Looking for, finding, using tabs

[Minotauros]

I see posts asking for tabs for this or that song, and I'm wondering...

Are the tabs being asked for the exact tabs (or as close as possible) to the original recording, or are they tabs/chord sheets for the whole song to make up a bass line? I ask because I have made up my own bass lines from guitar chord sheets, sticking just to the R, 3, 5 deal. I thought the bass line sounded pretty good.

Once or twice I saw a standard notation sheet for the song, and lo and behold, my bass line was little different than what was written and recorded.

So I'm wondering what tabs I should be looking for to play. Or am I OK in taking my guitar chord sheets (lead sheets, fake sheets... you know) and going off on my own for a bass line? Would I be placed in front of a firing squad if I played with other guys doing that?

 

[Deathblade Eric]

I see posts asking for tabs for this or that song, and I'm wondering...

Are the tabs being asked for the exact tabs (or as close as possible) to the original recording, or are they tabs/chord sheets for the whole song to make up a bass line?

Usually the request is for an 'exactly like the recording' tab or transcription. It's rare to see requests for lead/chord sheets, but not completely unheard of.

I ask because I have made up my own bass lines from guitar chord sheets, sticking just to the R, 3, 5 deal. I thought the bass line sounded pretty good.

Good! Keep doing it! Make it your interpretation.

Once or twice I saw a standard notation sheet for the song, and lo and behold, my bass line was little different than what was written and recorded.

Sometimes that happens. There are a few tunes that seem to have an 'embedded' bassline & not much else works.

So I'm wondering what tabs I should be looking for to play. Or am I OK in taking my guitar chord sheets (lead sheets, fake sheets... you know) and going off on my own for a bass line?

Sounds to me like you don't need tabs at all Keep their use down to a minimum & continue to rely on your ears as to what fits the tune. The ability to read and interpret charts & lead sheets is a great skill to have & will do your prospects the power of good as you're likely to pick up the essence of a tune in next to no time. Session & Dep work relies heavily on this.

I try & keep my tab usage to a bare minimum, just as a 'get out of jail card' for when I'm stuck on a phrase. However, writing tabs/transcriptions is good excercise as it invariably gets you to really listen to what's going on, plus transcribing using notation pays back shedloads as you're applying theory in a real-world situation.

Would I be placed in front of a firing squad if I played with other guys doing that?

Some would, but unless you're in a Tribute Band, I've found that most players are open to re-interpretation provided that the signature licks are there & the new bassline serves the tune. Besides, recordings are usually only a snapshot of that particular moment - live recordings vary from gig to gig, and the entire tune can mutate over time.

Pete.

 

[Minotauros]

Usually the request is for an 'exactly like the recording' tab or transcription. It's rare to see requests for lead/chord sheets, but not completely unheard of.

I thought so. I don't want this taken wrong by anyone and I'm not trying to be full of myself, but something I see all over is that people want to play exactly like the original recording. So I wondered if that was the case.

Good! Keep doing it! Make it your interpretation.

Good, I like doing that with guitar playing also. I don't want to play like everyone else. I'm working on something similar to Scorpions' version of Dust in the Wind. I don't even try House of the Rising Sun arpeggio anymore. I'm soooo tired of hearing fingerpicking versions, I want to be different.

Sounds to me like you don't need tabs at all Keep their use down to a minimum & continue to rely on your ears as to what fits the tune. The ability to read and interpret charts & lead sheets is a great skill to have & will do your prospects the power of good as you're likely to pick up the essence of a tune in next to no time. Session & Dep work relies heavily on this.

That's what to practice. At the beginning I was even tabbing out what I thought should be the bass line, but now I think "just follow chords and the song". I know I was overthinking it.

Some would, but unless you're in a Tribute Band, I've found that most players are open to re-interpretation provided that the signature licks are there & the new bassline serves the tune. Besides, recordings are usually only a snapshot of that particular moment - live recordings vary from gig to gig, and the entire tune can mutate over time.

Pete.

Very cool, thanks. Sure there are sometimes rules to follow, but I always say that even the artists never play the same way twice, especially in a live performance. Studio recordings have multiple session musicians, multiple layers and effects.

I think I needed to know that I was on the right track (16 track? ).

 

[DeanT]

As D.E. said, people usually request TABs for the whole bass line exactly as recorded or played live. But doing what you do is a good way to learn how to write bass lines.

If you play with a band, there's no law that says you have to play the song exactly like the record. Though your audience might demand it that way.

 

[Deathblade Eric]

If you play with a band, there's no law that says you have to play the song exactly like the record. Though your [DEL]audience[/DEL] guitarist might demand it that way.

 

[Jim Campbell]

I thought so. I don't want this taken wrong by anyone and I'm not trying to be full of myself, but something I see all over is that people want to play exactly like the original recording. So I wondered if that was the case.



Good, I like doing that with guitar playing also. I don't want to play like everyone else. I'm working on something similar to Scorpions' version of Dust in the Wind. I don't even try House of the Rising Sun arpeggio anymore. I'm soooo tired of hearing fingerpicking versions, I want to be different.



That's what to practice. At the beginning I was even tabbing out what I thought should be the bass line, but now I think "just follow chords and the song". I know I was overthinking it.



Very cool, thanks. Sure there are sometimes rules to follow, but I always say that even the artists never play the same way twice, especially in a live performance. Studio recordings have multiple session musicians, multiple layers and effects.

I think I needed to know that I was on the right track (16 track? ).

no harm in learning the original line even if you want to change it up....

 

[Minotauros]

Though your audience might demand it that way.

Absolutely... always play to the audience. Though as a former music teacher said, where he plays it's a bunch of drunks who really don't care.

no harm in learning the original line even if you want to change it up....

No doubt. You can wind up with "Theseus's Ship"... you rebuild and replace it so much it's not the same thing anymore. And it turns out, as I said, more often than not I found my own bass lines were very very close to the original. Nice to know I'm doing it right.

 

[pretaanluxis]

I find it's better to push your ears and fingers to figure out exactly how it was played in the recording. Then once you know what they did, change it as much as you want. Most of the learning and improvement for me comes from the small details.

However, doing it your way is much better for practicing making your own bass-lines - just remember to keep challenging yourself.