Song: Moondance
Artist: Van Morrison
Album: Moondance (1970)
Bassist: John Klingberg
Tabber: Nick C. for BigBassTabs.com
Tuning: Standard EADG

This is simplified from the recorded version, and I've got it down one octave 
from the recording over a lot of the song, which is how I play it.  It helps 
the bass be more prevalent in a live setting.

There is a lot of room to add little runs and fills (I do a sixteenth and dotted 
eighth on the 1 a lot) — it's jazz, have some fun with it!

Intro
G|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|7———7———9———————|7———————9———————|7———8———9———9———|10——9———9———————|
A|————————————7———|————7———————7———|————————————————|————————————7———|
E|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
  1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Verse             x3                                  x3
G| ———————————————— |————————————————| ———————————————— |————————————————|
D|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————————|
A|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————————|
E| 5———————7———0——— |5———3———2———0———| 5———5———7———0——— |5———3———2———0———|
   1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4    
                  x3                                  x3
G| ———————————————— |————————————————| ———————————————— |————————————————|
D|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————————|
A|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————7———|
E| 5———0———7———0——— |5———3———2———0———| 5———6———7———0——— |5———3———2———————|
   1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4    

Pre Chorus                         x3
G| ————————————————|———————————————— |————————————————|————————————————|
D|*————————————5———|7———————————————*|————————————————|————————————————|
A|*5———7———8———————|————0———2———3———*|5———————5—5—5———|7———————7—7—7———|
E| ————————————————|———————————————— |————————————————|————————————————|
   1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Chorus
G| ————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|———————————————— |
D|*————————————————|————————————————|————5———7———————|————————————————*|
A|*————————————————|————3———5———————|7———————————————|————3———5———————*|
E| 0———3———5———————|5———————————————|————————————————|5——————————————— |
   1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Repeat Verse
Repeat Pre Chorus
Repeat Chorus

Solos:
Repeat Verse
Repeat Pre Chorus
Repeat Chorus
Repeat Verse
Repeat Pre Chorus
Repeat Chorus

Final Verse       x3                                  x3
G| ———————————————— |————————————————| ———————————————— |————————————————|
D|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————————|
A|*————————————————*|————————————————|*————————————————*|————————————————|
E| 5———5———7———0——— |5———3———2———0———| 5———0———7———0——— |5———3———2———0———|
   1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4    
                  x3
G| ———————————————— |————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
D|*————————————————*|————————————————|————————————————|————7—7—7—7—7—7—|
A|*————————————————*|————————————————|————————————————|————————————————|
E| 5———6———7———0——— |5———3———2———0———|5———5———5—5—5———|5———————————————|
   1   2   3   4     1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    1   2   3   4    

Play along to the recording:

About Van Morrison

Van Morrison, OBE (born George Ivan Morrison; 31 August 1945) is a critically acclaimed Northern Irish singer and songwriter with a reputation for being stubborn and idiosyncratic. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely viewed as among the greatest ever made.

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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Van Morrison — Moondance (ver 4) bass tabs