TransCriptionS AND TABS

Here you'll find free bass transcriptions. There are just a few so far, but I'll update this site regularly — so make sure to come back. Some of these titles exist in different versions online or have been published in books. My reason for doing my own transcriptions is that I found mistakes, came across a different version, or simply have a different interpretation. And of course: diving deep into a song is the best way to really understand it.

If you have any suggestions or find mistakes, feel free to contact me. If you enjoy the transcriptions, a small donation would be much appreciated — thank you!

WHEREVER I LAY MY HAT (THAT'S MY HOME) - PAUL YOUNG

This song was originally recorded by Marvin Gaye in 1962. On this version from 1983, taken from Paul Young's album "No Parlez", Pino Palladino plays his outstanding bass line on a Music Man Stingray Fretless Bass. The highlight of the song besides the intro is the build up from whole notes to a sixteenth note groove at the end.

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I GOT A NAME - JIM CROCE

This song got back into the spotlight with Quentin Tarantino's movie "Django" from 2012. The original track is from 1973 and has — as it deserves — a wonderful bass line. It's unclear who played it: some sources credit Bob Babbitt, while others argue it was Joe Mack. Either way, the bass line has a beautiful melodic and rhythmic feel.

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THE ONLY LIVING BOY IN NEW YORK - PAUL SIMON

"The Only Living Boy in New York" features the most melodic bass line in the entire Simon & Garfunkel catalogue — and my personal favourite. It was originally played by Joe Osborn, but this transcription is based on Pino Palladino's version from the concert "Old Friends – Live on Stage" from 2004.

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SURF - MAC MILLER (BASS SOLO)

"Surf" is the only song on Mac Miller's posthumously released masterpiece "Circles" from 2020 that features a bass solo. It was played by multi-instrumentalist Jon Brion. The few notes are so well chosen and it is simply stunning.

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I DON'T TRUST MYSELF - JOHN MAYER (BASS SOLO)

This song from John Mayer's album "Continuum" from 2006 is very special: it features two of the greatest bass players ever, Willie Weeks and Pino Palladino, playing at the same time! It also has a beautiful guitar solo. Ever wondered how that guitar solo would sound played on bass? Here it is.

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DIAMONDS ON THE SOLES OF HER SHOES - PAUL SIMON

A song from another masterpiece: Graceland by Paul Simon from 1986. Slapping on a fretless bass is not only possible — it sounds great. Bakithi Kumalo demonstrates this amazingly on this track, which also features beautiful melodic elements. Make sure to check out Bakithi's lesson on YouTube!

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GOOD LOVE IS ON THE WAY - JOHN MAYER

My favourite bass line from the John Mayer Trio, played by Pino Palladino, taken from the 2008 DVD "Where the Light Is". I removed the original bass track using Steinberg's Spectral Layers. Also available as TABs.

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