Band: Rage Against The Machine
Album: Self—Titled
Song: Township Rebellion
Tuning: Drop D (G, D, A, D)
This Correction By: Niall 'Uncle Clitsta' ([email protected]) 
formally known as clitz
Previously Tabbed by: R. Allen Canterbury
Note: someone requested it on BTA, I thought wtf? coz it was already there
but there was some mistakes.
What a lot of people dont realise is that Tim uses a lot of bass chords.

Canterbury's Note:—
This is a pretty cool song, but it sounds kinda weird with the bendy thing
going on at the beginning.  What I call Fig 1. is something that sounds like
it might fit w/ the song.  I don't know if the guitar plays that part w/ an
octaver or not.  5b means fret 5, pluck, bend up 1/2 step.  Listen to the song
to get the rhythm of that part.  You may want to use light distortion too 
(which leads me to believe the guitar plays that part.).  If the guitar does
actually play Fig 1., then the bass just rests during those parts.

Legend
———————
~   — Let Note Ring
/   — Slide
(2) — Ghoste Note
2.  — Staccato
3h5 — Hammer On
7   = Bass
5   = Chord
5b  = Bend (1/2 step in this song)

   intro                Fig 1 *With Distortion and Filter 
|G|———————————————————|———————————————————————————|
|D|——7——7——7——7———————|*—————————————————————————*|
|A|——5——5——5——5—5.—R——|*———5b——5b——5b——5b———5b———*|
|D|———————————————————|———————————————————————————|
                     
    Fig 2.
|G|———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
|D|*——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
|A|*——3—5————————3—5——————————————3—5————————3—5————————5———————3—5————————3—5|
|D|————————0——0———————0——0——3——5———————0——0———————0——0—————2—————————0——0—————|

                                            (x2)
|G|———————————————————————————————————————————————|———————————————————————|
|D|—————————————————————————————————5b——5——3——0——*|————7——7——7——7——7——————|
|A|——————————————3—5————————3—5——————————————————*|————5——5——5——5——5——5——|
|D|——0——0——3——5———————0——0———————0————————————————|——0————————————————————|

                                          Gtr. Solo
|G|—————————————|————————|———————————————|——————————————|——————————————|
|D|—Fig—1—(x?)——|——Rest——|——Fig—2——(x2)——|——Fig—1—(x?)——|——Fig—2—(x2)——|
|A|—————————————|————————|———————————————|——————————————|——————————————|
|D|—————————————|————————|———————————————|——————————————|——————————————|

            Fig 3                          (x3)
|G|————————|———————————————————————————————————————————|
|D|——Rest——|*—————————————————————————————————————————*|
|A|————————|*—3h5—5—5—5———————————5—5—5—5—————————————*|
|D|————————|————————————0—0—0—0———————————0—0—0—0—3—5——|

                            (x?)                    (x8)
|G|—————————————————————————————————|—————————————————————————|———————————————|
|D|*———————————————————————————————*|*———————————————————————*|——Fig—2——(x2)——|
|A|*—3h5—5—5—5—5———————————————————*|*—3h5—5—5—5—————————————*|———————————————|
|D|——————————————0—0—0—0—0—3—3—5—5——|————————————0—0—0—0—3—5——|———————————————|

Outro (Last 3 Bars)
|G|—————————————————————|————————————————————|———————————|
|D|—————5b——5——3————————|—7——————————7———————|————7—————|
|A|———————————————5—————|—5——————————5———————|————5—————|
|D|——0———————————————0——|————————————————————|———————————|

Enjoy

>From Clitsta!

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 — Township Rebellion bass tabs