Cantonese Boy
ARTIST: Japan
ALBUM: Tin Drum
BASSIST: Mick Karn
TAB BY chris_70653223@hotmail.com
A classic mick karn bassline and a nightmare to work out. There are some
variations to each riff!!! And he swaps the order they are played in!!
Verse
Riff 1 (A) Variation to riff 1
G|----------------------------7-------7-------|---7-------7-------------|
D|----------x--7---9--------------9-----------|-------9-----------------|
A|--2---5-------------------------------------|---------------0---------|
E|---------------------0----------------------|-------------------------|
Riff 2 (B) Variation to riff 2
G|----------------------------12--11----------|---12--11----------------|
D|----------x--7---9------------------9--12\--|-----------9--12\--------|
A|--2---5-------------------------------------|--------------------0--2-|
E|---------------------0----------------------|-------------------------|
Riff 3 (C) Variation to riff 3
G|----------------------------12h11-----------|----12h11----------------|
D|----------x--7---9--------------------------|-------------------------|
A|--2---5-----------------------------0--5--5-|-----------0--5--5--0----|
E|---------------------0----------------------|-------------------------|
Riff 4 (D) Variation to riff 4
G|----------------------------9/-11-----------|----9/-11----------------|
D|----------x--7---9------------------12-12---|-----------12-12---------|
A|--2---5-------------------------------------|------------------0------|
E|---------------------0----------------------|-------------------------|
Chorus (E)
G|----------6-----------------h11--------------8----------------9h11\---|
D|----------4---------------9-----11-----------6----------9h11----------|
A|--------------------1-------------------------------------------------|
E|--0--2-----------2-------------------2--4---------0--0----------------|
(F) End of the chorus he changes to this
G|----------6-----------------h11--------------8------------------9--11-|
D|----------4---------------9-----11-----------6-----------9--11--------|
A|--------------------1-------------------------------------------------|
E|--0--2-----------2-------------------2--4---------0--0----------------|
Outro (G)
G|----------------------h11---------------------------------------------|
D|------7------------9-------9-h11----------7---------------------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------------|
E|--0--------0------------------------0---------0-------0--0--0--0------|
Variation to the outro played twice End
G|-----------------9---9------------------------------------|-----------|
D|-----7--------------------------7-------------------------|-----7-----|
A|------------------------------------------------------------|---------|
E|--0-------0-----------------0--------0-------0--0--0--0--|---0----0*--|
Bass Tabs |
|
Title |
Cantonese Boy |
Artist |
Japan |
Tablature Type |
ASCII Tab |
YouTube ID |
SfVG-4g0c1I |
Interactive Bass Tab Guide
Interactive bass tabs provide a better experience than ASCII tabs. With playback, loop, print features and a responsive display that follows the screen of your device.
Use these buttons to control the digital tab player.
Symbol | Function |
| Move cursor to the first bar |
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How to Read Bass Tab: A Beginner's Guide
1. Understanding the Basics
a. Strings:
Bass tab consists of horizontal lines representing the strings of the bass guitar.
The lowest-pitched string (usually the E string) is at the bottom, and the highest-pitched string
(usually the G string) is at the top.
b. Numbers:
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to play on a specific string.
For example, if you see "3" on the E string, it means you should press down the third fret on the lowest string.
2. Reading Bass Tab Example
In this tab:
- Play the note on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Play the open E string.
- Play the 3rd fret on the A string.
- Play the 1st fret on the A string.
G|-----------------|
D|-----------------|
A|---------3-------|
E|---1-1---1---3---|
3. Playing Techniques
a. Hammer-ons and Pull-offs:
Hammer-ons are represented by an "h" (e.g., 5h7 means play the 5th fret and hammer onto the 7th fret).
Pull-offs are represented by a "p" (e.g., 7p5 means play the 7th fret and pull off to the 5th fret).
b. Slides:
Slides are often indicated by an "/" or "\\" between two numbers (e.g., 5/7 means slide from the 5th fret to the 7th fret).