Introduction
“Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes is a classic rock song that has been popular for many years. The iconic bass riff in the song is instantly recognizable and has been covered by many artists. In this article, we will provide bass tabs for “Seven Nation Army” and a step-by-step guide on how to play it.
The Bass Tabs
Before we begin, it is important to note that the bass tabs provided in this article are in standard tuning (EADG). Here are the tabs:
G|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|D|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|A|-------0---|-------0---|-------0---|-3---0-----|E|-3---3-----|-3---3-----|-3---3-----|-------3---|
To play the riff, start with your index finger on the third fret of the E string and your ring finger on the fifth fret of the A string. Then, slide your ring finger down to the third fret of the A string and play the open E string. Finally, play the third fret of the E string with your index finger and the open E string again.
Breaking Down the Riff
The riff is made up of four notes played in succession: G, F, E, and G. The first two notes (G and F) are played on the A string, while the last two notes (E and G) are played on the E string. When playing the riff, it is important to mute the strings in between each note by lightly touching them with your fretting hand.
Practice Tips
As with any new song or riff, it is important to practice “Seven Nation Army” slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable with the notes. Here are a few tips to help you practice:
- Start by playing each note separately, making sure you are hitting the right string and fret.
- Once you have each note down, practice playing them in succession.
- Use a metronome to practice playing the riff at different tempos.
- Try playing the riff along with the song to get a better feel for the rhythm and timing.
Variations on the Riff
Once you have the basic riff down, there are a few variations you can try to add some flavor to your playing:
- Instead of playing the open E string at the end of the riff, try playing the third fret of the A string followed by the open E string.
- Play the riff higher up on the neck by starting on the eighth fret of the E string and playing the sixth fret of the A string.
- Experiment with playing the riff in different rhythms, such as playing triplets or adding pauses between the notes.
Conclusion
“Seven Nation Army” is a classic rock song with an iconic bass riff that is fun to play and instantly recognizable. With the tabs and tips provided in this article, you should be able to play the riff in no time. Remember to practice slowly and gradually increase your speed, and don’t be afraid to experiment with variations on the riff.