Pigs in Zen
by Jane's Addiction

Here's the basics for this song, and you can do your own little variations 
on the parts, because Eric Avery does a lot of little things and I'm not 
going to waste my time tabbing them out because it just doesn't matter 
that much, you should be able to improvise and have fun with it on your 
own without having to copy him detail for detail.

Intro

General fooling around, then this right before it starts...

 Guitar comes in...
|———————————————|————————————————|
|———————————————|————————————————|
|———————————————|————————————————|
|—3——3—3——3—3—3—|—3——3—3——3—3—3——|

Main Riff
x?
|—————————————————|
|*———————————————*|
|*———————————2—0—*|
|——0—2——0—2———————|

This main riff is really simple, but you can do some nice fills with it

Chorus
   x?
|————————————————————|
|*——————————————————*|
|*——————2—2—2—2—2—2—*|
|——2—2———————————————|

Then back to the main riff, then chorus, etc. and right before the solo 
comes this

                                         x2?
|————————————————————————————|———————————————|
|*————————5p3————————————————|—Main Riff x2—*|
|*—5—5—5—5———5p3—2—2—2—2—2—2—|——————————————*|
|————————————————————————————|———————————————|

And on the third? time you play it, play this instead of the main riff
  E|000000000000|
                Take off...(Solo)

And for the solo, just play the main riff over and over, then the chorus, 
then they break it down to just the bass and drums, etc... just listen to 
the song and you'll know what to play.

Questions, Comments email me at [email protected]

About Jane's Addiction

Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1985, the band's original lineup featured Perry Farrell (vocals), Dave Navarro (guitar), Eric Avery (bass) and Stephen Perkins (drums). After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001; both times with Avery declining to participate. In 2008, the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Avery, reunited and embarked on a world tour. Avery subsequently left the band in early 2010 as the group began work on new material.

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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Jane's Addiction — Pigs In Zen bass tabs