Song — Half Day Closing (Live) 
Band — Portishead
Album — PNYC (1998)

This is what I have interpreted from the song. I tabbed it from 
the live version so it might be different to the original. This 
is pretty much correct (hopefully), you just have to get the timming 
correct and it's all sweet from there. Enjoy !


Intro

E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1——5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4————————————————————————————————————————————
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————


E|———————————————3——3——2——2—4—2—1——1——5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————


E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1—2—3—5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (In the days, the golden days..)

E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1—2—3—5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Through the times of lasting love..)

Chorus

E|———————————————3——3——2——2—4—2—1——1——5——5——0——0——2——2———2——2———
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Dreams and belief have gone, Time, life itself goes on)


E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1—2—3—5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Far beyond the shrinking skies..)


E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1—2—3—5——5——0——0——2———2———2———2———
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Underneath the fading sun..)


E|———————————————3——3——2——2—4—2—1——1——5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Dreams and belief have gone, Time, life itself goes on)


E|———————————————3——3——2——2——1——1—2—3—5——5——0——0——2———2———2———2———
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————


E|———————————————3——3——2——2—4—2—1——1——5——5——0——0——3——3—2—3—1——
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
    (Dreams and belief have gone, Time, life itself goes on)


E|———————————————3——3——2——2—4—2—1——1——5——5——0——0——3(x16)—— 
A|——1——1——/4——4———————————————————————————————————————————
D|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
G|————————————————————————————————————————————————————————


When I say (x16) I mean play the 3rd fret 16 times not the whole bar 16 times.

About Portishead

Coordinates: 51°29?02?N 2°45?45?W? / ?51.4840°N 2.7626°W? / 51.4840; -2.7626PortisheadPortishead viewed from Naish HillPortishead Portishead shown within SomersetPopulation22,000 OS grid referenceST470764ParishPortishead and North WestonUnitary authorityNorth SomersetCeremonial countySomersetRegionSouth WestCountryEnglandSovereign stateUnited KingdomPost townBRISTOLPostcode districtBS20Dialling code01275PoliceAvon and SomersetFireAvonAmbulanceGreat WesternEU ParliamentSouth West EnglandUK ParliamentWoodspringList of places: UK England Somerset

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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Portishead — Half Day Closing bass tabs