All About Bass Tabs
One of the most important parts of learning bass guitar is learning how to play using bass tabs. Bass guitar is a unique and beautiful instrument, and you’ll get started much faster if you learn to read bass tabs.
What Is Bass Tab?
Bass tablature, or bass tab, serves as a form of music notation specifically for bass guitar. It can be particularly helpful when starting, though even advanced songs can also be written in bass tabs.
Bass tab consists of four horizontal lines that represent the strings, though some tabs may have five lines for five-string basses. Each horizontal line has a letter attached to it, which represents the tuning for each string.
Numbers are used on bass tabs to indicate notes and show you which fret to play. For example, a 2 on the “A” line means you’d play the second fret on the A-string. These numbers can be one on top of the other, meaning that you’d play them together.
Bass tab also has vertical bars that indicate measures and occasionally they will also have a rhythm written under the entire tab. Other times you’ll need to listen to the song and figure out the rhythm on your own.
You may also find other markings on bass tabs that represent tapping, sliding, bending, thumb slapping, or other similar techniques. These are not standardized, so look for a key at the beginning of each bass tab that shows you what each one means in that particular piece.
There are also several alternate tunings for the bass guitar; it’s not always EADG. Some tab shows DADG or DbAbDbGb tuning. Tune your bass the same as the tab for the music to come out correctly.
How Do I Learn to Read Bass Tabs?
Learning to read bass tabs is as simple as choosing a song on your level, listening to it to have a good idea of how it sounds, and then slowly practicing your fingering.
Bass tab is very straightforward, and indicates where your fingers go on each string, so with consistent practice, it will soon become second nature and you’ll be able to play more difficult or complex pieces.
To practice efficiently, remember these tips:
- Go slowly. Put on a metronome at a slow tempo and make sure you get the notes down in the bass tabs perfectly before you slowly increase the speed.
- Practice often. As you practice, your muscles will develop muscle memory and the fingering and rhythms will come more easily to you.
- Play for 30 minutes. Minimally, practice for a half an hour daily. You can do more, but to progress, you’ll need to dedicate quality time to learning bass guitar.
Don’t forget that everyone progresses differently, and at different rates. The key is to be consistent.
Where Can I Find Good Bass Tab Sheet Music?
Not all bass tabs are created equal. To find a quality bass tab that is written for your skill level, check out the huge collection of bass tabs at Musicnotes.com.
https://www.studybass.com/lessons/reading-music/how-to-read-bass-tab/
https://www.fender.com/articles/scales/bass-guitar-scales-for-beginners