Song: Blue Monk
Artist: Thelonious Monk 
Album: Thelonious Monk Trio (1954)
Bassist (original recording credit): Percy Heath
Bassist (in linked video): Larry Gales
Tabber:  Nick C. for BigBassTabs.com
Tuning: Standard EADG

Note:  This is what I play to this song.  Percy Heath played an upright, and is 
constantly doing fills and runs, some of which I attempt but haven’t tabbed out.
Find what feels/sounds good to you and go with it.  When you play a 23 minute 
version of the song you'll want to mix things up a bit.  

The solo is completely mine – it fits the song but isn’t in the recording.  The
few times I’ve played this live I’ve been given the space to solo, and that’s 
what I go with.  

  Bb               Eb               Bb               Bb
G|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————5———8———5———|————————————5———|8———5———————————|
A|————5———8———5———|6———————————————|————5———8———————|————————8———5———|
E|6———————————————|————————————————|6———————————————|————————————————|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

  Bb               Eb               Bb               Bb
G|————————————5———|8———5———————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————5———8———————|————————8———5———|————————————5———|8———5———————————|
A|6———————————————|————————————————|————5———8———————|————————8———5———|
E|————————————————|————————————————|6———————————————|————————————————|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

  Bb               Eb               Bb               Bb
G|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————7——10———7———|————————————————|————————————————|
A|————7———10——7———|8———————————————|————5———6———7———|8———6———5———————|
E|8———————————————|————————————————|6———————————————|————————————8———|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Solo
  Bb               Eb               Bb               Bb
G|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————5—————5—8———|————————————————|8—8—8—8—8—8—8—8—|
A|————5—————5—8———|6———————6———————|————5—————5—8—8—|————————————————|
E|6———————6———————|————————————————|6———————6———————|————————————————|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

  Eb               Eb               Bb               Bb
G|————————8———————|———————8————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————5—————8—5———|———5—————8—5————|————————8———————|8—8—8—8—————————|
A|6———————————————|6———————————————|————5—————5—8———|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|6———————————————|————————6—6—6—6—|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

  C7               F7               Bb               F7
G|————————————————|————————————————|——————8—6———————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————7———6—5—————|————8—————6—————|————————————————|
A|————7———————7———|8———————————9—8—|——6—————————8———|8—8—8—8—7—6—————|
E|8———————8———————|————————————————|6—————————————9—|————————————9—8—|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Play along with the track here:

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! 🎸

Comments

Lazy Bass Man

6 years, 1 month ago
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In this video is “Larry Gales”, not “Percy Heath”!!!

Lazy Bass Man

6 years, 1 month ago
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In this video is “Larry Gales”, not “Percy Heath”!!!

2nick3 [author]

5 years, 7 months ago
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Thanks Lazy Bass Man - I didn't see credit to Larry Gales, just Percy Heath on the recording. I'll update the tab to give credit to both of them.

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Thelonious Monk — Blue Monk bass tabs