Introduction

If you are a bass player and you love the Red Hot Chili Peppers, you probably want to learn how to play one of their most iconic songs: Around The World.

Released in 1999, Around The World is a funky and rhythmic track that features slap bass, a technique popularized by the band’s bassist Flea.

In this article, we will provide you with the bass tabs for Around The World (ver 4), along with tips on how to play it like a pro.

The Bass Tabs

Before we dive into the tabs, let’s take a look at the tuning and timing of the song:

• Tuning: Standard EADG
• Time signature: 4/4
• Tempo: 172 BPM

Now, let’s take a look at the tabs. We will break them down into intro, verse, chorus, and bridge.

Intro

G|--------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------
A|---------------------5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5
E|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-5-5-------------------
			

The intro features a simple two-bar riff that repeats throughout the song. Make sure to use the slap technique on the A string and the pop technique on the E string to get that funky sound.

Verse

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

The verse features a similar riff to the intro, but with some variations. Again, use the slap and pop techniques to add some rhythm and melody to the riff.

Chorus

G|--------------------------------------
D|--------------------------------------
A|---------------0-0-0-0-0-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-
E|-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-----------------------
			

The chorus features a simple three-bar riff that complements the vocal melody. Use the pop technique to highlight the melody notes on the A string.

Bridge

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

The bridge features a funky riff with some octave jumps. Use the slap technique on the higher notes and the pop technique on the lower notes to get that funky sound. The last bar of the bridge features a variation of the chorus riff.

Tips to Play Like a Pro

Now that you have the tabs, here are some tips to help you play Around The World (ver 4) like a pro:

• Practice slowly at first, and gradually increase the tempo as you get more comfortable with the song.
• Pay attention to your timing, and try to lock in with the drums and the rest of the band.
• Experiment with the dynamics of the song, and emphasize different notes and techniques to make it more interesting.
• Watch live performances of the song to get a better sense of how Flea plays it, and try to emulate his energy and stage presence.
• Have fun! Playing bass is all about enjoying yourself and expressing your creativity, so don’t be afraid to add your own personal touches to the song.