Playing ONE OK ROCK – VANDALIZE: Bass TAB & Practice Tips

Table of Contents

If you're working on ONE OK ROCK – VANDALIZE on bass, don't just think of the TAB as a bunch of fret numbers you have to memorize.

This guide is built to help you actually play the bassline with control — especially if you're using a 5-string bass. We'll look at tuning, low-B control, timing, note length, string changes, muting, right-hand consistency, and a practical way to break the song into smaller pieces.

The TAB resource on this page is based on an independent bass transcription created for bass-playing and study purposes. The original song and recording remain the property of their respective rights holders.

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ONE OK ROCK – VANDALIZE Bass TAB

VANDALIZE is presented here as a 5-string bass study using standard 5-string tuning. If you're comfortable with a 5-string, the extra low range gives you plenty of room to work with while also making muting and string control more important.

Item	Details
Artist	ONE OK ROCK
Song	VANDALIZE
Instrument	Bass Guitar
Bass Used for TAB	5-string bass
Tuning	B E A D G
TAB Type	Independent Bass TAB PDF
Main Practice Focus	Timing, low-B control, muting, string changes, consistency

Before You Start: Get the 5-String Setup Right

This TAB uses standard 5-string tuning:

B – E – A – D – G

That low B is the main difference compared with a traditional 4-string setup.

Before you start reading the TAB, make sure every string is properly tuned. A bass that is slightly out of tune can make it surprisingly difficult to figure out whether a problem is coming from your playing or from the instrument itself.

5-String Tuning at a Glance

String	Pitch	Practical Tip
5th	B	Keep the low end controlled
4th	E	Use as a familiar reference
3rd	A	Useful for middle-register movement
2nd	D	Keep fretting movements relaxed
1st	G	Watch accidental string noise

Why the Low B Needs Extra Attention

The low B string is awesome when you need that extra bottom end. But it's also really good at exposing sloppy muting.

Because the string is physically larger and produces a lot of low-frequency energy, an unwanted ring can make a phrase feel muddy very quickly.

So when practicing VANDALIZE, don't only ask whether you're hitting the correct notes.

Ask yourself:

• Is the low B ringing only when I want it to?
• Am I accidentally touching the B string when moving to another string?
• Can I stop the note cleanly?
• Does my picking hand stay relaxed?

If the answer is yes, you're already doing some serious 5-string technique work.

Don't Let the TAB Make You Forget the Groove

One of the easiest traps when learning bass TAB is becoming obsessed with the numbers.

You see a sequence of frets and your brain immediately goes:

"Okay, 7... 7... 5... 3... what comes next?"

Meanwhile, the actual rhythm is getting ignored.

That's backwards.

For bass, the rhythm is often just as important as the pitch.

Try listening to the original recording before practicing the TAB. Instead of immediately focusing on the bass, listen to the overall pulse.

Then listen again and start noticing where the bass fits into that pulse.

Find the Main Pulse First

Tap your foot.

Move your head.

Count the beat if you need to.

Whatever works.

The goal is to get your body feeling the rhythm before your fingers start chasing the notes.

Practice the Rhythm Before the Full-Speed Version

If a section feels difficult, strip it down.

Don't immediately attack the complete phrase at full speed.

Instead, play the rhythm slowly with just one comfortable note. Once the rhythm feels natural, put the actual notes back in.

This separates two different problems:

• Can I play the notes?
• Can I play the rhythm?

When both are working independently, putting them together becomes much easier.

Note Length: The Part Bass Players Sometimes Forget

Here's a simple experiment.

Play one bass note and let it ring.

Now play the same note and stop it immediately.

Same pitch.

Completely different sound.

That's why the end of a bass note matters almost as much as the beginning.

Listen for the Release

When practicing a phrase from VANDALIZE, pay attention to when each note disappears.

If you're letting every note ring into the next one, the line can become blurry. If you're cutting every note short, the groove can lose its weight.

Try to make your note endings intentional rather than accidental.

Muting Is Not an Optional Extra

Clean bass playing is partly about deciding which strings should make sound and which strings absolutely should not.

That's muting.

Your fretting hand can help stop notes, while your picking hand can control unused strings.

You don't need to overthink the exact technique. What matters is that your hands work together.

A Quick 5-String Muting Drill

Try this away from the song first:

1. Play a note on the B string.
2. Stop it cleanly.
3. Move to the E string.
4. Make sure the B string stays quiet.
5. Move to the A string.
6. Repeat the process slowly.

Once you can move between strings without random noises, start increasing the speed.

String Changes Are a Technique Exercise by Themselves

Sometimes the difficult part of a bassline isn't the fretboard movement. It's the movement between strings.

When switching strings, keep your picking-hand motion small and controlled.

Big movements usually create more opportunities for mistakes.

What You Notice	Possible Issue	Practice Fix
Extra string noise	Loose muting	Slow down and isolate the transition
Missed notes	Picking movement is too large	Use smaller hand movements
Rushing	Transition creates tension	Practice with a slow metronome
Uneven attack	Inconsistent finger or pick movement	Repeat the phrase at an easy tempo

Pick vs. Fingerstyle

If you're wondering whether you should use a pick or your fingers for this song, don't get stuck looking for one "correct" answer.

The better question is:

Which technique gives me the control and attack I need?

Playing With a Pick

A pick can give you a very direct attack and make repeated notes feel consistent.

Keep the movement economical. You don't need massive pick strokes to get a strong bass sound.

If you notice your hand becoming tense, stop and reset.

Playing Fingerstyle

Fingerstyle gives you plenty of control over dynamics and articulation.

If you're alternating index and middle fingers, listen for differences in volume between them. A phrase can sound uneven if one finger consistently hits harder than the other.

Use the TAB as a Map, Not a Cage

Once you understand the basic phrase, don't feel like you have to stare at the TAB forever.

Use it as a map.

Read the section, understand the movement, then look away and try to play it from memory.

If you get stuck, look back.

That's much more useful in the long run than becoming dependent on every single number.

Try This Three-Step Memory Test

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Read the TAB	Understand the phrase
2	Look away and play	Test musical memory
3	Check the TAB again	Correct mistakes

Don't Start With the Entire Song

This is where a lot of practice sessions go sideways.

You start at the beginning, play the easy part, reach the difficult section, mess it up, stop, restart the song, and eventually repeat the exact same cycle.

It's basically practicing the beginning of the song over and over again.

Instead, isolate the problem.

If one transition is difficult, loop that transition.

If one rhythm feels weird, practice that rhythm.

If the low B keeps ringing, work on that string by itself.

Then put everything back together.

A Better Way to Loop a Difficult Section

Try using a very small loop.

Something like four bars can be enough.

Play it slowly several times. Once your hands stop fighting the phrase, bring the tempo up.

Then add one bar before and one bar after the difficult section.

This creates a smoother transition without forcing you to replay the entire song every time.

The Small-Loop Progression

• Level 1: difficult phrase only
• Level 2: phrase + previous bar
• Level 3: phrase + previous and following bars
• Level 4: entire section
• Level 5: section inside the full song

This is a great way to turn one annoying section into something manageable.

Use a Metronome Without Killing the Fun

Yeah, practicing with a click can feel a little dry.

But you don't have to spend your entire session playing against a metronome.

Use it during the technical part of practice, then switch back to the actual recording when you want to work on musical feel.

Think of the metronome as the gym.

The song is the game.

You need both.

Practice Tempo in Small Steps

If a phrase isn't clean at a certain speed, jumping straight to the original tempo usually doesn't magically fix it.

Instead, increase the tempo gradually.

Tempo Stage	Main Goal	Move Up When...
Very Slow	Learn the movement	Notes feel comfortable
Slow	Build timing	No major mistakes
Medium	Improve consistency	Hands stay relaxed
Near Tempo	Maintain technique	Groove remains stable
Song Tempo	Musical performance	You're ready to play the part musically

Record Yourself Playing VANDALIZE

You don't need expensive recording equipment.

A simple phone recording is enough to reveal things you might not notice while you're busy playing.

When you listen back, don't immediately judge whether the performance is "good" or "bad."

Listen for specific things.

• Are the notes landing consistently?
• Do you rush difficult transitions?
• Does the low B ring when it shouldn't?
• Are some notes noticeably louder than others?
• Do your note endings sound intentional?
• Does your hand sound tense during difficult passages?

Those observations give you something concrete to work on during the next practice session.

A 20-Minute VANDALIZE Practice Routine

If you don't have a lot of time, try this focused session.

Time	Practice	What to Watch
0–3 min	Tune and warm up	Relaxed hands
3–7 min	Read one TAB section	Correct notes
7–11 min	Metronome practice	Timing
11–15 min	Loop the hardest phrase	Technique and muting
15–18 min	Play the section with the recording	Groove
18–20 min	Record one take	Consistency

Three Clean Runs Challenge

Here's a simple challenge you can use whenever a section feels unstable.

Choose a short phrase and try to play it three clean times in a row.

Not one lucky run.

Three.

If the second attempt falls apart, start the count again.

This teaches your hands to reproduce the phrase consistently instead of accidentally getting it right once.

What If You Mainly Play 4-String Bass?

Don't automatically assume that owning a 4-string means you can't study a 5-string bassline.

It depends on the actual range of the phrase you're working on.

If a passage reaches below the normal low-E range, you'll need to consider whether another position or an adaptation makes sense.

But don't change every note just because the original TAB uses a 5-string.

First understand the musical phrase.

Then decide whether an alternative fingering or position makes sense on your instrument.

When Adapting to 4-String

• Check the lowest note first.
• Look for alternative positions.
• Keep the rhythm unchanged whenever possible.
• Watch for awkward position jumps.
• Listen to make sure the adaptation still feels musical.

Don't Chase Perfect Technique While Playing the Song

Here's a little secret: sometimes practicing the song itself is not the best place to fix every technical problem.

If your string crossing is messy, isolate the string crossing.

If your muting is bad, practice muting separately.

If your right hand gets tense, slow down and reset your movement.

Then bring the improved technique back into the song.

This saves you from turning every song practice session into a giant technical battle.

Listen to the Bass as Part of the Whole Band

One of the biggest upgrades you can make as a bassist is learning to stop hearing your instrument in isolation.

When playing VANDALIZE, listen to how the bass sits underneath everything else.

Pay attention to the relationship between:

• bass and kick drum
• bass and rhythm guitar
• bass and vocal phrasing
• bass movement between sections

The goal isn't to make the bass stand out all the time.

The goal is to make the bass feel like it belongs there.

Use Different Dynamics During Practice

Once you know the notes, try playing the same phrase at different intensity levels.

Play it softly.

Then play it with a stronger attack.

Then return to the level that feels appropriate for the song.

This helps you understand how much of the sound comes from your hands rather than from your amp settings.

Dynamic Control Exercise

Round	Attack	Purpose
1	Very light	Control
2	Medium	Consistency
3	Strong	Power
4	Natural	Musical balance

When You're Ready, Play It With the Recording

After the technical work, put the metronome away for a moment.

Play with the original recording.

This is where you find out whether the individual skills you've been practicing actually work together.

Don't worry if the first few attempts aren't perfect.

Listen.

Adjust.

Try again.

That's the whole game.

Original Recording Reference

Use the original recording as your musical reference while studying the bassline. Listening alongside the TAB can help you understand phrasing, timing, note duration, and how the bass sits within the complete arrangement.

VIEW BASS TAB PDF

When you're ready to work through the written bass part, use the TAB resource below.

VIEW BASS TAB PDF →

The TAB is provided as an independent bass transcription for study and practice.

How to Get More From This TAB

Don't feel like you have to finish the entire TAB in one session.

A better approach is to learn it in layers.

Layer 1 — Notes

Make sure you know where the notes are and which strings you're using.

Layer 2 — Rhythm

Get the timing under your fingers before worrying about full speed.

Layer 3 — Note Length

Work on the difference between sustained notes and controlled releases.

Layer 4 — Muting

Clean up unwanted string noise.

Layer 5 — Groove

Play with the recording and focus on how your bass fits with the drums and guitars.

Layer 6 — Memory

Try playing short sections without constantly looking at the TAB.

Once all six layers are working, the song starts feeling much less like a reading exercise and much more like something you actually know how to play.

Common VANDALIZE Practice Problems

Problem	Likely Area	Try This
Low end sounds muddy	Low-B control or muting	Practice stopping unused strings
You keep rushing	Tempo or tension	Slow the section down
String changes feel awkward	Picking-hand movement	Isolate the transition
Notes sound blurry	Note length or muting	Practice note endings
You play the notes but it doesn't groove	Timing	Listen to bass and drums together
You can play it once but not consistently	Muscle memory	Use the Three Clean Runs challenge

One More Useful Trick: Practice the Transition

A lot of players spend most of their time practicing the individual sections.

But here's the thing:

The transition between sections is often where the real problem lives.

You might be able to play the verse perfectly.

You might be able to play the chorus perfectly.

Then the moment you connect them, everything falls apart.

So practice the last bar of one section together with the first bar of the next section.

Once that connection feels natural, expand the loop.

Don't Confuse Speed With Progress

Playing the song faster isn't automatically better.

If you can play a phrase slowly with great timing, clean muting, and relaxed hands, you've already built something useful.

Speed can come later.

What you don't want is to train your hands to make the same mistake faster and faster.

About This Independent Bass TAB

This VANDALIZE Bass TAB is presented as an independent transcription created for bass study and practice.

ONE OK ROCK, VANDALIZE, the original composition, recording, names, artwork, and related intellectual property remain associated with their respective rights holders.

rikytone does not claim ownership of the original song or recording.

This page adds original educational commentary around the bass-playing process, including tuning information, technique discussion, practice methods, timing exercises, muting ideas, and other bassist-focused guidance.

Where external media is referenced, it is provided as a reference to the original recording rather than presented as original rikytone material.

More ONE OK ROCK Bass TABs Will Be Added

This article is one part of the growing ONE OK ROCK Bass TAB collection on rikytone.

As more songs are transcribed and published, new titles will be added to the main ONE OK ROCK collection page. Each new song can then have its own dedicated article with its own TAB, playing notes, practice ideas, and reference material.

That means the collection will continue to grow over time instead of being a fixed list.

If you're coming back later, check the main ONE OK ROCK Bass TAB collection for newly added songs.

Final Practice Checklist

Before calling the song finished, run through this quick checklist:

• ✓ Bass is correctly tuned to B E A D G
• ✓ Low B is controlled and not ringing accidentally
• ✓ Main rhythms feel comfortable
• ✓ Difficult string changes are clean
• ✓ Unwanted string noise is under control
• ✓ Note endings sound intentional
• ✓ You can play short sections without constantly looking at TAB
• ✓ You can stay with the recording without rushing
• ✓ You have recorded yourself at least once

If most of those boxes are checked, you're in a pretty good place.

Keep Playing

Learning ONE OK ROCK – VANDALIZE on bass doesn't have to be a race to memorize every fret number.

Take your time.

Get the low end under control.

Listen to the drums.

Pay attention to when notes stop, not just when they start.

And when something feels difficult, make the section smaller instead of simply trying harder.

That's how a tricky bassline slowly becomes something your hands can play without overthinking every move.

Keep practicing, keep listening, and keep the groove locked. 🎸

← Back to the ONE OK ROCK Bass TAB Collection