7 Common Chord Changes Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com

This tab illustrates several common chord progressions.
I encourage you to play each example in every key to a metronome.
Knowing these changes is great because they're all in many songs you know,
you can also use them to write songs!

All of these chords progressions will be diatonic.
Diatonic = All chords in one Key/Scale.
Every note in the major scale can be a chord.
here are the qualities of each chord.
(i'll list them out in roman numerals)

 Any major scale                ex) C major Scale

1) I   — major       (1,3,5)    ex) C major     (c,e,g)
2) II  — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) D minor     (d,f,a)
3) III — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) E minor     (e,g,b)
4) IV  — major       (1,3,5)    ex) F major     (f,a,c)        
5) V   — major       (1,3,5)    ex) G major     (g,b,d)
6) VI  — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) A minor     (a,c,e)
7) VII — diminished (1,b3,b5)   ex) B diminshed (b,d,f)

This layout is the same for every major scale.
(C is just the example)
Even though the notes will change once you pick a new key,
all of the qualities of each chord will stay the same.

Here's another example

 Any major scale                ex) Bb major Scale

1) I   — major       (1,3,5)    ex) Bb major     (Bb,D,F)
2) II  — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) C  minor     (C,Eb,G)
3) III — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) D  minor     (D,F,A)
4) IV  — major       (1,3,5)    ex) Eb major     (Eb,G,Bb)        
5) V   — major       (1,3,5)    ex) F  major     (F,A,C)
6) VI  — minor       (1,b3,5)   ex) G  minor     (G,Bb,D)
7) VII — diminished (1,b3,b5)   ex) A diminshed  (A,C,Eb)

notice how once you pick a new scale, the notes change,
but the qualities of each chord stay the same.

Here We Go!!

Progression 1) 

I Major — VI Minor — IV Major — V Major

Example (In D Major)

  |D Major                 |D Major                 |
G||————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
D|o————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
A|o5———————————5———————————|5———————————5—————4—————|
E||——————————5———————————5—|——————————5—————————————|
  |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |B Minor                 |B Minor                 |
G|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
D|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
A|2———————————2———————————|2———————————2———————————|
E|——————————2———————————2—|——————————2———————2—————|
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |G Major                 |G Major                 |
G|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
D|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
A|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
E|3—————————0—3—————————0—|3—————————0—3—————4—————|
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |A Major                 |A Major                 |
G|————————————————————————|————————————————————————||
D|————————————————————————|————————————————————————o|
A|————————————————————————|——————————————————————4—o|
E|5—————————0—5—————————0—|5—————————0—5——————h7———||
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

Variation (In D Major)

  |D Major                 |D Major                 |
G||————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
D|o————————————————————————|——————————————————7———8—|
A|o5—————x—————5———————————|5—————7————/9———————————|
E||————————5h7———————————5—|————————————————————————|
  |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |B Minor                 |B Minor                 |
G|————————————————————————|————————————————————————|
D|9———————————————————————|——————————————————2———4—|
A|——————x———9—————————0—1—|2—————x———4h5———————————|
E|————————————7———————————|————————————————————————|
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |G Major                 |G Major                 |
G|——————————————————7—————|————————————————————————|
D|5————h7————/9———————————|5———————————————————————|
A|————————————————————————|————————5———————————————|
E|————————————————————————|————————————3—————x—2—3—|
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

 |A Major                 |A Major                 |
G|————————————————————————|————————————————————————||
D|————————————————————————|7—————5—————4———————————o|
A|————————————7—————x—7h9—|——————————————————7—————o|
E|5————/9—————————————————|————————————————————————||
 |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |1 + a 2 + a 3 + a 4 + a |

these are the notes in D major: D,E,F#,G,A,B,C#
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
When building a bass line, 
try to think of what notes will lead to the next chord best.

These are just a couple examples.
there are an unlimited amount of variations to this.
I used a couple notes that aren't in the D major scale.
These are chromatic notes i used to strengthen the pull to the next chord.
mess around with these, they're alot of fun!

Progression 2)

I major — V major — VI minor — IV major

Example (In B major)

  |B major         |F# major        |G# minor        |E major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
E||————————————————|2———————————————|4———————————2———|0———————2—h—4———||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In B major)

  |B major         |F# major        |G# minor        |E major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————1———2———|4———————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————————————|————————4———————|————————————6———|7———————6———4———o|
E||————————————————|————————————2———|4———6———7———————|————————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

these are the notes in B major: B,C#,D#,E,F#,G#,A#
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
Feel free to experiment with other chromatic notes as well.

Progression 3)

VI minor — IV major — I major — V major

Example (In C major)

  |A minor         |F major         |C major         |G major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o————————————————|————————————0—2—|3—3—3—3—3—3—————|————————————————o|
E||5—5—5—5—5—5—3—0—|1—1—1—1—1—1—————|————————————0—1—|3—3—3—3—3—3—3—3—||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In C major)

  |A minor         |F major         |C major         |G major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————2—2—3—3—|5—5—————————————o|
A|o————————————5—7—|8—8—8—8—8—8—0—2—|3—3—3—3—————————|————5—5—————————o|
E||5—5—7—7—8—8—————|————————————————|————————————————|————————3—3—3—4—||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

these are the notes in C major: C,D,E,F,G,A,B
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
Feel free to experiment with other chromatic notes as well.
notice you don't have to start with (I) in your chord progression.

Progression 4)

VI minor — IV major 

Example (In G major)

  |E minor         |                |C major         |                |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————5———|————————————————o|
A|o————————————————|————————————0—2—|3——————/7———————|3———————————————o|
E||0———————2———3———|0———————2—3—————|————————————————|————————3———2———||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In Gmajor)

  |E minor         |                |C major         |                |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o——————————————5—|7———————9—10————|————————————————|3———————————————o|
E||0——————————/7———|————————————7———|8———————————0—3—|————————————3—2—||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

these are the notes in G major: G,A,B,C,D,E,F#
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
Feel free to experiment with other chromatic notes as well.
Notice how you don't have to use (I) in your chord progression.

Progression 5)

VI minor — V major — IV — Major — V Major

Example (In F major)

  |D minor         |C major         |Bb major        |C major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————2———5———o|
A|o5—5———5—5—5———5/|3—3———3—3—3———3/|1—————1—1—1———1/|3—3———3———3———3/o|
E||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In F major)

  |D minor         |C major         |Bb major        |C major         |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————3—3—2—2—|————————2—2—3—3—|——————0—2—3—————|————5—5—3—3—2—2—o|
A|o5—5———5—————————|3—3———3—————————|1———————————1—0—|3—3—————————————o|
E||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

these are the notes in F major: F,G,A,Bb,C,D,E
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
Feel free to experiment with other chromatic notes as well.
Notice again how you don't have to use (I) in your chord progression.

Progression 6)

II minor — I major

Emample (In A major)

  |B minor         |                |A major         |                |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————2—4—|—————————4——2———|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————2—5—————|2—————2—————————|0———————————————|0———————0—x—0—1—o|
E||——————2—————————|————————————————|——————0—5———0h2—|——————0—————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In A major)

  |B minor         |                |A major         |                |
G||————————4—2—2—4—|————————————————|2———————————————|————————————————||
D|o——————4—————————|————————————2—4—|—————2——————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————————————|2———————2—5—————|————————0—0—————|0—0—4—4—7—7—0—0—o|
E||————————————————|——————2—————————|————————————0h2—|————————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |


Progression 7)

II minor — V major

Emample (In A major)

  |B minor         |                |E major         |                |
G||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|o————————————2—4—|—————————4——2———|————————————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————2—5—————|2—————2—————————|————————————2———|————————————————o|
E||——————2—————————|————————————————|0—————0/4———————|0—————0—4———5———||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Variation (In A major)

  |B minor         |                |E major         |                |
G||————————4—2—2—4—|————————————————|————9———9p7h9———|————————————————||
D|o——————4—————————|————————————————|——————9—————————|————————————————o|
A|o2———————————————|2———————2———5—6—|7———————————————|7—7—5—5—4—4—3—3—o|
E||————————————————|——————2—————————|————————————————|————————————————||
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |


these are the notes in A major: A,B,C#,D,E,F#,G#
Any of these notes will work in any of these chords.
Feel free to experiment with other chromatic notes as well.
(It's common to resolve II — V to I, but you don't have to)

these are just a few of the many common progressions you'll come across.
play these examples to a metronome at several tempos and keys.
also play them in several different feels.
i also encourage you to come up with your own progressions.
there are so many possibilities.
Explore!

Please give me constructive criticism.
—Connor Larkin

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 — 7 Common Chord Changes bass tabs