Artist: Bob Marley
Song: Walk The Proud Land
Album: Talkin' Blues
Tabbed By: Rahmin Pavlovic (bassist@insite—out.com)

The main bassline for the tune goes like:

G——————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————
A—7—57—57——————————7—57—57—————————
E—————————5(5)5(5)—————————5(5)5(5)

It's a simple reggae riff and it's real easy to vary. The notes in
parenthesis are optional (bom, ba—bom bom vs. bom, bom). The 57—57 is
sometimes left out, and that's usually when you'd quadrouple up on the E(5).
Drop/fill notes out/in as the groove takes you.

The tune drops into the key of B every now and then for a couple rounds:

G——————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————
A——————————————————————————————————
E—7—57—57—0(0)0(0)—7—57—57—0(0)0(0)

..but it kinda sounds like he's using a 5—string:

G——————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————
A——————————————————————————————————
E—7—57—57——————————7—57—57—————————
B—————————5—3—5(5)—————————5—3—5(5)

I don't have a 5—string, so I play the 1st variation on the 2nd part.

About Bob Marley

Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley (February 6, 1945 May 11, 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for the ska, rocksteady and reggae bands The Wailers (19641974) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (19741981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited for helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.

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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Bob Marley — Walk The Proud Land (ver 2) bass tabs