Song: PSYCHO CIRCUS
Artist: KISS
Album: PSYCHO CIRCUS
--------------------
Transcribed by Emil Ortenmark, kfemil@telia.com
Tuned down 1/2-step
Comments: Killer bass playing by Gene. Tabbing it was a bitch but
kind of fun. Check out Riff 1, the bass figure during the circus-
music at the beginning of the track.
Key:
/ = slide up
\ = slide down
b = bend (whole step)
b^ = bend (1/2 step)
b^^ = bend (1 1/2 steps)
pb = pre-bend
r = release-bend
t = tap with righthand finger
h = hammer-on
p = pull-off
~ = Vibrato
* = Natural Harmonic
#(#) = Trill
x = Dead notes (no pitch)
P.M. = Palm mute (- -> underneath indicates which notes)
Tp = Tap w\plectrum
Rhythm Fig. 1
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2---|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 2
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----0--5\--------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|----------------------------------------7\---------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----5-------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----0--5\--------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-----------------------------------------7\--------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----5------------|
Rhythm Fig. 3
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--7\----------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--0----0----0----0---------------------------------|
Eb|--------------------3-----3--3--3--3--3--3--3------|
Gb|-------4-------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2-----------4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--5--5-------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------7\----------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--3/-5--5----5----5--3/---5--5----5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------0--2--------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------5-----5--4-----|
Ab|--0----0----0--0--0--------------5-----5-----------|
Eb|---------------------3-----3--3--------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2--4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--5--5----|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|-------7\-------------------5-----0----0-----------|
Eb|--0-----------2----3-----3-----3-------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 4
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|----------------------------------------7\---------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----5-------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|----------------------------------------7----------|
Ab|-------------------------------------------7--0----|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3--0---3--5--7--5---------------|
Rhythm Fig. 5
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------0--2--------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------------------------------5--5--4--2--0------|
Ab|--0----0----0----0---------------------------------|
Eb|--------------------3-----3--3---------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5-----5--5--5--5----5\-----------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------12h14---------12h14-----------|
Db|-----------------------------14------------14\-----|
Ab|------------------0--------------------------------|
Eb|--3/-5--5----5-------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|----------------------------4h5p4----2-------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5--------------------------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--3/-5--5----5----5--3-----3--3--3--3--3--2--0-----|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2----------4----5-----5--5--5--5--5--5--5--------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|-------7\-------------------5-----0----0-----------|
Eb|--0-----------2----3-----3-----3-------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 6
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----5-----------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----3--5\--------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----3--5--0------|
Rhythm Fig. 7
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3---2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--|
< - - - - 2x - - - - - > < - - - - 2x - - - - - >
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3---3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0---1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 8
Gb|--------------------4------------------4-----4-----|
Db|-----------------4-----4------------4-----4-----4--|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2------------2--2--2-----------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
< - - - - - - - - - - - 2x - - - - - - - - - - - - >
Gb|--------------------4------------------4-----4-----|
Db|-----------------4-----4------------4-----4-----4--|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2------------2--2--2-----------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------------5-----5---------------7--7--7--7--7--|
Ab|-----------------5-----5---0--0--0-----------------|
Eb|--3--3--3--3---------------------------------------|
Gb|--------------------4------------------4-----4-----|
Db|-----------------4-----4------------4-----4-----4--|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2------------2--2--2-----------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------------------5-----------------5h7----7-----|
Ab|-----------------5-----5--0--0--0--0------0-----0--|
Eb|--3--3--3--3--3------------------------------------|
Gb|--------4-----------4------------4-----------4-----|
Db|-----------------4-----4------4-----4-----------4--|
Ab|--2--2-----2--2------------2-----------2--2--------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------5-----------5------------7-----------7-----|
Ab|-----------5-----------5---0--7-----7--0--7-----7--|
Eb|--3--3--------3--3---------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------------------------------------5----4----0--|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3---------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--0--0--0--0--0--0--0--0---------------------------|
Eb|---------------------------2--2--2--2--2--2--2--2--|
Rhythm Fig. 9
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-----------------------------------------7\--------|
Ab|--------------------------------------7------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5-----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----3--5----------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------5\---------------------7\--------|
Ab|---------------5----------------------7------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3-------------3--5--7--5-----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7\---2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----3--5----------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2------------------------------------------------|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 10
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--7\--------------------------------------------|
Rhythm Fig. 11
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--2--2--2--2--2--4--4--5-----5--5--5--5--5--5--5---|
Eb|---------------------------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|--------------------------------------------7\-----|
Ab|--------------------------------------0--0---------|
Eb|--0--0--0--0--0--2--2--3-----3--3--3---------------|
Rhythm Fig. 12
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3----3--5----3--5---------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-------------------------------------------7\------|
Ab|----------------------------------------7----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3--0---3--5--7--5---------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-------------------------5-----5--7-------7\-------|
Ab|----------------------------5----------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-------------------------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----3--5\-------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|------------------------------------------7\-------|
Ab|---------------------------------------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----------------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3-----3--5--7--5----3--5\-------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-------------------------5-----5--7----------------|
Ab|----------------------------5----------7-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3----------------------5\-------|
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-------------------------5--4----------------------|
Ab|-------------------------------7--5----4-----------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----0--3----------------------7--5-----|
< - - - - - - - - - - - 2x - - - - - - - - - - - >
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|-------------------5-------------------------------|
Ab|---------------------------------------------------|
Eb|--7--0--2--3----3--------3--3--3--5----------------|
Riff 1
Gb|---------------------------------------------------|
Db|---------------------------------------------------|
Ab|--0------------0-----------------------------------|
Eb|--------0------------0---2---4-----0---------------|
< - - - - - - ca 4x - - - - - - >
Bass Tabs | |
Title | Psycho Circus |
Artist | KISS |
Tablature Type | ASCII Tab |
YouTube ID | BWIW6Ti0PbE |
Interactive Bass Tab Guide
Interactive bass tabs provide a better experience than ASCII tabs. With playback, loop, print features and a responsive display that follows the screen of your device.
Use these buttons to control the digital tab player.
Symbol | Function |
| Move cursor to the first bar |
| Play interactive tabs |
| Pause playback |
| Loop |
| Print the tab |
| Zoom |
Page | Switch between page and horizontal view mode |
How to Read Bass Tab: A Beginner's Guide
1. Understanding the Basics
a. Strings:
Bass tab consists of horizontal lines representing the strings of the bass guitar. The lowest-pitched string (usually the E string) is at the bottom, and the highest-pitched string (usually the G string) is at the top.
b. Numbers:
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to play on a specific string. For example, if you see "3" on the E string, it means you should press down the third fret on the lowest string.
2. Reading Bass Tab Example
In this tab:
- Play the note on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Play the open E string.
- Play the 3rd fret on the A string.
- Play the 1st fret on the A string.
G|-----------------|
D|-----------------|
A|---------3-------|
E|---1-1---1---3---|
3. Playing Techniques
a. Hammer-ons and Pull-offs:
Hammer-ons are represented by an "h" (e.g., 5h7 means play the 5th fret and hammer onto the 7th fret). Pull-offs are represented by a "p" (e.g., 7p5 means play the 7th fret and pull off to the 5th fret).
b. Slides:
Slides are often indicated by an "/" or "\\" between two numbers (e.g., 5/7 means slide from the 5th fret to the 7th fret).