Slide into (only hit the string once)
# G——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# D——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# A———3/////9/////3——————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# E——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
You can probably tell when he does ^^that^^ in the song.

Main bass—line
# G——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# D——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# A——3—3——————————5—3————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# E—————3—3—1——1—3———————————————————————————————————————————————————#
The bass—line above this text is played in full three times, then the first 
half is played once (stop after the first "1"). After that, listen to the 
song for an exact count of how many times he plays it.

#    "...Don't touch that dial"
# G——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# D——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————#
# A—3—3———————————————————3——————————————————————————————————————————#
# E——————3—3———1—1———3—3—————————————————————————————————————————————#
The words are lined right up w/ the notes. Matt only does this trick once.

About Reel Big Fish

Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California, best known for the 1997 hit "Sell Out." The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s, during the third wave of ska with the release of the album Turn the Radio Off. Founding member Aaron Barrett has been with the band since 1992, and horn players Dan Regan and Scott Klopfenstein have been involved with the band for more than 14 years.

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! 🎸

Forum

Reel Big Fish — S R bass tabs