12 Bar Blues Lesson Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com


There are 3 Blues patterns in bass playing. They each consist 
of three different root notes. 

*Pattern 1 
The 1st root is on the E string 5th fret. The 2nd root is on the A 
string 5th fret. And the 3rd root is on the A string 7th fret. 

*Pattern 2 
The 1st root is on the A string 7th fret. The 2nd root is on the E 
string 7th fret. And the 3rd root is on the E string 5th fret. 

*Pattern 3 (Only Used When The Pattern Uses ALL FOUR STRINGS) 
All roots start on the E string. The 1st root is the 2nd fret. The 
2nd root is the 8th fret. And the 3rd root is the 10th fret. 

To play a 12 bar blues... You find a certain pattern in a 4/4 beat. 
You start the pattern on the first root and play 4 measures. Then 
you go to the 2nd root and play 2 measures before returning back 
to the 1st to play 2 measures. Then you play 1 measure each on the 
3rd root, 2nd root, 1st root, and then to finish 1 measure on the 
3rd root. 

*Ex. of Pattern 1 
G|————————|————————|————————|————————| 
D|——7—5———|——7—5———|——7—5———|——7—5———| All on 1st root 
(E string, 5th fret) 
A|——————7—|——————7—|——————7—|——————7—| 
E|5———————|5———————|5———————|5———————| 

G|——7—5———|——7—5———|————————|————————| 
D|——————7—|——————7—|——7—5———|——7—5———| First 2 measures on 2nd root (A string, 5th fret) 
A|5———————|5———————|——————7—|——————7—| Second 2 measures on 1st root (E string, 5th fret) 
E|————————|————————|5———————|5———————| 

G|——9—7———|——7—5———|————————|——9—7———| First measure on 3rd root (A string, 7th fret) 
D|——————9—|——————7—|——7—5———|——————9—| Second measure on 2nd root (A string, 5th fret) 
A|7———————|5———————|——————7—|7———————| Third measure on 1st root (E string, 5th fret) 
E|————————|————————|5———————|————————| Last measure on 3rd root (A string, 7th fret) 

*Ex. of Pattern 2 
G|——9—7———|——9—7———|——9—7———|——9—7———| 
D|——————9—|——————9—|——————9—|——————9—| All on 1st root (A string, 7th fret) 
A|7———————|7———————|7———————|7———————| 
E|————————|————————|————————|————————| 

G|————————|————————|——9—7———|——9—7———| 
D|——9—7———|——9—7———|——————9—|——————9—| First 2 measures on 2nd root (E string, 7th fret) 
A|——————9—|——————9—|7———————|7———————| Second 2 measures on 1st root (A string, 7th fret) 
E|7———————|7———————|————————|————————| 

G|————————|————————|——9—7———|————————| First measure on 3rd root (E string, 5th fret) 
D|——7—5———|——9—7———|——————9—|——7—5———| Second measure on 2nd root (E string, 7th fret) 
A|——————7—|——————9—|7———————|——————7—| Third measure on 1st root (A string, 7th fret) 
E|5———————|7———————|————————|5———————| Last measure on 3rd root (E string, 5th fret) 

*Ex. of Pattern 3 
G|——4—————|——4—————|——4—————|——4—————| 
D|————2———|————2———|————2———|————2———| First measure 
on 1st root (2nd fret) 
A|——————4—|——————4—|——————4—|——————4—| 
E|2———————|2———————|2———————|2———————| 

G|——10——————|——10——————|——4—————|——4—————| 
D|—————8————|—————8————|————2———|————2———| First 2 measures on 2nd root (8th fret) 
A|——————————|———————10—|——————4—|——————4—| Second 2 measures on 1st root (2nd fret) 
E|8——————10—|8—————————|2———————|2———————| 

G|———12———————|——10——————|——4—————|———12———————| First measure on 3rd root (10th fret) 
D|——————10————|—————8————|————2———|——————10————| Second measure on 2nd root (8th fret) 
A|—————————12—|———————10—|——————4—|—————————12—| Third measure on 1st root (2nd fret) 
E|10——————————|8—————————|2———————|10——————————| Last measure on 3rd root (10th fret) 

No matter what pattern you use, the order of the root notes never 
change. The root order is always— 1,1,1,1,2,2,1,1,3,2,1,3. 
I used a really simple pattern for each example (they probably 
sound like crap) You can always throw your own pattern in there. 
Also, try to throw in some eight and sixten notes. Triplets always 
sound nice to. 

—Jester

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 — 12 Bar Blues Lesson bass tabs