A Basic Tumbao Groove Bass Tabs - Bass Lessons @ BigBassTabs.com

This tab illuastrates how to play a basic Tumbao.
The Tumbao is a basic Afro—Cuban rhythm.
The main characteristic about the tumbao is that you don't hit on 1.

I will use this symbol to represent how long you hold the notes out: ~

We will use G as the root for all of these examples.

This is the most common pattern (it works over major and minor chords) 

G|————||————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————5~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
A|————|o——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~~————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Here is a variation using a ninth instead of the octave

G|————||————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————7~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
A|————|o——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~~————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Here's a variation for diminished chords

G|————||————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————5~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
A|————|o——————4~~~~~————|——————4~~~~~————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Here's a vaiation alternating between the nineth and major tenth.

G|————||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————7~~~|~~~~~~——————————|———————————/9~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
A|————|o——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~—————|——————5~~~~~————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~|~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Here's a vaiation alternating between the nineth and minor tenth.

G|————||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————7~~~|~~~~~~——————————|———————————/8~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
A|————|o——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~—————|——————5~~~~~————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~|~~~~~~——————————|————————————3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

here's a variation using a 1,4,5 progression

 |G maj                             |C maj           |D maj 
G|————||————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————||
D|————|o————————————5~~~|~~~~~~——————————|——————2~~~~—————|————————————————o|
A|————|o——————5~~~~~————|——————5~~~~~3~~~|~~~~~~—————5~~~~|~~~~~~——————————o|
E|3~~~||~~~~~~——————————|————————————————|————————————————|——————5~~~~~3~~~||
 |4 +  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

You can take this basic rhythm and apply all types of different intervals over it.
As long as the rhythm is the same, you are still playing a tumbao.

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 — A Basic Tumbao Groove bass tabs