Clim The Neck - Strength & Dexterity Training Bass Tabs


This is something that I do as both a warm up exercise
and a "drill" to increase my finger strength, dexterity,
and familiarity with notes on the neck.  It's quick and
easy, and is applicable at most all skill levels.

The key to doing this exercise is use all FOUR of your
fingers on your left hand (or, if you are left handed,
your right hand——either way, the hand you hold the neck
with).  For the first part, start with your index finger
on the E string, and end up with your pinky on the G
string.  For the second part, you will play this with
your index finger on the G string and your pinky finger
on the E string.

G:————4———5———6———7———8———9———10———11———12—|
D:———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———10———11———|
A:——2———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———10—————|
E:—1———2———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———————|


G:—1———2———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———————|
D:——2———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———10—————|
A:———3———4———5———6———7———8———9———10———11———|
E:————4———5———6———7———8———9———10———11———12—|


Take your time the first few times through.  Then play
it faster.  Remember to try to hold keep your fingers
in position on the neck so they support each other;
if you are cramping up your fingers doing this, your
body is sending you a message, your not using your
fingers correctly.  So again, use your fingers to
support each other (ie have at least one other finger
on the neck, holding down/ready to play a note) and
try to do what feels natural.

When you feel you've got this down, combine the two.
Again, start slow, give it a few reps all the way
through, and make sure your not cramping up your
fingers.

G:—1———————4—2———————5—3———————6—4———————7—5———————8—|
D:——2—————3———3—————4———4—————5———5—————6———6—————7——|
A:———3———2—————4———3—————5———4—————6———5—————7———6———|
E:————4—1———————5—2———————6—3———————7—4———————8—5————|

(cont.)
G:—6———————9——7————————10——8——————————11——9————————————12—|
D:——7—————8————8——————9—————9———————10—————10————————11———|
A:———8———7——————9————8———————10————9—————————11————10—————|
E:————9—6————————10—7——————————11—8————————————12—9———————|

That's all there is to it: run through this until you feel
that you've mastered the concept, you've got your timing
down, you can hold down the E string with your pinky no
problem, and you've trained your fingers to work together.

Now, pick out another tab from there that you haven't been
comfortable with before——you should notice a difference if
you have donw this correctly!

Good Luck!

—Casey

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 — Clim The Neck - Strength & Dexterity Training bass tabs