Iron Man by Black Sabbath is one of the most iconic songs in rock history. The bass riff in this song is instantly recognizable, and it’s no wonder why so many bass players want to learn how to play it. In this article, we’ll teach you how to play the Iron Man bass tab so you can jam out like Geezer Butler.
The Iron Man Bass Tab
The Iron Man bass tab is comprised of two main parts: the intro and the verse. The intro is the iconic bass riff that starts the song, and the verse is the simpler bass line that follows. Here’s the Iron Man bass tab:
G|—————————————————————————————————————————————————|D|—————————————————————————————————————————————————|A|—0———————————————————————————————————————————————|E|———3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—3—0—|
As you can see, the Iron Man bass tab is pretty straightforward. The intro riff is played on the G and D strings, while the verse is played on the A and E strings. The 0s and 3s indicate which frets to play on each string.
How to Play the Iron Man Bass Tab
Now that you have the Iron Man bass tab, it’s time to learn how to play it. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Start by practicing the intro riff. This is the most iconic part of the song and may take some time to get down, but with practice, you’ll be able to play it smoothly.
- Once you have the intro down, move on to the verse. This is a simpler bass line and will give you a chance to practice playing on the A and E strings.
- After you’re comfortable playing both the intro and verse, try playing them together. This will help you get the timing right and make the transition between the two parts smooth.
- Finally, practice playing the entire song along with a recording. This will help you get a sense of the song’s overall structure and timing.
Tips for Playing the Iron Man Bass Tab
Here are a few tips to keep in mind while practicing the Iron Man bass tab:
- Start slow and gradually increase your speed. It’s important to get the timing right before trying to play the song at full speed.
- Pay attention to your hand position. Make sure you’re using the proper finger to play each note and that your hand is in the correct position on the fretboard.
- Practice with a metronome. This will help you stay on beat and improve your timing.
- Listen to the song while you practice. This will help you get a sense of the song’s overall structure and make it easier to play along.
Conclusion
Learning how to play the Iron Man bass tab is a rite of passage for any bass player. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to master this iconic riff and add it to your arsenal of bass skills. So grab your bass guitar and get ready to rock out like Geezer Butler!