Looking to expand your bass playing repertoire and master some legendary grooves? We’ve handpicked 20 instantly recognizable basslines, spanning diverse styles and techniques, all available for you to download as Guitar Pro files. From the funky finesse of Marcus Miller to the rock anthems of Pink Floyd and Toto, this collection is your gateway to exploring iconic bass parts. Get ready to grab your bass and dive into these essential basslines, perfectly transcribed for Guitar Pro!
Download “20_Basslines_For_Guitar_Pro_7.zip” (Click on the image above to download the .zip file for Guitar Pro 7)
Download “20_Basslines_For_Guitar_Pro_6.zip” (Click on the image above to download the .zip file for Guitar Pro 6)
Explore These 20 Bassline Gems:
This bundle features excerpts from songs available on www.mysongbook.com, showcasing a wide array of bass playing styles:
- Chic – Le Freak C’est Chic
- Donna Summer – Hot Stuff
- James Brown – Get Up (I Feel Like Being) A Sex Machine
- Lenny Kravitz – Fly Away
- Marcus Miller – Run for Cover
- Michael Jackson – Beat it
- Pink Floyd – Money
- Rage Against The Machine – Killing in the Name
- Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication
- Rush – YYZ
- Telephone – Ça (C’est Vraiment Toi)
- The Beatles – Come Together
- The Cure – Close to Me
- The Doors – Riders on the Storm
- The Steve Miller Band – The Joker
- The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
- Tool – Schism
- Toto – Don’t Chain My Heart
- Tower Of Power – What is Hip?
- Yes – Roundabout
Master Key Bass Techniques
These meticulously transcribed bass tabs for Guitar Pro are not just about learning famous lines; they’re also an excellent resource for understanding and practicing essential bass techniques. Here’s a breakdown of what you can learn:
Staccato
Staccato is all about controlled note duration. It involves shortening the note by immediately stopping the string from ringing after it’s played. A light touch is usually all it takes to mute the string and achieve that crisp, detached sound. James Brown’s “Get Up” is a fantastic track to practice this rhythmic technique.
Dead Notes (Muted Notes)
Dead notes, or muted notes, add a percussive element to your basslines. To execute them, release finger pressure on the string while maintaining finger contact. Avoid pressing the string down to the fretboard; instead, strike the string with your right-hand index or middle finger. This produces a non-pitched, muffled thud. In Guitar Pro and standard notation, dead notes are indicated by an “x” on the staff or tablature.
Accents
Accents bring dynamic variation to your playing. They involve emphasizing certain notes with slightly more force than others, making them stand out in the mix. Simply apply a bit more finger strength to the accented note to make it pop. Listen to and learn from Chic’s “Le Freak C’est Chic” to hear accents in action and understand how they drive the groove.
Slap and Pop
Slap and pop techniques are fundamental to funk and many modern bass styles. Slapping involves striking the string with the bony part of your thumb, creating a percussive attack. Popping is achieved by sliding your finger under a string, pulling it away from the fretboard, and releasing it to snap back and hit the fretboard, generating a bright, popping sound. Start with Lenny Kravitz’s “Fly Away” to get a feel for slapping, then tackle Marcus Miller’s “Run for Cover” to further develop your slap and pop skills.
Slides/Glissando
Slides, also known as glissando, create smooth transitions between notes. To perform a slide, fret a note and then slide your fretting finger to another fret without lifting it from the string. This creates a seamless glide in pitch.
Start Learning Today
Download these free bass tabs for Guitar Pro and start exploring these iconic basslines and techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bassist, this collection offers valuable insights and practice material to elevate your playing.
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