Standard tuning (EADG)
~ = let ring
 Part 1
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|——0——00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00—00——0—————————|

Part 2

G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|——5——55—55—55—55—55—55—55——5—0——00—00—00—00—00—00—00—0——————————|


Part 3

G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|——7—77—77—77—7——5—55—55—55—5——0—00—00—00—00—00—5—7—|

Structure:
Part 1 X 1
Part 2 X 1
Part 3 X 1


keep doing this ^^^^ until you want to end your blues song
but when you end it after the final 7 of part 3 play an open note and let it ring like |——5—7—0~——————|

This is the easiest and simplest version of the 12 bar blues
ideal for begginers, before the complex versions.

Tabbed by cragz



 bigbasstabs.

About Blues

Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre created primarily within the African-American communities in the Deep South of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressionsthe twelve-bar blues chord progressions being the most commonand the blue note, notes that for expressive purposes are sung or played flattened or gradually bent (minor 3rd to major 3rd) in relation to the pitch of the major scale.

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! 🎸

Forum

Blues — 12 Bar Blues bass tabs