Come As You Are (correct) bass tabs

Introduction

Are you a bass player looking to learn one of the most iconic basslines of all time? Look no further than Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”. With its haunting melody and catchy groove, it’s no wonder this song has become a staple of any rock band’s set.

But if you’re new to playing bass, or just need a little guidance, don’t worry! In this article, we’ll walk you through the correct way to play “Come As You Are” on bass using easy to follow bass tabs. So grab your bass and let’s get started!

Getting Started

First things first – you’ll need to tune your bass to standard tuning (EADG). Once that’s done, you can take a look at the bass tab for the song.

Here’s a quick rundown of the symbols used in the tab:

• – = Play the note
• p = Play the note with your plucking hand (also known as a “pull-off”)
• h = Play the note with your fretting hand (also known as a “hammer-on”)
• x = Mute the string

Once you’ve got the hang of those symbols, you’re ready to start playing!

Verse

The verse of “Come As You Are” is deceptively simple, consisting of just three notes. Here’s the tab:

G|--------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------2--2p0---|
A|--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--------3-0|
E|--------------------------------------|
			

As you can see, the verse just repeats that same pattern over and over. Make sure you keep a steady rhythm, and don’t be afraid to play it with a little attitude!

Chorus

The chorus of “Come As You Are” introduces a new pattern, but it’s still relatively easy to play. Here’s the tab:

G|------------------------------------|
D|-----------------------------2--2-2-|
A|--0--0--0--0--5--5--5--5--5----------|
E|------------------------------------|
			

Again, the chorus just repeats that pattern several times. Note the slight change at the end of the chorus – instead of playing the fifth fret on the A string, you’ll play an open A string instead.

Make sure you pay attention to the rhythm of the song during the chorus – it’s a bit syncopated, so it might take a few listens to get the hang of it.

Bridge

The bridge of “Come As You Are” introduces a new pattern entirely, but it’s still fairly straightforward. Here’s the tab:

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

Play that pattern several times, and then end with this:

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

As with the chorus, make sure you pay attention to the rhythm – the bridge has a slightly different feel than the rest of the song.

Conclusion

And there you have it – a complete guide to playing Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” on bass! With the help of these easy to follow bass tabs, you’ll be able to master the iconic bassline in no time.

Remember to take your time, practice slowly, and most importantly – have fun with it! Playing bass is all about enjoying the music you’re making, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique style.

Thanks for reading, and happy playing!