How to Read Bass Guitar Tabs

Learn how to read bass tabs.

In contrast to the six-string guitar, the most common bass guitar is a four-stringed instrument that does not have the B and high E strings. Furthermore, bass tabs are composed of four lines that represent the low E, A, D and G strings. Although there are fewer strings to play on a bass, there are several sound effects and techniques that are unique to this instrument. By learning how to read tabs you can play songs on your bass guitar much more easily.

Instructions

1. Go to a bass-guitar tab website such as Bass Masta (see References). Browse the available artists by clicking on a letter at the top of the site. Select an artist or song from the list. Choose a song with a high rating that is tabbed accurately.

2. Set the tuning. Any tuning other than standard is listed at the top of the tab sheet. Tempo is sometimes listed as well as time signatures.

3. Fret the first note and play the introduction. Each note is listed as the fret number and located on one of the four strings which are represented as horizontal lines. Open notes are listed as 0. The notes are spaced according to how the song is played.

4. Continue to play the rest of the measure. Slides are represented as "\ /," hammers as "h", pull offs as "p," thumb slaps as "T," pops as "P" and right-hand taps as "R." Repeat the introduction until you can play it flawlessly.

5. Play the verses and chorus. These sections are usually listed once if the notes repeat during the song.

Tips & Warnings

• Play along to the recording of the song.

• Print out the tab sheets if you are playing away from a computer.

References

• Bass Masta: Learn to Play Bass
• 911 Tabs: Bass Tabs