This is Bertha. I learned this song off the Dead's album "Grateful Dead". Its a live
album, therefore the song is live. Unfortunately, there is no studio recording of
Bertha. The good news is the recording in the album is about as good as it gets. I
strongly suggest playing along with the recording first and get your bearings strait.
Good Luck!



Main Part/ Intro

(NOTE: muting on the first note is optional. Its just a habit I got into when playing
the song.)

G|————————————|———————————|
D|——————5——5—5|——————5—5——|
A|—X—5h7—7————|—X—5h7—————|
E|————————————|———————————|

I call this part "The root". This part will be played TWO TIMES between other parts. 
( It will be played once after the chorus). This part is also played in the beginning
when Lesh starts off after Jerry and Bill.

Second Part

G|—————5——5—5|——————5—5——|
D|X—5h7—7————|—X—5h7—————|
A|———————————|———————————|
E|———————————|———————————|

 This part is the same as the root, only difference is that everything moved up a
sting. You play this twice after the root/ main part. Again, mutes are optional

Third Part

G|———————————|—————————|
D|———————————|—————————|
A|——————3—3—3|——————3—3|
E|—X—3h5—5———|—X—5h7———|

 Again, you play this part after you've played the root twice. You also play this
part twice. If you listen to the recording, there is a tail into the chorus and its
hard for me to explain since I'm new to making TABS.

Chorus

G|———————|—————————|—————————————————————|—————————|
D|——————7|———5—————|—————————————————————|——————5—5|
A|5—5————|————3—4—5|3—3———————5—5—3—3—0—3|———3—3———|
E|———5—5—|3—3——————|———3—3—0—3———————————|5—5——————|


The two 5's at the end is a tail into the root again.


IMPORTANT NOTE: the only reason I divided the song/ parts into sections is so that
you can practice certain parts and then move on to the next one. For example, in the
chorus, practice the first measure and get it mastered and then move on to the
second. ALSO: It is also REALLY important that you listen to the song to get an
understanding to the layout and the sound of the song.

LAYOUT

Intro

Second Part x2

Root x2

Third Part x2

Root x2

Second Part x2

Root x2

Third Part x1

Chorus

Root x1

Second Part x2

Repeat from first Root

Towards the end of the song, they (the Dead) repeat the chorus a few times and then
play the Root part until the end.



 bigbasstabs.

About Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, jazz, psychedelia, and space rockand for live performances of long musical improvisation. "Their music," writes Lenny Kaye, "touches on ground that most other groups don't even know exists."

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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Grateful Dead — Bertha bass tabs