This is one the coolest bass riffs done by D'Arcy from the Smashing Pumpkins

Tuning: Half—step down (Eb Ab Db Gb)

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~ = let ring
XhY = play X and hammer onto Y
XpY = play X and pull—off onto Y
X/Y = slide from X up to Y
XY = slide from X down to Y
* = bend
X> = repeat X several times
(X) = play X gently and quickly

Intro and verse:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x8
Ab|——2—2—0—2—2———————————————0—0—0—0———————————
Eb|—————————————3—3—0—0—0—0————————————————————

the world is a vampire
sent to drain
secret destroyers
hold you up to the flames
and what do i get
for my pain
betrayed desires
and a piece of the game

Pre—chorus:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x3
Ab|——2—2—2—————————————————————0—0—0—0—————————
Eb|————————0—0—0—0—0——3—3—3—3——————————————————

even though i know
i suppose i'll show
all my cool and cold

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x1
Ab|—2—2—2——————————0—0—0—0—————————————————————
Eb|————————3—3—3———————————————————————————————

like old job

Chorus:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x4
Ab|——2—2—0——————————5—5—5——————————7/0—————————
Eb|—————————3—3—3——————————5—5—5————————3~—————

despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
then someone will say what is lost can never be saved
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x1
Ab|————————————————————————————————————————————
Eb|——2—0—2/5~——————————————————————————————————

Then play the verse again:

now i'm naked
nothing but an animal
but can you fake it
for just one more show
and what do you want
i want to change
and what have you got
when you feel the same

Then the pre—chorus:

even though i know
i suppose i'll show
all my cool and cold
like old job

Then the chorus:

despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
then someone will say what is lost can never be saved
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't play the last line this time around. instead, go into the interlude

Interlude:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x4
Ab|——2—0—2/5~——————————————————————————————————
Eb|————————————2—0—2/5~————————————————————————

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x5
Ab|————————————————————————————————————————————
Eb|——0—0—3—3—3—3——2—0—2/5—5—5—5————————————————

tell me i'm the only one
tell me there's no other one
jesus was an only son
tell me i'm the chosen one
jesus was an only son for you.......
 
Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x1
Ab|————————————————————————————————————————————
Eb|——0—0—3—3—3——2>—————————————————————————————

(continued) you...........

There's no bass through the next part:

despirte all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
despirte all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
then someone will say what is lost can never be saved
despirte all my rage i am still just a rat in a CAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Play the following when the last CAGE is screamed:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x1
Ab|————————————————————————————————————————————
Eb|——2—0—2/5~——————————————————————————————————

Outro:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x11
Ab|——2—2—0——————————5—5—5——————————0———————————
Eb|—————————3—3—3——————————5—5—5———————————————

despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a
despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage
tell me i'm the only one
tell me there's no other one
jesus was an only son for you
(rest)
and i still believe that i cannot be saved
and i still believe that i cannot be saved
and i still believe that i cannot be saved
and i still believe that i cannot be saved

End:

Gb|————————————————————————————————————————————
Db|————————————————————————————————————————————  x1
Ab|——7/0———————————————————————————————————————
Eb|———————3~——2~~/0—————————————————————————————

About Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar) and James Iha (guitar, backing vocals), the band has included D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jimmy Chamberlin (drums, percussion), and Melissa Auf der Maur (bass guitar) amongst its membership.

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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Smashing Pumpkins — Bullet With Butterfly Wings bass tabs