Swamp Thing Bass Tabs - The Chameleons @ BigBassTabs.com

Tabbed By : Blackbdmillsaps
e—mail: [email protected]

Tuning: Standard (EADG)

Please note that the time in parens represents the timing and duration of each riff. 
note that these start and finish times for each riff are based on my version of the song 
may differ from you own. Otherwise the song is straight forward and easy to play.

Intro riff (Bass comes in at 0:25): (0:25—0:44)

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6———————|

Transition: (0:44—1:30) Play riff six times

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|——22222222——/44444444——/666666666666666666———————————————————————————————|

Verse: (1:38—2:06)(2:28—2:56) Play riff six times

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|—2—2—1——4—4—1——6—6—6—6—6—6———————————————————————————————————————————————|

Chorus: (2:06—2:27)(2:57—3:17)(4:06—4:25) Play Riff Four times|End With

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|———————————————|
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|———————————————|
A|—————————————————————4—4—4—4——2—2—2—2————————————————————|———————————————|
E|————2—2—2—2—2—2—2—2——————————————————————————————————————|——2———————4————|

Bridge: (3:18—3:37)(4:26—5:03) Play riff twice each time

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
A|———4—4—4—4—4—4—4—4———————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|———————————————————2—2—2—2—4—4—4—4——/6—6—6—6—6—6—6—6——2—2—2—2—4—4—4—4————|

Post Bridge: (3:38—4:05) Play riff twice each time

G|————————————————————————6—————8——————————————————————————————————————————|
D|———————————————————————————————————4—————6———————————————————————————————|
A|———4—————6———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
E|——————————————2—————4————————————————————————————————————————————————————|

Outro: (5:04—> Play until fade out

G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————|
D|——————————————————————————6—6———8——10——8———————————————6—6—6—————————————|
A|——4—4—4—4—4—4—4—4——6—6—6———————————————————————————6—6———————————————————|
E|———————————————————————————————————————————6—6—6—6———————————————————————|

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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The Chameleons — Swamp Thing bass tabs