TRIDENT Songs on Bass: TABs and Ideas for Better Practice
If you're into modern Japanese rock and you like basslines that actually make you work a little, TRIDENT is a pretty fun band to dig into.
This page is the growing TRIDENT Bass TAB collection on rikytone. Instead of putting everything on one giant page, each song gets its own dedicated article with its own TAB resource, playing notes, tuning information, and practice ideas.
That setup makes the collection easier to use whether you're just getting started on a 5-string bass or you've already been playing for years and want to tighten up your timing, muting, and fretboard control.
TRIDENT Bass TABs
Here's the current list of TRIDENT songs available on rikytone. New songs will be added here as the collection grows.
More TRIDENT Bass TABs will be added over time, so this page is designed to keep growing with the collection.
Why TRIDENT Is Interesting for Bass Players
One of the cool things about working on TRIDENT songs is that the bass doesn't have to be treated like background noise.
A good bassline can sit right between the drums and guitars, lock into the groove, and still give the song its own movement. That's exactly the kind of stuff that's worth studying when you're trying to become a cleaner and more musical player.
And if you're using a 5-string, you've got another thing to think about: the low B string.
Having that extra string is awesome, but it also gives you more ways to make a sloppy performance sound... well, sloppy.
So this collection isn't just about learning the notes. It's also about learning how to actually play the part cleanly.
What You Can Work on With These Songs
| Skill | What to Listen For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | How the bass sits with the drums | Keeps the groove tight |
| Low-B control | How low notes are used | Prevents muddy playing |
| Muting | Unwanted string noise | Makes the line sound cleaner |
| String crossing | Movement between strings | Builds right-hand control |
| Note length | Short vs. sustained notes | Changes the feel of the groove |
The Low-B String Is More Than Just an Extra Note
If you're playing a 5-string, the low B can completely change how you approach a song.
A common beginner mistake is treating the B string like a bonus string that should be used whenever possible. That's not really the point.
The extra range gives you more options. Sometimes the best move is actually to stay higher on the neck and use the B string only when the musical phrase calls for it.
Keep the Low End Under Control
Low notes have a lot of energy. When they're played too aggressively, especially with too much gain or compression, the result can get muddy fast.
Try playing the same low note three ways:
- Very softly.
- With your normal attack.
- Harder than you normally would.
Listen to how much the tone changes. The goal isn't simply to play the note louder. The goal is to control the note so it sits where you want it in the mix.
A Simple Low-B Check
Before practicing a difficult section, play a few low-B notes slowly and let them ring.
If you hear extra string noise, rattling, or uncontrolled resonance, fix that first. There's no point practicing a complicated phrase at full speed if the foundation is already messy.
5-String Bass Setup for TRIDENT Songs
The exact setup can vary depending on your bass, strings, action, pickups, and personal playing style. But a comfortable setup makes practicing a lot less frustrating.
| Setup Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Tuning | Make sure every string is properly tuned before practicing. |
| String tension | Make sure the low B doesn't feel excessively loose. |
| Action | Use a setup that lets you fret notes comfortably without unnecessary buzzing. |
| Right-hand position | Find a consistent position for your plucking hand. |
| Muting | Make sure unused strings stay quiet. |
Don't Ignore the Strings You're Not Playing
This is one of those things that separates a clean bass performance from a noisy one.
When you're playing a 5-string, there are more strings available to vibrate. That means your muting technique has to do more work.
Your fretting hand can mute strings above the one you're playing, while your plucking hand can help control lower strings. Exactly how you do it depends on your technique and hand position.
Muting Doesn't Have to Feel Complicated
Don't think of muting as some completely separate technique you need to master before playing songs.
It should become part of the way you play.
Play a simple two-note groove and intentionally stop the notes at different lengths. Pay attention to what your hands are doing when the note ends.
Quick Muting Exercise
Try this simple cycle:
- Play one note.
- Let it ring for a moment.
- Stop it cleanly.
- Move to another string.
- Repeat without creating extra noise.
Do this slowly. Speed doesn't help if every string is ringing like crazy.
Timing Is Where the Groove Lives
You can play every correct note and still sound wrong.
Yep. That's the annoying part of bass.
The difference is usually timing, note length, attack, or how tightly you're sitting with the drummer.
When working through a TRIDENT bassline, don't just ask yourself:
"Did I play the right note?"
Also ask:
- Did I hit it at the right moment?
- Did I stop it at the right moment?
- Was my attack too hard?
- Was I rushing?
- Was I dragging behind the beat?
- Did the groove stay consistent?
Practice the Rhythm Before the Speed
If a section is giving you trouble, strip it down.
You can even mute the strings and practice the rhythm with your right hand first. Once the rhythm feels natural, bring the notes back into the exercise.
This can be surprisingly effective because you're separating the coordination problem from the pitch problem.
How to Practice a TRIDENT Bass TAB
Don't feel like you have to run through an entire song every time you pick up your bass.
That's usually not the fastest way to improve.
Instead, break the song into small chunks and make each chunk feel solid before moving on.
Step 1 — Listen First
Before reading the TAB, listen to the original recording and focus specifically on the bass.
Try to hear where the bass enters, where it stops, and how it interacts with the drums.
Step 2 — Read the TAB Slowly
Don't immediately chase the original tempo.
Read the phrase and identify:
- Which string you're using.
- Where you need to shift position.
- Where the low B appears.
- Where notes are short or sustained.
- Where string crossings happen.
Step 3 — Loop a Small Section
Pick a short section—maybe a few beats or one musical phrase—and loop it.
Play it slowly until your hands stop thinking so hard about every individual note.
Step 4 — Add the Metronome
Once the phrase feels comfortable, add a metronome.
If you're constantly speeding up, don't immediately increase the BPM. Stay where you are and focus on making the timing more consistent.
Step 5 — Bring It Up to Tempo
Increase the tempo gradually.
The goal is not to prove that you can play fast once. The goal is to make the part feel repeatable.
A Simple Practice Ladder
| Stage | Goal | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| Slow | Learn the notes | Fingering and string choice |
| Comfortable | Clean up the phrase | Muting and note length |
| Medium | Build consistency | Timing and string crossing |
| Near tempo | Connect the groove | Dynamics and feel |
| Full tempo | Play musically | Consistency and confidence |
Pick or Fingers?
There's no universal rule here.
If you normally play with a pick, use the technique that lets you reproduce the feel of the part comfortably. If you're a fingerstyle player, the same idea applies.
What's more important is consistency.
If You Use a Pick
Pay attention to alternate picking and make sure your pick attack doesn't become unnecessarily aggressive during faster sections.
A controlled attack can help the bass stay punchy without overpowering the rest of the arrangement.
If You Play Fingerstyle
Keep your plucking fingers moving economically.
Big finger movements can make faster passages harder than they need to be. Try keeping the motion small and relaxed.
Why Note Length Matters So Much
Two bass players can play the exact same notes and still sound completely different.
One of the biggest reasons is note length.
A note that rings for a full beat creates a different feel from a note that gets muted almost immediately.
So when you're learning a bassline, don't only copy the pitch. Listen to the shape of each note.
Try This Experiment
Take a simple phrase from your practice section and play it three times:
- Let every note ring.
- Mute every note very quickly.
- Try to match the original recording.
The third version is where your ears start doing the real work.
Use Your Ears More Than Your Eyes
TAB is useful, but don't let it become a substitute for listening.
If your eyes are glued to the numbers, it's easy to forget what the music actually sounds like.
A better workflow is:
| Order | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Listen |
| 2 | Read the TAB |
| 3 | Play slowly |
| 4 | Compare what you hear |
| 5 | Repeat |
Common Problems When Learning 5-String Basslines
Here are a few things worth watching for when working through the collection.
1. Accidentally Hitting the B String
This happens a lot when your plucking hand gets too aggressive.
If the line doesn't call for the B string, keep it quiet.
2. Losing the Groove While Changing Strings
Sometimes the notes are easy but the movement between strings throws off the timing.
Practice the string crossing by itself before trying the complete phrase again.
3. Playing Every Note Too Loud
Bass doesn't need to fight the guitars.
Try relaxing your attack and let the amp, pickups, and setup do some of the work.
4. Practicing Too Fast
If you're making the same mistake over and over at full speed, you're basically practicing the mistake.
Slow it down. Fix it. Then build the speed back up.
5. Ignoring Note Endings
A lot of players concentrate on when the note starts but forget when it stops.
That little detail can completely change the groove.
Can You Play TRIDENT Songs on a 4-String Bass?
If a song uses a 5-string bass, that doesn't automatically mean you need a 5-string to practice it.
A 4-string can often cover much of the same musical range by shifting positions or moving notes to another string, depending on the phrase.
The important thing is understanding what you're sacrificing when you make that change.
| 5-String | 4-String Adaptation |
|---|---|
| Access to lower notes | May require a position shift |
| Fewer position changes | May require more movement |
| Low-B available | Lowest standard string is E |
| Useful for modern low-register parts | Still useful for learning timing and technique |
Build a Better Practice Routine
You don't need a two-hour practice session every day.
Even 20 focused minutes can be productive if you know what you're trying to improve.
A Simple 20-Minute TRIDENT Session
| Time | Practice | Main Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 min | Warm-up | Relax your hands |
| 3–8 min | Difficult phrase | Fix technique |
| 8–13 min | Metronome practice | Improve timing |
| 13–17 min | Song section | Connect phrases |
| 17–20 min | Play-through | Check consistency |
Try Recording Yourself
This one is super useful.
You don't need expensive recording gear. Even a basic phone recording can reveal things you don't notice while you're playing.
Listen back and ask:
- Is the timing stable?
- Are the notes too loud?
- Are unused strings ringing?
- Does the low B sound controlled?
- Do the note endings match the groove?
Sometimes what feels clean while you're playing doesn't actually sound clean on playback.
Don't Chase Perfection on the First Run
Learning a bassline is supposed to be a process.
Your first goal can simply be getting through the section without stopping. After that, clean up the timing. Then work on muting. Then refine the dynamics.
Trying to fix everything simultaneously usually makes practice more frustrating than it needs to be.
Think in Layers
- Notes — Can you play the correct pitches?
- Rhythm — Can you place them correctly?
- Technique — Can you play them cleanly?
- Dynamics — Can you control the attack?
- Feel — Does it actually groove?
How the TRIDENT Bass TAB Collection Works
This page is the collection hub.
Each individual song article goes deeper into that specific track and provides the song-specific TAB resource, tuning information, playing notes, practice suggestions, and other useful details.
That means you don't have to dig through one giant article every time a new song is added.
The Collection Structure
| Page Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| TRIDENT Collection | Find available songs and learn general techniques |
| Individual Song Article | Explore one song in greater detail |
| New Song | Added to this collection when published |
Keep This Page Bookmarked
If you're working through several TRIDENT songs, this page can act as your starting point.
Come back whenever a new song is added. The collection will continue to expand, and the song list above will be updated with links to the latest individual Bass TAB articles.
For Bass Players Who Want to Go Further
Don't stop at simply copying the notes.
Once you've learned a TRIDENT bassline, try asking yourself why the part works.
Look at the Relationship Between Bass and Drums
Where does the bass lock with the kick?
Where does it intentionally leave space?
Does the bass follow the guitar closely, or does it create a separate rhythmic layer?
Those questions can teach you much more than memorizing TAB alone.
Study Your Own Playing
After learning a song, try changing your attack slightly and listen to what happens.
Play the same phrase softer. Then harder. Then with shorter notes. Then with longer notes.
You're not trying to rewrite the song. You're learning how small performance choices change the character of a bassline.
That's Where the Real Practice Happens
TAB gives you the map.
Your ears, hands, timing, and musical decisions are what actually turn that map into a performance.
More TRIDENT Bass TABs Are Coming
The list above is not the final list.
As more TRIDENT songs are prepared for the rikytone Bass TAB section, they'll be added to this collection with links to their own dedicated articles.
So if your favorite TRIDENT track isn't listed yet, check back later. The collection is meant to grow naturally rather than throwing a huge list of unfinished pages online all at once.
About the TRIDENT Bass TAB Resources on rikytone
The Bass TAB resources published on rikytone are independently prepared for educational and practice purposes. Each individual song article provides its own context, practice information, and resource details.
TRIDENT and its music remain the property of their respective copyright holders. rikytone is not claiming ownership of the original recordings, compositions, lyrics, artwork, or trademarks associated with TRIDENT.
The goal of this collection is simple: help bass players explore Japanese rock basslines, practice their instrument, and learn more about the techniques behind the music.
Keep Your Bass Plugged In
Grab your bass, pick one song from the collection, slow it down, and start working through the groove.
Don't worry about playing it perfectly on the first try.
Get the notes right. Lock in the rhythm. Clean up the muting. Then turn the volume up and make it feel good.
More TRIDENT Bass TABs will be added to this collection over time.
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