"Two Step" by the Dave Matthews band from the album "Crash"
Bass line transcribed by Brian Cieszynski ([email protected])
There are a couple existing versions of this bassline on the
OLGA, but I sat down with sheet music and a video of Stefan
playing this song and the following tab I see as the most
correct by far. This tab is set for a 5—string, but
just ignore the bottom line for this song, as it is played on
a 4—string. The 5—string frame is set into my computer and
I didn't remove the bottom line for this song, and as I said,
just ignore it. Enjoy!
Intro—Guitar, Bass Tacet
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|——————————————————————|———5————————————7————3———|
|5—————————————————————|—————————————————————————| Rhy. Fig. I 5x
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|5———————5————3————————|—5—————————5——————3——————| Rhy. Fig. II 5x
|————5——————5——————————|——————5————————5—————————|
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|3———3———3————0————————|—2———2———————————————————|
|——3———3———3—————0—————|—————————————————————————| Rhy. Fig. III
|——————————————————————|———————————5—5——3——3—————|
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|—————————————5—————5———|——3————5——3————1————————|
|1——————1———————————————|—————————————————————3——|
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|——————————————————0——2—|2——2——2——2——————————————|
|———3—————3—————3———————|————————————1——1————————|
|1—————1—————1——————————|——————————————————3——3——|
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|———————————5————5——————|——3———5——3——————————————|
|1————1—————————————————|——————————————1—————3———|
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|—————————————1——————1——|————————————————————————| End Rhy. Fig. 3
|1—————1————————————————|5—————5——————3———————3——|
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W/Rhy. Fig II, 2x
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|3—————3—————3—————0———|2——2——2——2———————————————|
|———3—————3—————3—————0|————————————3——3——3——1———| Rhy. Fig. 3A
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|—————————————5——————5—|—3————5——3——————1————————|
|1——————1——————————————|————————————————————3————|
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|——————————————————0——2|2——2——2——2———————————————|
|———3—————3—————3——————|————————————3——3——3——1———|
|1—————1—————1—————————|—————————————————————————|
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|——————————————5—————5—|—3—————5——————1——————————|
|1——————1——————————————|———————————————————————3—|
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|——————————————1————1—0|0————0——0————————————0———| End Rhy. Fig. 3A
|1——————1——————————————|——————————————3—————————3|
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|—————————————————(0)*—|—————————————————————————|
|——————————————————5———|—————————————————————————|
|—————————3——3—3——————3|————————————1——0——1——0——0| Rhy. Fig. 4 4x
|1————1—1——————————————|3———————3—3——————————————|
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|————————————5——5——5——5|3——3——3——3——1——1——1——1———| Rhy. Fig. 5
|1——1——1——1————————————|—————————————————————————|
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* = Alternate way of playing this note
Questions/comments send to [email protected]

About Dave Matthews Band

Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is an American rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. Founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, violinist Boyd Tinsley, drummer Carter Beauford, and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. In August 2008, LeRoi Moore died due to complications from an ATV accident. Grammy Award-winner Jeff Coffin, of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, has since filled Moore's spot as the band's saxophonist. Rashawn Ross and Tim Reynolds have also become full time touring members of the band. With musicians who each have roots in differing genres, including jazz, classical, soul, rock, bluegrass, and hip-hop, the band has come together to create an eclectic sound which has earned them fans from a variety of quarters.

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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Dave Matthews Band — Two Steps bass tabs