"Susie Q" by the Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Studio Version.
Transcribed by FMW3.  To be played with fingers full of funk.
(part 1)              Oh, Susie Q...   5x

G———||—————————————————————9—————7—————————————||
D———||*———————————————————————9—————9——7——————*||
A———||*——7——7————————5——7—————————————————10——*||
E———||—————————7——7————————————————————————————||
(part 2)  baby I love you, Susie Q

G———————————————————————————————————————|
D———7——7————————7——5——0——5/9——7—————————|
A—————————7——7———————————————————10——9——|
E———————————————————————————————————————|
(part 1)                               5x

G———||—————————————————————9—————7—————————————||
D———||*———————————————————————9—————9——7——————*||
A———||*——7——7————————5——7—————————————————10——*||
E———||—————————7——7————————————————————————————||
(variation of part 1)

G—————————————————————9—————7—————7——9——|
D————————————————————————9—————9————————|
A———7——7————————5——7————————————————————|
E—————————7——7——————————————————————————|
(another variation of part 1)

G————————————————————————————————————|
D————————————————————————————————————|
A———7——7————————5——7———————————5——7——|
E—————————7——7————————4——5——7————————|
NOTES:  I have transcribed the core of the bassline for this song.
The song is essentially made up of parts 1 and 2 of my transcription.
Stu Cook makes many variations on these 2 parts within the song (he is
a damn fine bassist).  I have given you 2 of the variations he makes of
part 1 so you can get an idea of what goes on during the song.  I did
not bohter giving you all the variations because: 1.  it would take too
much time,  2. it would take many pages of tab to cover them all, and
3.  you should focus more energy on creating your own variations to
give the song your own personal twist...after all, you are not Stu Cook,
you are yourself.  Please E mail me if you have any questions, comments,
corrections, or requests.  I am at [email protected].  Thanx.

About Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater Revival (often abbreviated CCR) was an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s with a number of successful singles drawn from various albums.

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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Creedence Clearwater Revival — Susie Q bass tabs