from your picking hand (and sometimes both hands) to tap notes on the fretboard. Tabs might specify hand usage with ‘L’ (left hand) or ‘R’ (right hand), assuming a right-handed player.
Understanding Alternate Tunings in Bass Tabs
Another element you might find in bass tabs is the specification of alternate tunings. If a song requires a tuning other than the standard EADG, it will usually be indicated at the top of the tab. The tab might specify the exact tuning, such as “Db-Ab-Db-Gb,” or use a common tuning name like “Drop D,” which means tuning your E-string down to D, resulting in a DADG tuning. Tunings are always written from the lowest string to the highest string.
If you’re interested in exploring different tunings, you can read more about standard bass tunings and alternate bass tunings here on StudyBass.
How to Read Bass Tab Summary
Reading bass tab is quite straightforward once you grasp the basics. It essentially boils down to reading fret numbers on lines that represent your bass strings. For beginners, bass tabs are an invaluable tool, especially before you’ve learned to read standard music notation or memorized all the note names across the fretboard. Even for more advanced players, tabs can be a quick and helpful way to visualize fingerings, particularly for complex musical passages, even when used alongside standard notation. Becoming comfortable with reading bass tab is a worthwhile skill for any bassist.
If you’re eager to start playing, I recommend checking out my recommendations for bass tab books. These books are excellent resources, and I often use songs from them as examples in my bass lessons to illustrate theory and playing techniques.
Good luck as you get started with bass tabs, and I encourage you to explore the wealth of resources available here on StudyBass!
