Our Lips Are Sealed Bass Tabs - Go Gos @ BigBassTabs.com

Bass tab
Song:   Our Lips Are Sealed
Album:  Beauty And The Beat (1981 I.R.S. Records)
Artist: The Go—Go's
Written by: (J. Wiedlin/T. Hall)
Transcription by Jake Schneider
Lyrics courtesy of S Terry
(http://www.gogosfan.demon.co.uk/)
 
This file is my "own work".  This is my interpretation of how I think
the bass lines should sound.
 
questions/comments:  [email protected]
http://www.centurytel.net/neighbors
 
Get out your Fender Precision, a pick, and have some fun.  The tabbing is not
exact in places in regards to the exact times you play each note (I'm assuming
that you have a recording, or are familiar with the tune in some way.  These
girls didn't take the time to tune A440, the recording's a bit sharp I
believe.  Last I checked however, they're American.
 
Intro with just Guitar and Drums.  Bass does a slide from low—high—low
(it's called a buh—wow in drummer/bass player talk)
 
Verse (bass line played over G#5, F#5, C#)
G————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D———————6———3——————————4——1——————————————————————————————————————————————|
A——————————————6—————————————4———3—4...——————————————————4—4—3—3—1—1—1—1—|
E————4——————————————2————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
 
Can you hear them, They talk about us 
Telling lies, Well that's no surprise 
 
Can you see them, See right through them 
They have no shield, No secrets to reveal 
 
Chorus (played over E5, C#5, A5, D#5, G#5, C#5, G#5)
 
G————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A———7—7—7—9—7————4—4—4—6—4—————————6...————————————4...——————————————————|
E—————————————————————————————5...——————————4...—————————4...————————————|
 
Bridge (sounds best without a pick, strum with thumb over the fretboard)
played over a G#
G———————13—12—13—12————————|
D————————————————————13————|
A——11——————————————————————|
E——————————————————————————|

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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Go Gos — Our Lips Are Sealed bass tabs