The Kids Are Alright Bass Tabs - Who @ BigBassTabs.com

The Kids Are Alright BASS 
By The Who
Written by Pete Townshend

Transcribed By HANIF PAYANDEH ([email protected])

Okay WHOever here's how it goes for the BASS guitar.

    I don't know if it's possible, but I think I've managed to
Oversimplify this thing. So excuse me for sounding like I'm teaching kindergarteners.

1.  The best way to learn the learn where the notes lie in the song is to strum
    in one continuous rhythm. For the sake of easiness, I have transcribed this
    so that you would be picking the string LIKE A MACHINE at exactly 240 beats
    per minute. (J.E. —obviously— doesn't play every note here, he lets certain
    notes ring out a while instead of picking it a number of times. Listen to it
    a few times will help tremendously.)
2.  Each measure is about one second. (so , [RIFF 1|, and [RIFF 2| are
    8 seconds each.)
3.  Each "——" is one quarter note.

This is the :
I don't...
  mind..          o—ther...         Girl...                         that's
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}————————|————————|——5—5———|——5———5—|5—5—5———|————————|————————|————————|
E}————————|————————|3—————3—|5———5———|——————2—|2—2—5—2—|3—3—3—0—|0—0—0—0—|

This is [RIFF 1|:
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}5—5—5—5—|5—5—5———|————5———|——5———5—|5—5—5———|——5—5———|————————|————————|
E}————————|——————3—|3—3———3—|5———5———|——————3—|3—————3—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|

This is [RIFF 2|:
  fine,           I know...         well...                         And I
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}5—5—5—5—|5—5—5———|————5———|——5———5—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|
E}————————|——————3—|3—3———3—|5———5———|————————|————————|————————|————————|

This is 
  know sometimes,   i must get...     out in the        light       Better
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
E}0—0—0—0—|0—0—0—0—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|3—3—3—3—|3—3—3—3—|2—2—2—2—|2—2—2—2—|

  leave       her behind....       al right....     the kids are       al—
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}————————|————————|————————|————————|5—5—5———|——5—5———|————————|————————|
E}0—0—0—0—|0—0—0—0—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|——————3—|3—————3—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|

—right....                      some—
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|
A}5—5—5———|——5—5———|————————|————————|
E}——————3—|3—————3—|5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|

[BRIDGE 1|
1st You play:
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|  
A}————————|————————|————————|————————| / repeat as needed until:
E}5—3—555—|3—555—5—|5—3—555—|3—555—5—|/

At end of first bridge:
G}————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|
A}————————|————————|
E}5—5—5—5—|5—5—5—5—|

[BRIDGE 2|
G}————————|————————|————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|————————|————————|  
A}————————|————————|————————|————————| / repeat as need until:
E}5—3h5—5—|3h5—5—5—|5—3h5———|3h5—5—5—|/

At end of second bridge:
G}————————|————————|
D}————————|————————|
A}————————|————————|
E}3—3—3—3—|3—3—3—3—|

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! 🎸

Forum

Who — The Kids Are Alright bass tabs