It’s here,
and it’s Creedence, but I’m new and don’t know what the tab-ist is trying to tell me with all the r’s and the asterisks. I thought an asterisk meant play that string open, but he has the 5th fret marked to be played, so I’m not sure how I’m supposed to play it.
I appreciate your help!
Quasi
Hmm
here’s a list of the commonly used letters:
The list of most commonly used symbols is below :
h - hammer on
p - pull off
b - bend string up
r - release bend
/ - slide up
\ - slide down
v - vibrato (sometimes written as ~)
t - tap (with strumming hand)
x - muted, struck string
I don’t think it’s a release bend for sure. Maybe s/he meant it as a rest.
…oh, and the asterisks there on the verse line just mean to repeat that portion.
r = root, possibly?
I’m pretty sure the r’s just mean to rest for that beat, but play along with the song to make sure, if it sounds off then the tab might just be a really simplistic way of playing it.
Taking the song into context, I’m sure it’s “rest”, though I’ve seen “r” used most often for “root”.
Hey, Quasi, what kind of bass do you play?
Mr. Blue Sky: I play a Galveston accoustic/electric, and she sure looks good on me! I’m just taking lessons right now to make sure I justify those good looks, and hopefully can join a band that would be glad to have an arthritic ex-drummer, 6-stringer, bass-player!
My bass was made in Korea, but what a pretty color of blue-green she is! I found her on Ebay for 250 bucks and just fell in love and had to have her next to my blue accoustic/electric Takamine Jasmine, so I guess we’re a menage a trois! 
Quasi
My bass (Rickenbacker 4001 Jetglo) will be here any day now. Woo-hoo!
Quasi:
The answers are here…I just thought I’d clarify them.
The song begins with two measures of a guitar going through the D A G chord progression without any accompanyment. The bass starts in at the third measure, so I’m guessing the “r” means “rest”.
The astericks make the end of the tab look like a repeating end bar in sheet music. Therefore, I would assume that the asterisks mean to repeat. However, later in the piece, the individual states that that particular line is repeated four times. That particular progression is played four times in the song. However, if the line was played like it was tabbed out (repeating once each time), it would actually be played eight times. Therefore, I’m inclined to believe that the asterisks are a mistake and should be ignored.
Be wary of internet tablature, though. There is definitely some good stuff out there. If I wanted to figure out a basic guideline of a song, I’d refer to the internet. However, if I want to learn how to play a song exactly, I’ll buy the sheet music.
Personally, I usually ignore bass tab, as I like to use different fingerings sometimes. I would just as soon read a chord chart and find the notes from there.
I have an acoustic/electric as well…a Hohner HAB-40 in natural finish. I’ll pick it up seriously one of these days; right now I just fiddle with chord progressions and songs by ear.
Thanks for everypne’s help and Mr. Blue Sky: Have fun with your new “lady”!
Q