How to Read Bass Tabs
It does not take music theory training to be able to read bass tabs. Bass tablature is an intuitive system with which you can quickly familiarize yourself to start playing your favorite songs in no time.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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1
Look at the lines representing the strings. Almost all bass tabs are written for a four string bass, but some are written for a five or six string bass. There are four lines representing each string, lowest (E) on the bottom and highest (G) on the top.
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2
Find the numbers on the lines. These numbers represent the fret that you hold down and on which string you play. For example, a 2 on the A string would mean holding down the second fret on the A string and playing it.
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3
Follow time by reading left to right. The notes that are farthest left are the first ones to be played. Also, vertical lines on the strings represent bar lines so that you can see how many notes there are per bar.
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4
Notice any special markings on the string lines that show how to play a note. Special markings could be a "/" that means slide up, a "\" that means slide down, a "^" that indicates to bend the string, a "p" that means to pull-off or an "h" that means to hammer on.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Bass tabs do not usually indicate rhythms, so you have to listen to the song that you are wanting to play to figure out the rhythm.
Don't feel like you have to follow a tab exactly. If a note sounds off to you and you think you know a better one, play the better one instead.
