this is scarlet begonias by the dead, the way i've always played it
i didn't see it in your archive
grateful dead
scarlet begonias

this is the way i've always played it
the first line comes straight from a show they played at cornell
in 1977, phils bass booms throughout the whole song

drums and guitar come in first

I.
    B2x
—                                             /  16 x 16 x 16
—
—  2  2  2 / 14 x 14 x 14  6 7 / 9 x 9 x 9    
—

now this isnt the way phil plays it in this particular concert but 
this is how i play it and if you dont like it just change it up  
its just e to b

II.

     E                                 B                      2x
—
—           6 x 7 x 9 9                            6 7p6  0
—   7 7                                   6 x 9 x
—                                       7

   A
—
—
—
— 5 55 0 0 4 0 7  5 5 5 5 00 0 4 0 7  5  5 5 00 4 0 7  5 55 00 4 00 

repeat intro part in b then go back into e to b part and into a part, 
it does this a couple of times and then instead of going into the e 
to b part they play:
  ______
III.
    F#                     B                  / 1.     E
—       11  11 11 x 9 11                     |
—                                            |
—  9 9                                       |        / 7
—                          7 7 7  7  5 5 5  |
_________
/ 2.EF#    AB
—
—           2             4           7              9 11b1/2b11 9
—       2 4           4 6         7 9          9  11
—  0 2/4        2  4/6      5  7/9      7  9/11

the order goes like this

I 
II
I
II
I
III
II
I
II  etc...

thats all i know, usually they will go from this into fire on the 
mountain, which is a b to a progression, but its really easy to 
figure out,  so try this.  later,  jr

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 — Scarlet Begonias (ver 2) bass tabs