What is the rhythm of the bass guitar in the song “Folsom Prison Blues”?

I’m teaching myself to play Folsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash on the bass (friend told me it was an easy song to learn while beginning bass) and I’ve looked up many bass tabs online, but none of them have the tempo to the song. I’d appreciate some help(:

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Tags: Bass, blues, Folsom, guitar, Prison, Rhythm, song

4 Responses to “What is the rhythm of the bass guitar in the song “Folsom Prison Blues”?”

1. Aden Melvin says:

   December 11, 2010 at 9:41 pm

   youtube?
2. Hans Fredriksen says:

   December 11, 2010 at 10:04 pm

   The tempo basically goes “1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2″.
   Meaning you hit one string on one, and another one on two. Not sure which strings I would hit though, seeing as how I am used to playing lead guitar..

   The tempo is very hard to learn without playing together with a band, I would advice you to play along with a youtube video while you practice.

   At least that’s how I’d play the song if I were to play bass.
   Perhaps you are supposed to play it like this: 1(play), 2(quiet), 3(play), 4(quiet) and so on.
   Where you hit one string at 1 and another string at 3. I hit the E and A strings on my regular guitar alternatively while I play pull all the 3 other strings at the same time. In the 1,2,3,4 tempo.
3. mrfrijo says:

   December 11, 2010 at 11:01 pm

   Listen to Credence Clearwater revival they do the song and they do a great rendition of this song .
4. RiderFan says:

   December 11, 2010 at 11:25 pm

   Country bass line.

   you are going to play the root note on the 1 then switch to it’s 5th on the 3.

   I know that makes no sense but if you ask your friend to show you you’ll get it.

   It’ll be like
   E B E B
   1&2&3&4&1&2&3&4&

   I think the tempo is around 115-120 bpm. So when you count 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and – you’ll count 1&2& in about a second.

   Good luck. join The Bass List mailing list. Best place for any info, and super nice guys.