"Heartbreaker"
as recorded by The Cardigans
From the album "First Band On The Moon"
Music written by Peter Svensson
Lyrics written by Nina Persson

Transcribed by Mark Hirstwood ([email protected]) March 28, 1997
Comments:  I tried to write down Magnus' bass line as close as possible
to the recording and I indicated the implied chords for the progression
the first time through.  With its sweet—sounding arrangement turning sour only
in the end, "Heartbreaker" is another fine example of The Cardigans incredibly
listenable material.

Bass
3/4 time

intro                    verse pattern
                    (Aflat) (Bflat)          (Aflat)          (Bflat)
———————————————————————————|——————————————————————————————————————————————
—————6—————————————6———————|————————6———————————————————————6—————————————
———————5——————————————5————|———————————————————5——6———————————————————5——6
—4———————————4—————————————|————4——————4—6————————————4———————4———6———————


————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
——————6————————————————————————6———————————————6————————————————————6———————————
——————————————————5——6————————————————5—6—————————————————5——6——————————————5——6
—4——————4—6——————————————4——————4—6———————4——————4————6———————4—————4———6———————


—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
——————6—————————————————————————————————4————————————————————————
———————————————————————5————6—————————————————————5——————3——————1
—4———————4—————6——————————————————4————————4—————————————————————

pre—chorus pattern
(Bdim)                        (A)     (D)
———————4—————————————————————————————————
————————————2————————————————————————————
—2 ——————2—————————————————————————————5—
———————————————————————————————5—————————
No, not again.               A loser I am.

Chorus pattern
(G)           (B)     (C)            (D)     (Eflat)     (F)        (Bflat)        (D)
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
——————————————————————————————————————————————1———————————3—————————————————————————0——
———————————————2———2——3—————————4————5———————————————————————————————1—————————————————
—3———————————3—————————————————————————————————————————————————————1———————————————————(repeat)


verse pattern#2

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
———————6———————————————————————6————————————————————6—————————————6———————————
——————————————————5——6———————————————————5——6———————————5—6————————————————5——
—4———————4————6——————————4——————4———6——————————4—————6——————4—————4———6——————6

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
—————6—————————————————————————6—————————————————————————
——————————————————5———6————————————————————5—5——6—6——8—8—
4——————4——————6———————————4——————4——6—6——————————————————


outro
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
————————6———————————————————6———————————————6—————————————————6—————
——————————————5——————————————————5——————————————5—————————————————5—
—4———————————————————4—————————————————4————————————————4———————————

About Cardigans

The Cardigans was a critically-acclaimed Swedish band formed in the town of Jönköping in 1992. The band's musical style has varied greatly from album to album and encompasses their early indie leanings passing through '60s-inspired pop and more band-based rock.

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

Cardigans — Heartbreaker bass tabs