Free Online Tool
Bass Guitar Tab Player
Play, learn, and create 4-string bass tabs in your browser — no install, no account. Load Beat It below and hit play right now.
What is a bass guitar tab?
A bass guitar tab (tablature) is the shortcut every bassist uses to learn songs fast. Instead of reading sheet music, you see four horizontal lines — one per string — with numbers showing exactly which fret to press. No music theory required. Just look at the number, press the fret, play.
Here's the opening riff from Beat It written as a tab:
Beat It — Michael Jackson
Opening bassline · Electric bass
See the pattern? The A string carries the groove (fret 3), while the D string adds the open notes that give Beat It its punchy feel. The E string stays silent the whole bar — that space is what makes it breathe.
How to read a bass tab in 3 steps
Find your strings
The four lines are your four strings. Bottom = E (thickest, lowest). Going up: A, D, G (thinnest, highest). Same order as the strings on your bass, from bottom to top.
Read the numbers
A number means press that fret. 0 means open string — don't press anything, just pluck. Dashes (---) are silence between notes. Read left to right.
Feel the rhythm
Tabs show where to play but not always when. Hit play on the demo above and watch the notation scroll — that's the fastest way to lock in the rhythm.
Everything you need to learn bass
Built for bassists of all levels — from beginners reading their first tab to players who want to transcribe their own lines.
Real-time playback
Hit play and hear your bass line instantly. Adjust BPM on the fly without stopping.
Three views
Switch between Tab notation, Grid editor, and a realistic Bass Guitar visual — all synced.
Drag & resize notes
Draw notes with a click, drag to move, resize to change duration. No typing required.
Multiple sounds
Electric, acoustic, slap bass — choose the tone that fits your song.
10+ preset songs
Load Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, and more in one click to study the basslines.
MIDI import
Drag and drop any .mid file onto the editor and it converts to a bass tab instantly — ready to play and edit.
Export & share
Copy as ASCII tab, export to MIDI, or share via a URL link. No account needed.
Songs included
Load any of these songs with one click inside the editor. Accurate fret positions and BPM.
Billie Jean
Michael Jackson · Funk / Pop
Beat It
Michael Jackson · Pop / Rock
Thriller
Michael Jackson · Pop / R&B
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Michael Jackson · Disco Funk
Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson · Pop / R&B
Off the Wall
Michael Jackson · Funk / Soul
Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
Michael Jackson · Funk / Pop
The Way You Make Me Feel
Michael Jackson · Funk / R&B
I Want You Back
The Jackson 5 · Funk / Soul
Le Freak
Chic · Disco Funk
Frequently asked questions
What is a bass guitar tab?
A bass guitar tab (tablature) is a simplified notation system that shows you exactly which string and fret to play. Instead of reading sheet music, you see four horizontal lines (one per string) with numbers indicating the fret. Zero means open string.
How do I read a bass tab?
Each line represents a string: G (thinnest) on top, then D, A, and E (thickest) at the bottom. Numbers show which fret to press. Read left to right — numbers stacked vertically are played simultaneously.
Is this bass tab player free?
Yes, completely free. No account required. Open it in any modern browser on desktop or mobile.
Can I create my own bass tabs?
Yes. Use the Grid editor to draw notes on any string and fret, set the duration, and adjust BPM. You can export as ASCII tab or MIDI, or share your tab via a URL.
Can I import a MIDI file?
Yes. Drag and drop a .mid or .midi file onto the editor and it automatically converts to a bass tab — fret positions calculated, BPM preserved. From there you can play it back, edit notes, or export it as ASCII tab.
What songs are included?
The player ships with 10 preset songs including Billie Jean, Beat It, Thriller, Le Freak, and more — all with accurate fret positions and BPM.
Ready to play?
Open the full editor and start learning bass lines today. Free, no account needed.
Open Bass Tab Player →