American Woman bass tabs

Are you a fan of classic rock music? Do you want to learn how to play the bass part for “American Woman” by The Guess Who? Look no further! In this article, you will find a complete tutorial on how to play the bass tabs for this iconic song.

Introduction

“American Woman” was released in 1970 and quickly became a hit for The Guess Who. The song has a distinct bass line that has remained popular among bass players even to this day. The bass player for The Guess Who, Jim Kale, used a Fender Precision Bass to record this song.

The Bass Tabs

Before we start, make sure your bass is properly tuned. The bass tabs for “American Woman” are relatively easy to play, making it a great song for beginners to practice.

Verse

The verse consists of a repeating bass pattern:

G|--------------------------------------------|
D|--2-----2---0-----0-------2-----2---0-----0--|
A|--------3-----------3-----------3-----------|
E|----0-----------0-----------0---------------|
		

Make sure to keep a steady rhythm throughout the verse. The bass line should be played with a finger-picking technique, using your index and middle finger.

Chorus

The chorus has a slightly different bass pattern:

G|----------------------------------|
D|--2-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2--|
A|--------3-----3-----------0-----0--|
E|----0-----------0-----3-----------|
		

Again, the bass line should be played with a finger-picking technique. The chorus should be played with a bit more energy than the verse to create a dynamic contrast.

Bridge

The bridge has a simple bass line that leads into the guitar solo:

G|----------------------------------|
D|--------------------------7-------|
A|--5-----5-----5-----5-------------|
E|----------------------------------|
		

Make sure to play this part with a smooth and steady rhythm. The bass line here is played in a higher octave than in the rest of the song.

Guitar Solo

The bass maintains a steady rhythm during the guitar solo:

G|--------------------------------------------|
D|--2-----2---0-----0-------2-----2---0-----0--|
A|--------3-----------3-----------3-----------|
E|----0-----------0-----------0---------------|
		

The bass line during the guitar solo is the same as the verse. Make sure to keep a steady rhythm to stay in sync with the guitarist.

Transition Words

Now that you know the bass tabs for “American Woman,” it’s time to practice! Remember to start slowly and gradually increase your speed. A metronome can also be helpful to keep a steady beat.

If you’re having trouble with a particular part of the song, don’t worry! Practice that section repeatedly until you feel comfortable. It’s important to take your time and focus on accuracy rather than speed.

Additionally, listening to the original recording of “American Woman” can help you understand how the bass line fits into the song as a whole. Pay attention to the drums and guitar parts to get a sense of the overall rhythm and feel of the song.

Conclusion

Learning to play the bass tabs for “American Woman” is a great way to develop your finger-picking technique as a bass player. The repeating bass pattern throughout the song makes it easy to learn, even if you’re a beginner.

Remember to start slowly and focus on accuracy when practicing. Be patient with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification if you’re struggling with a particular part of the song.

We hope this tutorial has been helpful in your journey to master the bass line for “American Woman” by The Guess Who. Happy practicing!