11th's Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com

This tab illustrates how to play 11th's on the bass.
11th's are simply 4th's an octave up.

example)

 |Root    4th     |Root    11th    |
 |Ab      Db      |Ab      Db      | 
G|————————————————|————————6———————|
D|————————————————|————————————————|
A|————————4———————|————————————————|
E|4———————————————|4———————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Notice how the 4th and the 11th are the same note.

There are two types of fourths in western music,
there is the perfect 4th (4) — 5 half steps (frets) away from the root.
and the sharp 4th (#4) — 6 half steps (frets) away from the root.
in this respect, that means there are two types of 11th's
The perfect 11th (11) and the sharp 11th (#11)

*if none of this is making sense, check out my intervals tab.*

11th's have a suspended sound meaning it has an open sound that wants to resolve.
it does not define if the chord is major or minor. (that's what the 3rd does)

—A Perfect 4th (4) or 11th (11) likes to resolve to a major or minor 3rd or 10th:
 (you can resolve up to the 5th (12th) but the resolution is not as strong)

example)

(the bass note is a C, the note above the tab is the 11th and 10th)

 |11th (F)        |major 10th (E)  |11th (F)        |minor 10th (Eb) |
G|10——————————————|9———————————————|10——————————————|8———————————————|
D|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
A|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
E|8———————————————|8———————————————|8———————————————|8———————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

—A Sharp 4th (#4) or sharp #11th (#11) likes to resolve to the 5th or 12th.
 (you can resolve down to the 3rd (10th) but the resolution is not as strong)

example)

(the bass note is a C, the note above the tab is the #11th and 12th)

 |#11th (F#)      |12th (G)        |
G|11——————————————|12——————————————|
D|————————————————|————————————————|
A|————————————————|————————————————|
E|8———————————————|8———————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Here's a little progression that will help you move these intervals around:
I will label the chord, intervals and notes so you can get an idea of whats going on.

R=Root of the chord

  |D major                         |E minor                         |
  |R       10  R   11  10  R       |R       11 b10 b10 11   R       |
  |D       F#  D   G   F#  D       |E       A   G   G  A    E       |
G||————————11——————12——11——————————|————————14p—12——12h14———————————|
D|o————————————————————————————————|————————————————————————————————|
A|o————————————————————————————————|————————————————————————————————|
E||10——————————10——————————10————//|12——————————————————————12————//|
  |1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a |1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a |

 |G major                         |G major                         |
 |R       10  R #11   R   12      |R       10  R #11   R   12      |
 |G       B  G   C#   G   D       |G       B  G   C#   G   D       |
G|————————16—————18———————19——————|————————16——————18——————19//////||
D|————————————————————————————————|————————————————————————————————o|
A|————————————————————————————————|————————————————————————————————o|
E|15——————————15——————15——————————|15——————————15——————15——————————||
 |1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a |1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a |

I encourage you to come up with your own songs using these intervals.

i hope this has been helpful.
message me for questions.
thanks,

—Just3boyz

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Bass Lessons — 11th's bass tabs