Below you will find a selection of different free bass guitar chord charts in tab format. So if you have been stuck wondering how to play chords for bass guitar this should give you the answers you have been looking for!
The first thing we need to know are the bass guitar chord formulas.
A = A chord (1,3 ,5)
Am= A minor (1, b3, 5)
A7 = A seventh (1,3,5, b7) (also know as dominate seventh)
AM7= A major seventh (1,3,5,7)
Asus4 = A suspend 4 (1, 3&4, 5)
The numbers are the scale numbers and I have just used A as an example.
Here are some examples of how to play them:
A
g–9—–
d-11—–
a-12—–
e——–
A
g—18—
d——–
a—19—
e—17—
Am
g———-
d—10—–
a—12——
e—12——
Am
g—17—–
d———-
a—19—
e—17——
A7
g—12—–
d—11—–
a—12—–
e———-
A7
g—18—–
d—17—–
a—19—
e—17—–
AM7
g—13—–
d—11——
a—12——
e———-
AM7
g—18—–
d—18—-
a—19—-
e—17—–
Asus4
g-(11)12—
d–12——
a–12——
e———-
A lot of times this chord is played as a major (with the 11) then the 12 is applied or hammered on. It can be played with out the (11).
Asus4
g—19—–
d———-
a———-
e—17—–
That’s the majority of them. Any of those bass chords can be played anywhere just be moving them up or down the neck. Try to keep the root of the chord above the 12th fret to stop it sounds ‘muddy’.
(The root is the note in the chord that names the chord. I.E. the root of any A chord is A)
A fifth chord
g—9—–
d—7—–
a———
e———
A fourth chord
g—7—–
d—7—–
a———-
e———-
A third chord
g—6——
d—7——
a———-
e———-
Note:
The fret numbers in the Tab may look staggered but all notes are meant to be played at the same time.
I’ll leave you with one more chord.
A9 =A ninth chord (1, 3, 5, 9)
g—18—–
d—21—–
a—19—–
e—17—–
A9 =A ninth chord (1,5,9)
g—-16—
d—-14—
a—-12—
e———
I hope that if you were looking for a free bass guitar chord chart then these chord for bass guitar in tab have helped you out. I recommend printing them out so you have then handy when you need them.
If you’re just starting to learn bass then you might find some of these bass guitar chords tricky to play. Just stick with it and begin with the easier ones first…
To Your bass playing success,
Tom Boyd
P.S If you’re frustrated and don’t know where to begin with learning bass chords… Click Here to get going today!


thanx man for the info keep on keeping on!
This is simply unique and wonderful
hey man my bass doesnt have 21 frets is this just a different style of bass or am i a bad counter?