Sergeant Baker Bass Tabs - Primus @ BigBassTabs.com

From: [email protected] (Dave Walker)
Subject: BTAB: Sergeant Baker by PRIMUS

Okay, I'm finally getting around to typing in those bass
tabs I've been promising ya'll for months.  It's my first attempt at
posting tabs so please be gentle. ;)  I tried to use spaces to represent
the timing of the music, but I'm sure it's not perfect.  When in doubt,
listen to the CD.  Also, I went into a lot of detail on which riffs to play
when.  It may be too much detail.  Again, when in doubt, listen to Les play
it.

I'm posting my tabs in the same format that Jeffrey Swing (The Swingman)
uses.  Thus, I will adopt his notation:

Key to notation:
    h — hammer—on from previous note
     — slide up to note
    S — slap the note with the right—hand thumb 
    V — downstroke strum
    ^ — upstroke strum
|—3—| — triplets (symbol above the staff)


SERGEANT BAKER from "Sailing the Seas of Cheese"
Song by PRIMUS;  Tablature by Dave Walker
———————

One of the coolest songs from "Sailing the Seas of Cheese," Sergeant Baker
is fairly easy and straight—forward to play.  It can be played using a
4—string; however, I find it MUCH easier on a 5—string.

The beginning riff is very simple.  It is played very freely; listen to the
CD for timing.

Beginning riff                          play 2x
E|——————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|*———————2—————————————————————————2———————————|
D|———————————3——2——1———————————————————3———————|
G|*—(0)—0—————————————3——0321/5——0—————————1————|
B|——————————————————————————————————————————————|
(X) = This note is only played the first time.

E|——————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|————————2—————————————————————————2——————————*|
D|———————————3——2——1———————————————————3———————|
G|——————0—————————————3——0321/5——0—————————2#——*|
B|——————————————————————————————————————————————|
# = This note is slapped the second time.

              play 3x               whistle blows
E|————————————————————|    |————————————————————|
A|*——————————7———————*|    |————————————————————|
D|———————6—————9——————|    |———————6————————————|
G|*————9—————————————*|    |—————9——————————————|
B|———7————————————————|    |———7————————————————|

The rest of the song is basically variations on the same basic riffs (with
some typical off—the—wall ad libbing by Les).  I tabbed out the basic riffs
below, and then I list which ones should be played in order (although you
can mix it up however you want).

Riff 1A:           V  ^
E|—————————————————9—10—11h——————|
A|———————————7—————9—10—11h——————|
D|———————6—————9—————————————————|
G|—————9—————————————————————————|
B|———7———————————————————————————|

Riff 1B:           V   ^
E|—————————————————9——10—————————|
A|———————————7—————9——10—————————|
D|———————6—————9—————————————————|
G|—————9—————————————————————————|
B|———7———————————————————————————|

Riff 2A:
E|———————————————————————————————|
A|———————————7———————————————————|
D|———————6—————9—————————————————|
G|—————9—————————————————————————|
B|———7—————————————9S—10S—9S—7S——|

Riff 2B:
E|———————————————————————————————|
A|———————————————————————————————|
D|———————6———————————————————————|
G|—————9—————————————————————————|
B|———7————————————————10S—9S—7S——|

Okay, now play the above riffs as follows:

1A, 2A, 1A, 2A, 1Bx2, 1A, 2A, 1Bx11 (ad lib added on last one)
1B, 2A, 1B, 2B

1A, 2A, 1A

and then...
              |—3—|
E|———————————————————13——————————|
A|————————————————11—————————————|
D|———————6——9—999————————————————|
G|—————9—————————————————————————|
B|———7—————————————————————

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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Primus — Sergeant Baker bass tabs