Born of a Broken Man by Rage Against the Machine

Tabbed by Paul Fivey [email protected]

Sorry to have to correct you Laura but if you're gonna be 
a smart ass about other people's wrong tabs, you really
shouldn't make a fool of yourself by posting the wrong corrections.
Hopefully, the guy who originally tabbed it realises this.

If you need help with any RATM songs please feel free to email me and ask.

Here's how to actually play this song (N.B. Drop D tuning):

There is no bass in the verses. 

Chorus riff:

N.B. try prebending and releasing the G# note on the 5th fret 1st string.

G———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D———————————————————————————————————————————————————
A———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D—0———6/5—3—0——7—0—0——3—0——x—x—x—x—3—0——7—0—0——3—0——

In the bridge they play

G———————————————————————
D———————————————————————
A———————————————————————
D—0—0—0—0—0—0—0—————————   three times

then:

G———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D———————————————————————————————————————————————————
A———————————————————————————————————————————————————
D—0———6/5—3—0——7—0—0——3—0——x—x—x—x—3—0——7—0—0——3—0——

East as that.

I'd suggest playing the muted notes as close to the nut as possible to get the right
sound with no harmonics.

About Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rap metal band formed in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. They are notable for their innovative blend of alternative rock, punk rock, hip hop, heavy metal and funk as well as their leftist politics and lyrics. Rage Against the Machine drew inspiration from early heavy metal instrumentation, as well as rap acts such as Afrika Bambaataa, Public Enemy and Urban Dance Squad.

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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Rage Against The Machine — Born Of A Broken Man bass tabs