Helmet - Meantime guitar tab
Artist: Helmet
Album: Meantime
Song: Meantime
Tabbed by: Simon Robson
I don't make any attempt to show rhythm or timing here, that's too much
trouble. Just listen to the CD or tape or whatever and pick up the rhythm.
Helmet is a very tight band (they're great live), so pay close attention to
the rhythm if you want it to sound good. Also, play with your palm muting,
figure out what sounds best to you.
Oh yeah, don't forget to use dropped-D tuning. (Tune low E string to D.)
{=============Intro=============}
E-|-------------------------------|
B-|-------------------------------|
G-|-------------------------------|
D-|-0--1--2--3--4--5--6--7--8---0-|
A-|-0--1--2--3--4--5--6--7--8---0-|
D-|-0--1--2--3--4--5--6--7--8---0-|
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Just ad lib the part with the arrows under it. Hit each chord once or twice,
then when you get to the last chord, the D5, hit it hard and just let it ring
out for 16 beats. Try to get it to feedback right at the end before the main
riff starts.
{=========Main Riff=========} {==Bridge to Verse==}{==Verse==}
E-|---------------------------|----------|-------------------|----------|
B-|---------------------------|----------|-------------------|----------|
G-|---------------------------|----------|-------------------|----------|
D-|-0-3-0-3-4-5-0-0-3-0-3-4-5-|---0...---|-3-0-0-4-0-0-5-4-3-|---0...---|
A-|-0-3-0-3-4-5-0-0-3-0-3-4-5-|---0...---|-3-0-0-4-0-0-5-4-3-|---0...---|
D-|-0-3-0-3-4-5-0-0-3-0-3-4-5-|---0...---|-3-0-0-4-0-0-5-4-3-|---0...---|
Play the main riff four times, then just play the open D5 in rhythm. Use this
rhythm wherever the tab says 0.... Listen to the song and play along.
Palm mute this part and remember to TOTALLY mute the strings when the band
does to get that serious Helmet rhythm effect.
{==Interlude in Verse One=} {==Transition to Main Riff=}
E-|--------------------------|---------------------------|
B-|--------------------------|---------------------------|
G-|--------------------------|---------------------------|
D-|-0-3-4-0-3-4-0-3-----0...-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-----------|
A-|-0-3-4-0-3-4-0-3-----0...-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-----------|
D-|-0-3-4-0-3-4-0-3-----0...-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-----------|
This little Interlude is played in the middle of verse one (the verses are
at the bottom of this tab). Then play the Transition and go back to the
Main Riff. Play the Main Riff four times, then go back to the D5 verse
rhythm.
{==Transition to Main Riff after Verse Two==}
E-|-------------------------------------------|
B-|-------------------------------------------|
G-|-------------------------------------------|
D-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-3-4-----------------------|
A-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-3-4-----------------------|
D-|-3-0-0-4-0-0-3-5-3-4-----------------------|
IMPORTANT: This Transition is NOT THE SAME as the other one was. There's two
extra beats thrown in. The chords here may not be exactly the same as the
song, but it has the right amount of beats. Feel free to experiment with the
last four chords. You could replace them with any of the Assorted Possible
Endings below in the Pre-End Riff. Play Main Riff four times, and the last
two lines of Verse Two are sung somewhere in here.
{===Pre-End Riff===} {===========Assorted Possible Endings============}
E-|-------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
B-|-------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
G-|-------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|
D-|-0-0-0-7-7-7-6-6-0-|-3-4-3-4-|-3-5-3-5-|-3-4-5---|-3-4-3-5-|-3-5-3-4-|
A-|-0-0-0-7-7-7-6-6-0-|-3-4-3-4-|-3-5-3-5-|-3-4-5---|-3-4-3-5-|-3-5-3-4-|
D-|-0-0-0-7-7-7-6-6-0-|-3-4-3-4-|-3-5-3-5-|-3-4-5---|-3-4-3-5-|-3-5-3-4-|
Play the Pre-End Riff six times, with any of the Assorted Possible Endings
you like. I think they're playing the first or second one, but I played with
them all, and they all sound good.
{=================End Riff=================} {==End Chord==}
E-|-------------------------------------------|--------------|
B-|-------------------------------------------|--------------|
G-|-------------------------------------------|--------------|
D-|-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-5-|-7------------|
A-|-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-5-|-7------------|
D-|-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-0-0-3-0-3-5-|-7------------|
Play End Riff four times, then go back to Pre-End Riff. (Yeah, I know I've
got it all mixed up, but who cares?) Play the Pre-End Riff twelve times, or
as many as you want, then play the A5 End Chord and hold it till you're ready
to finally finish the song.
Verse One:
earth tone suits you
so give it a smile
if i could hold you feet down
get to know for awhile
to make due is a promise
hard to keep without help
never taught to look in
i'm too concerned with my health
Verse Two:
help me spread right, ash is
cow fertilized
come down in a feed town
strength to minimize
hold it
HERE IS ANOTHER ATEMPT AT *MEANTIME*
Dropped-D Tuning (tune low E down to D)
spacing of dotted lines shows approximate timing
INTRO; Mostly just a swirling frenzy of strange (chords??)
GUITAR 1 strikes D5 while Guitar 2 seriously bends and distorts these chords
E -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B 8----8------9----9------10----10------11----11------12----12------13----13------14----14
G 8----8------9----9------10----10------11----11------12----12------13----13------14----14
D 8----8------9----9------10----10------11----11------12----12------13----13------14----14
A 6----6------7----7-------8------8-------9------9------10----10------11----11------12----12
D ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------15---15--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------15---15--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------15---15---------------0 }strike hard, let ring over drums for 16 beats ---------------
------13---13---------------0---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------0---------------------------------------------------------------------
RIFF 1 (Gtrs 1&2 4x)
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------
0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3----0----3-5-6----
0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3----0----3-5-6----
0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3----0----3-5-6----
RIFF 2 (Gtrs 1&2 1x) In order to give this riff its rhythmic crunch, mute strings after each time D5 is struck so as to allow no sustain or feedback.
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0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---000--0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0
0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---000--0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0
TRANSITION to Verse 1
Hold last chord until verse.
Transition to Verse 1 (Gtrs 1&2 1x)
End of Riff 2 w/slight p.m.
--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------|--0---3-0-0--5-0-0--6--5--3--------------------------------------------------
0-0---0-0---0-0--|--0---3-0-0--5-0-0--6--5--3--------------------------------------------------
0-0---0-0---0-0--|--0---3-0-0--5-0-0--6--5--3--------------------------------------------------
VERSE 1 (GTRS 1&2) Mostly just D5 again, rhythm is very important.
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0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---00000---0-0---0-0---0-0-
0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---00000---0-0---0-0---0-0-
1.................... 2................ 3....................
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--0-0---0-0---0-0--000-10-12-0-10-12---10---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0
--0-0---0-0---0-0--000-10-12-0-10-12---10---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0
4............ 5................... 6......
Verse 1 Ending
(GTRS 1&2 w/slight p.m.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |--0---3-0-0--5-0-0---
---0-0---0-0---0-0---000--0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0--|-0---3-0-0--5-0-0---
---0-0---0-0---0-0---000--0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0--|-0---3-0-0--5-0-0---
(6)....... 7....................... 8...............................
RIFF 1 (GTRS 1&2 4x)
------- |----------------------------------------------------
--------|----------------------------------------------------
--------|----------------------------------------------------
5--6---|0---3---0----3-5-6---0--0--3----0---3-5-6----
5--6---|0---3---0----3-5-6---0--0--3----0---3-5-6----
5--6---|0---3---0----3-5-6---0--0--3----0---3-5-6----
VERSE 2
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0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---00000---0-0---0-0---0-0--
0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---0-0---00000---0-0---0-0---0-0--
9.................. 10.......... 11....................
Verse 2 Ending (GTRS 1&2) RIFF 1 (GTRS 1&2)
----------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------
----------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------
----------------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------
------------------ |--------3-0-0--5-0-0--7-8--3-4|--0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3
-0-0---0-0---0-0---|0-0----3-0-0--5-0-0--7-8--3-4|--0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3
-0-0---0-0---0-0---|0-0----3-0-0--5-0-0--7-8--3-4|--0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3
12..........................
RIFF 1 is played 2 more times after this (a total of 4x). On the third time, "HOLD IT!"
is screamed and held for the first measure of the riff.
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-5-6---0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3-5-6----
-5-6---0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3-5-6----
-5-6---0---3---0---3-5-6---0--0--3---0---3-5-6----
RIFF 3 (GTRS 1&2)
Part1 Part 2 (slightly different from part 1)
This entire section is repeated 2x exactly as shown below. On the third time, though,
Part 2 is slightly altered to go directly into the bridge.
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3-0--3\5-
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3-0--3\5-
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3-0--3\5-
sl. hmr.
13...............
Part 1 (same as above) Part 2 (slightly altered from above version)
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3--0--3
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3--0--3
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9---9/(5)--3--0--3
13...............
BRIDGE (GTRS 1&2 4x)
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------
0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0-3\5--
0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0-3\5--
0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0--3--0-0--3-0-3\5-
hmr.
This quiet little break builds up to the ending
Both guitars play RIFF 3 very quietly, striking all 6 open strings the first time and letting the three high strings ring throughout the break.
0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
Scream......
RIFF 3 is now played at full volume.
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
hold scream..........................................................
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
At this part, Gtr. 2 begins speed-picking some heavily distorted high notes over
Gtr. 1's RIFF 3. I don't think it is quite exact, but I have attempted to transcribe
these notes above each RIFF 3 below
Gtr. 2
E--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G-15151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515
D-15151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515151515
Gtr. 1
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5
13...............
Gtr. 2 (on four high strings again) Hold last note as Gtr. 1 holds G# chord.
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161616161616161616161616161616161616b.-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16b.16b.-16b.
1515151515151515151515151515151515-----------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gtr. 1 plays RIFF 3 here and ends on G# as shown.
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0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5-6
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5-6
0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5---0---0--0--10-10-10--9-9--9/(5)--3-0--3\5-6
14..................
I have used numbers to represent the lyrics. I know it will be a little confusing, but it's the best I could do in text format. The dots next to the numbers show the length of each phrase.
Here's what the numbers stand for:
Verse 1:
1. Earth Tones Suit You
2. So Give it a Smile
3. If I Could Hold Your Feet Down
4. Get to Know for a While
5. To Make Due is a Promise
6. Hard to Keep Without Help
7. Never Taught to Look In
8. I'm Too Concerned With My HEALTH(scream)
Verse 2:
9. Help Me Spread Right, Ash Is
10. Cow Fertilized
11. Come Down in a Feed Town
12. Strength to Minimize
End:
13. In the Meantime
14. The Meantime
Guitar Key:
/ sl. = slide
\ hmr. = hammer on
b. = bend
/(5) = Slide, but do not strike the notes in parenthesis.
In other words, when the tab reads: 9/(5)
9/(5)
9/(5)
slide from 9 to 5, but don't strike 5
9 5 5
9 5 5
Again, sorry if this is a little confusing. If you know how the song goes, you shouldn't have too much trouble.
This one was also sent to me in Word Document format.
in_the_meantime.doc
