Captain Bass Tab

[Rick_E]

Although I love this song, the actual bassline is pretty boring. It took me 10 minutes to figure out the roots and fills. Do you guys just want that or do you want me to give you something interesting to play?
It's your choice, this is for you after all.

Rick

[Rick_E]

Well here ya go. I think i'm gonna play around with this tonight though and spice it up a little. As you can see it's a pretty basic bassline but it does the job in the song. That interlude leaves room for a nice bass solo PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH THIS TAB. Format it for easier reading, tell people your 80 year old grandma tabbed it, etc...

Thanks for messaging me that 'code' trick. Saved from having the tab spaced out all wrong.

Code: Select all

Sorry for you 4-Stringers out there, this is tabbed for 5-String
in order to reproduce the recorded tone.


X2
G|---------|---------|---------|---------------|
D|---------|---------|---------|---------------|
A|---------|---------|---------|---------------|
E|---------|-4-------|-7-------|---------------|
B|-2-------|---------|---------|-10------(10)\-|



|-------------------|---------------------|
|------2---2--------|--------2---2--------|
|--------4---4--2h4-|-(4)------4---4--2h4-|
|-------------------|---------------------|
|-2-----------------|--2------------------|


Crazy as I may, Make my way through this world, Oh
                                                       6 Beats here
|------------------|-----------------|-----------11---|-----------------|
|------------------|------------13---|--------12------|-----------------|
|-4----------------|---------11------|----------------|------4----4-4---|
|------------------|------11---------|----------------|-5-------4-------|
|------------------|-9---------------|-12-------------|-----------------|


|----------------------|
|-4--------------------|
|---4---4-2--------1-2-|
|-----------4--4-4-----|
|----------------------|



it's for no one but me to say, What direction I should turn in now.
                                                       6 Beats here
|------------------|-----------------|-----------11---|----------9----------|
|------------------|------------13---|--------12------|------------11-------|
|-4----------------|---------11------|----------------|---------------------|
|------------------|------11---------|----------------|-5----9------------9-|
|------------------|-9---------------|-12-------------|------------------9--|


|-------9--------------|
|---------11-----------|
|----------------------|
|-9-----------------9-9|
|-----------------9----|




Cause I am the captain of this ship, Wanting eyes and kissing lips.

|------------------|-----------------|-----------11---|------------------|
|------------------|------------13---|--------12------|---------------14-|
|------------------|---------11------|----------------|------------12----|
|-9----------------|------11---------|----------------|------------------|
|------------------|-9---------------|-12-------------|-10---------------|


The same as it was, And will remain until I'm done and gone.

|------------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|------9--------9-|----------9------|
|------------------|------------13---|----------------|-----------------|--------11-------|-11---------11---|
|------------------|---------11------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|-9----------------|------11---------|----------------|-----------------|-9---------------|-----------------|
|------------------|-9---------------|-12-------------|-10--------------|-----------------|-----------------|


(To save space look above for what to play here)

Strange, but it seems,
There's mutiny brewing inside of me now.
I don't want your pity,
Just the promise that I'll be alright.

Cause I am the captain of this ship,
Curious hands and fingertips.
The same as it was,
And will be


until I'm gone.

------------------
------------------
------------------
-7--7-7--6--6-6---
------------------

Oh, I know I'm a dreamer,  
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


Still think it's strange?  I won't be long for here.
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


Oh, I know that I feel,
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

                                     wait    and     go again, 
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-4--------------2--------0---------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|--------4--------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


Again.
|------9--------9-|----------9------|
|--------11-------|-11---------11---|
|-----------------|-----------------|
|-9---------------|-----------------|
|-----------------|-----------------|



Oh, look, I'm buried, 
              (Fill)

------------------
----4-6-----------
--6---------------
--------4---------
------------------


Like a cancer eating away inside of me.
                                       (Fill at end)

-----------9-9----------
-------9-9------9------9
----11--------------11--
--9---------------------
------------------------

I don't want your pity,
Only the promise that I'll be okay now.

But I am the captain of this ship,
Curious hands and fingertips.
The same as it was before 
                   (B-B-B-B-G#-G#-G#-G#)


here, Here, back after all.
C#          C    C-C-G  

***
Interlude
The progression here is just roots (C# - A - F#), just goof around with timing
***
Why should I be hypnotized,
By the promise of a long life?
Why should I hold hope,
In tiny, tiny dribbles that glide by?
Why should I lean on everything... upon
I won't be here long...




Oh, I know I'm a dreamer,  
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


Still seems a truth.I won't be long for here.
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


Oh, it's so, but I think I lay this,
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|-7--7--7-7---------7---7---6---6---|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

                                     On      now     your lips. 
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
|----7------------------------------|-4--------------2--------0---------|
|-5-----5-5--------0---0--0-0-------|--------4--------------------------|
|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|


I'm drowning.
|------9--------9-|----------9------|
|--------11-------|-11---------11---|
|-----------------|-----------------|
|-9---------------|-----------------|
|-----------------|-----------------|



I am the captain of... oh... 

|------------------|-----------------|----------------|---------------------|
|------------------|------------13---|-----------9-9--|---------------------|
|------------------|---------11------|---------9------|---------11-11---9/11|
|-9----------------|------11---------|-7--------------|-------11------------|
|------------------|-9---------------|----------------|-9-------------------|


But, I'll be okay after all 


|------------------|-----------------|----------------|
|------------------|-----------------|----------------|
|------------------|-----------------|----------------|
|-9-----------9-9--|-8---------8-----|-8--------------|
|-----------9------|--------8--------|--------8--8----|

 

[xero]

Very sweet, thanks. Lillywhite source, right? Sure seems like it, heh.

[GSR]

darn... need a five string.

[Rick_E]

Very sweet, thanks. Lillywhite source, right? Sure seems like it, heh.

Yeah, that's the version I found on the net. Call me a hypocrite but I hate downloading DMB MP3s but will download any other bands stuff without any guilt. It ticks me off to pay 25$ for a CD with only one good song on it when bands like DMB and a few others work hard to put out solid work that I don't mind paying for.
Captain isn't on any albums. I read about all the Lillywhite stuff, man talk about being kept out of the loop, I gotta follow the news more, hahaha!!!

[Rick_E]

darn... need a five string.

Just transpose buddy. You just might not be able to pull off some of the fills.

[Bartender2424]

Captain isn't on any albums. I read about all the Lillywhite stuff, man talk about being kept out of the loop, I gotta follow the news more, hahaha!!!

Actually, Captain is on stefans best album, Busted Stuff. Although, deff not the best album by the whole band by any means, the bass riffs on busted stuff are tricky and complex... take a listen to the busted stuff captain, wont be as easy as the lillywhite one.

[Rick_E]

Captain isn't on any albums. I read about all the Lillywhite stuff, man talk about being kept out of the loop, I gotta follow the news more, hahaha!!!

Actually, Captain is on stefans best album, Busted Stuff. Although, deff not the best album by the whole band by any means, the bass riffs on busted stuff are tricky and complex... take a listen to the busted stuff captain, wont be as easy as the lillywhite one.

Just listened to that version. Not complex at all in my opinion. What Stefan is playing there is simple 'technicaly'. If you guys want an idea of the principle behind the bassline have a listen to "I Will Survive" cover by Cake.

I'll get the Busted Stuff version of this song ASAP. It will be much easier because it's just repeating patterns and the occasional fill. LESS TYPING, yay!!!!

Later guys

[xero]

Well, the tab there is a great framework layout for the other version, but I'm totally lost w/ the sheer complexity of that song. I even saw him debut it live on 7/16/02, and I was fairly close, and I think my jaw was on the floor the whole song.

I guess a video of Stefan playing this live doesn't exist? I assume that'd be the best way to try to follow along...

[Bartender2424]

Show-off, jus playin, Im impressed with your talent and skill, you blow me out of the water, you gotta teach me a few things, cause you look fuckin awesome bro, keep up this tabbin

The 'Tender

[street fish]

Code: Select all

Captain (source: 9.7.02, album version)

What is tabbed represents WHICH notes are generally played.  Is isn't an exact tab of any one version.  There is some ad-libbing going on, but for the most part, Stefan uses the same notes throughout.  Maybe some are repeated, some are skipped, some are staccato, some are sustained.  Basically by using this tab as a reference, you'll see where Stefan is playing, and as you listen, you'll see how he uses essentially the same range of notes in different ways.  What you'll find is a lot of minor variations on the same patterns, and this is the key to learning the song.

Intro.  Ad-lib a little in this range.  This is close to what Stefan does on 9.7 but probably not exact.
G-----------------4-----6---------------------4----6---4------------
D----------------6-------4---6---6-----------6-----------6---6---6--
A----4-------------------------------4------------------------------
E-------------------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------------------------------------


G--------------4---6---4---6---4-6---8-6---4------------------------
D------------6---------------------------------6---4---6---------4--
A----4---------------------------------------------------4---2------
E-------------------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------------------------------------------------------

Verse
    
G---|-------------4-----------------|-------------------------------
D---|-----------6-------6-----------|--------------4---5---6--------
A---|4-------------------4---4----6-|------------6--------------6---
E---|-------------------------------|4---------------------------4--
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------------------------|---------------
D---|-------------9------------9----|--------7------
A---|-----------9---------------9---|------------7--
E---|7---------------------------7--|5--------------
B---|-------------------------------|---------------

G---|-----6---------|---------------|---------------|---------------
D---|---------------|----6----------|----9----------|----------7----
A---|4--------------|---------------|---------------|------------7--
E---|---------------|4--------------|7--------------|5--------------
B---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------

Chorus (I am the captain of. . . )

G---|-------------4---9---8-6---4---|-------------------------------
D---|-----------6----------------6--|--------------4---5---6--------
A---|4----------------------------4-|------------6--------------6---
E---|-------------------------------|4---------------------------4--
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
D---|-------------9------------9----|--------------(7)--------------
A---|-----------9---------------9---|---------------------(7)-------
E---|7---------------------------7--|5------------------------------
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------4-----------------|-------------------------------
D---|-----------6-------6-----------|--------------4---5---6--------
A---|4-------------------4---4----6-|------------6--------------6---
E---|-------------------------------|4---------------------------4--
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
D---|-------------9------------9----|--------------(7)--------------
A---|-----------9---------------9---|---------------------(7)-------
E---|7---------------------------7--|5------------------------------
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

Turnaround leading back to the verse: Look back to the intro or to the first bar of the verse and chorus progressions. 

Now, for the "first" bridge (oh oh I love. . .)  From the chorus, you'll skip the last bar (the one starting with the (A) 5 on the E string and go straight to this:

G-------------------------------------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------------------------------------
A-----------------7--------------6--------------7---------6---------
E---5---------------------------------------------------------------
B-------------------5\-------------4\-------------------------------(repeat x2)

G----------------------------------
D----------------------------------
A----------------------------------
E---5------------------------------
B-------------------5\-------------

G---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------
D---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------
A---|---------------|---------------|---------------|---------------
E---|---------------|4--------------|7--------------|5--------------
B---|2--------------|---------------|---------------|---------------



Then, back to the turnaround, and then: 

(Same old song. . .)

G---|-------------4-----------------|-------------------------------
D---|-----------6-------6-----------|--------------4---5---6--------
A---|4-------------------4---4----6-|------------6--------------6---
E---|-------------------------------|4---------------------------4--
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
D---|-------------9------------9----|-------------------------------
A---|-----------9---------------9---|-------------------------------
E---|7---------------------------7--|4------------------------------
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
D---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
A---|4------------------------------|3------------------------------
E---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------
B---|-------------------------------|-------------------------------

G---|--------------------------------
D---|--------------------------------
A---|3-------------------------------
E---|--------------------------------
B---|---------------3-----3----------

Second bridge (How could I. . .)

G---|------6--8--9--11-9-8----------|----------------------------
D---|---6------------------11-------|------7--9--7---------------
A---|4-------------------------11\--|---7-------------7-----7\---
E---|-------------------------------|5------------------5--------
B---|-------------------------------|----------------------------

G---|-------------------------------
D---|--------4----------------------
A---|--------------2---2---3---3----
E---|2---2-------2------------------
B---|-------------------------------(repeat as needed)

Then back to first bridge, turnaround, final verse.

[i like tictacs]

Thanks for that tab SF...Great song, just tried out the tab. Great bassline in that song, one of my favorites.

[street fish]

This thread reminds me of how much I'm amused at people with this whole "this was so simple I did it in 10 minutes mentality" and then produce a tab with major flaws . . .

Just post your shit and get out of the way-- it speaks for itself.

[street fish]

And don't underestimate something that appears "simple" like the LWS Captain. There is a lot of very subtle yet powerful stuff happening there, not just the notes but how and when they are played. "Spicing it up" is really a disservice . . .

[i like tictacs]

Edit: I missed the post you were referring to.

/slams head on desk