my third tab attempt I a blondie track, enjoy

kicks off with a jingly guitar and keyboard then a short drum roll to count in
gonna put lyrics on this tab, coz its a cracking laid back tune though not a happy
one
> slide up
11<9———————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—rest————————————|—9<7—————————————|—rest————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

verse 1
    Shayla                worked in a   factory                 she wasn't
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—7———————————————|—————————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—5———————————————|—————————————————|—5———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


    history            she's just a     number
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—7———————————————|—————————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—5———————————————|—————————————————|——rest———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


    one day                 she gets her final pay              and she goes
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—7———————————————|—————————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—5———————————————|—————————————————|—5———————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


    far away
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—7———————————————|—————————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—5———————————————|—————————————————|——rest———————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

bit of a fill
lots of ooing and woing

G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—6 7 6 4 6—— ————|—————6 7 6 4 6———|—————————————————|
A |——————4——————————|———————————4—————|———————————————7—|—————————————————|
E |—4—7—————7 5—————|—————————————————|—7 5—————————————|—rest————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

verse 2
as verse 1 but not the fill
  green trees, call to me
  I am free but life is so cheap
  scenery is still outside of me
  all alone trapped by its beauty

  two notes into chorus
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————  4 7———|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

chorus

    Shayla turned to run away   to leave in peace and end her stay 
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|————————————————6|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|———————————————7—|—9 7 ————9———————|—9 7 5———————————|
E |—5———————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &

     years of fear were in her way   lost in space and down she came
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|————————————————6|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|————————————————7|———9 7———9———————|——9 7 5——————————|
E |—5———————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 

short guitar riff can't work out bass line but it follows this riff
play it twice
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—7———————————————|—————————————————|
E |—5———————————————|—2———————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


verse 3
as verse 1 but after 2nd line put this little bit in
  suddenly some subtle entity
  some cosmic energy brushed her like shadows
  down here we stay to wonder
  cause on the freeway bright lights and thunder
G |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|——————9>11 9—————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————11 9l
E |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &


repeat the fill which follows verse 1 and add this little jangle


G |——13 14 13 11 13—|9————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
D |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
A |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
E |—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|—————————————————|
    1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &   1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &



done.

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! 🎸

Comments

cgraham7

2 years ago
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I believe the jangle at the end goes G-14,G-13,D-14,G-11,G-13,G-11=>Slide down to 9 is subtle. I slowed it down to half speed and it sounds right to me. Hope this helps. (Studio Version)

cgraham7

2 years ago
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Edit to my comment: There is a hammer on G-13 to G-14

cgraham7

2 years ago
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Also opening jangle is G-14 hammer on G-16, G-13 Ring out, G-14, D-14 ring out.

mr zee [author]

1 year, 10 months ago
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Thanks for the info. Not been on here much for a while.

Forum

Blondie — shayla bass tabs

How to Read Bass Tabs

1. The Basics

2. Common Techniques

3. Advanced Techniques

4. Rhythm and Timing

5. Slap and Pop

Practice Makes Perfect

Comments

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