Title: Pusherman
Artist: Curtis Mayfield
Tabbed by: Allan Fretz ([email protected])
Comments: Dave St.Germain ([email protected]) transcibed 
the verse previously. Sorry there is no rhythmic notation.

Verse:
                                                                        
G———————————————————————||——————————————————————||
D————————3——1———————————||*—————3——1———————————*||
A——————————————3——1——3——||*———————————3——1——3——*||
E——1——1—————————————————||———1——————————————————||
                                                                        
Some variations for guitar solo:
(Not exactly what's played. Jam some of your own out.)
                                                                        
G——————————————————————————|————————————————————|
D————————3—————3———————————|—————3——————————————|
A———————————1————————0——1——|———————————1——2——3——|
E——1——1———————————4————————|——1—————4———————————|
                                                                        
Chorus:
                                                    3x 
G||——————————————————|——————————————|———————————————||
D||*———————————8h10——|——8——6————————|——————————————*||
A||*————————8————————|————————8——4——|———————————4——*||
E||———6——8———————————|——————————————|——6——4——6——————||
                                                                       
G—————————————————|——————————————|——————————————|
D———————————8h10——|——8——6————————|——————————————|
A————————8————————|————————8——4——|——————————————|
E——6——8———————————|——————————————|——6——4——6——4——|

And back to the verse:

G———————————————————————||——————————————————————||
D————————3——1———————————||*—————3——1———————————*||
A——————————————3——1——3——||*———————————3——1——3——*||
E——1——1—————————————————||———1——————————————————||


========================================================================
==                       TABLATURE EXPLANATION                        ==
========================================================================

——————————                ——————————                ————t———
————5h8——— Hammeron       ————(8)——— Ghost          ————6——— Tap
——————————                —————————— Note           ————————
————5p8——— Pulloff        ——————————                ————————

——————————                ——————————                —————p——
————5/8——— Slide Up       —————x———— Dead           —————7—— Pop
——————————                —————————— Note           ——s—————
————58——— Slide Down     ——————————                ——5————— Slap 

——————————                ||——————|| Repeat         ————————
————5~~~—— Vibrato        ||*————*||                ———5^——— Bend
——————————                ||*————*||                ————————
——————————                ||——————||                ————————

——————————                ——————————                ————————
—4:——————— Time           ——————————                ————————
—4:——————— Signature      ——————————                ————————
——————————                ——————————                ————————

Rhythm:
  w = whole note            W = dotted whole
  h = half note             H = dotted half
  q = quarter note          Q = dotted quarter
  e = eighth note           E = dotted eighth
  s = sixteenth note        S = dotted sixteenth
  t = 32nd note             T = dotted 32nd
  x = 64th note             X = dotted 64th
  ^ = triplet

========================================================================
==            Created with a demo version of BUCKET O' TAB            ==
==              tablature creation software for Windows               ==
==                  For more info email [email protected]                   ==
========================================================================

About Curtis Mayfield

Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 December 26, 1999) was an American soul, rhythm and blues, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions and composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly. From these works and others, he is highly regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious African-American music. He was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums.

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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Curtis Mayfield — Pusherman bass tabs