Downpressor Man Bass Tabs - Tosh, Peter @ BigBassTabs.com

If you like reggae music, you'll really like playing this song.

Artist: PETER TOSH ('the mystic man')
Song:   DOWNPRESSOR MAN
Album:  EQUAL RIGHTS

Instrument: Bass 

Transcribed and Submitted by: CHRISTOPHER EMRY ('homegrown')


%%% INTRO %%% {PLAY 2 TIMES WITH THE *(5) ONLY ON 
               THE LAST TIME LEADING INTO BOUNCE #1}
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D—————————5——5——7—5—7————7———5—7———————————
A———5——7———————————————————7————————*(5)———
E——————————————————————————————————————————      

%%% BOUNCE #1 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————————————
A—————————————————5———————————————————————— 
E———3—3—3———3—3—3——————————————————————————

%%% BOUNCE #2 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————————————
A—————————————————3————————————————————————
E———3—3—3———3—3—3——————————————————————————

%%% BOUNCE #3 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D——————————————————————————————————————————
A—————————————————3————————————————————————
E———1—1—1———1—1—1——————————————————————————                                

%%% BOUNCE #4 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————  
D——————————————————————————————————————————
A—————————————————5————————————————————————
E———1—1—1———1—1—1——————————————————————————

%%% RUN #1 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D—————————3——————————————7——5——————————————
A———3——5—————5——3——3——5—————————*(5)———————
E——————————————————————————————————————————

%%% RUN #2 %%%
G——————————————————————————————————————————
D—————————3————————————————————————————————
A———3——5—————5——3———————————3——————————————
E——————————————————1——1——1—————1———————————


>>>> This is the entire song.  It would be nearly impossible
     for me to tell you what order they are in, but if you 
     are a good bassist and devoted to reggae music (or any
     type of music for that matter), you should do just fine.  

     ('homegrown')

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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Tosh, Peter — Downpressor Man bass tabs