Bat Chain Puller Tab by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band

Bat Chain Puller tab by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band

Guitar Tab

Bat Chain Puller
 by Captain Beefheart & the Magic Band
 from the album "Shiney Beast (Bat Chain Puller)" (1978)

Transcribed by Gut Suitman

Tuning: in this version, I guess both guitars are tuned in D (DADF#AD).

But.... I have a different opinion on the original 1976 version.  See the
"Special Notes" at the end of this transcription.

        1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|
[R]  D|----------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------------|
     F#----------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------------|
     D|-12-----\10------10-/12--10-/12---|

🎸

Accuracy Rating: - Votes: -

 - after "Bat chain... Puller... bat chain puller"

        1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|
[R1] D|----------------------------------|
x4   A|----------------------------------|
     F#----------------------------------|
     D|-5---5---5---5---7-------3--------|
     A|----------------------------------|
     D|-5---5---5---5---7-------3--------|

[R2] D|----------------------------------|
x4   A|-5---------------------5----------|
     F#-----5---------------5------------|
     D|---------5-------5----------------|
     A|----------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------------|

[L]  D|----------------------------------|
x8   A|----------------------------------|
     F#----------------------------------|
     D|-0-------0-----------0-------0----|
     A|---2-------2-------2-------2------|
     D|-----5-------5---5-------5--------|

 - Repeat 3 times

[R]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#----------------------------|------------------------20--|
     D|-/19---17-14-/19-19-17--21--|-/19---17-14-/19-19-17------|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|----------------------------|----------------------------|

[L]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/7----5--2--/7--7--5---9---|-/7----5--2--/7--7--5---8---|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|----------------------------|----------------------------|

[R]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/19---17-14-/19-19-17--21--|-/19---17-14-/19--17--------|
     A|----------------------------|--------------------17--17--|
     D|----------------------------|----------------------------|

[L]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/7----5--2--/7--7--5---9---|-/7----5--2--/7---5-0---0---|
     A|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|----------------------------|----------------------------|

[R]  D|-----|------------------------|
     A|-----|------------------------|
     F#-----|------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|
     A|-----|------------------------|
     D|-12--|-11-12-11-12-11-12-9----|

[L]  D|-----|------------------------|
     A|-----|------------------------|
     F#-----|------------------------|
     D|-12--|-11-12-11-12-11-12-9----|
     A|-----|------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|

[R]  D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
x2   A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/21-|-/21--19-17-/21-----/21-|-/21-21-21----19---17-------|
     A|-----|------------------------|----------------------17----|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|

[L]  D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
x2   A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/9--|-/9---7--5--/9------/9--|-/9--9--9-----7----5--0-----|
     A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|

[R]  D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
x2   A|--17-|--17---------20------17-|--17-17-17------------20----|
     F#--17-|--17--17-17----------17-|--17-17-17----17---17-------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|

[L]  D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
x2   A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     F#-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/12-|-/12--10-9-/12------/12-|-/12-12-12----10---9-/12----|
     A|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|

Then, repeat  =>  => .

 - after "This train with a grey tube..."

* In order to play this section easily, you should take a slide bar off.
(Maybe some of you can play it with a slide bar on.... but I can't.)
* Basically, each set of phrases starts with Bb.
* Both guitar play the same line in unison for the most part.
In this studio version, however, the left guitar plays different notes a
few times.  Although I transcribed those "left-only" notes as well, I
think you can ignore them since this section was simply played in unison
in later live versions.

[1]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7-------------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------8----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[2]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7------7---------------------------------|
     D|-----8--8-----------8------------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------7----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[3]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7-7---7-------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----------------------------9---------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[4]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7--9----------------------------|
     D|-----8--8----------------------9-------------------------|
     A|---------------------------------------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[5]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8-------------------9----------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7-------------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|-------------------------------9-------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[6]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8-------------8----------------------------------|
     F#--------------10p9p7-----7---7---------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|---------------------------9-----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[L6] D|---------------------------------------------------------|
Left A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
only F#--------------9h10p9p7-7-7---7---------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|---------------------------9-----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[7]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|----8-----8--8-------------------------------------------|
     F#-------------------9-7---10p9p7--9-----------------------|
     D|----8-----8--8-----------------------8-------------------|
     A|---------------------------------------------------------|
     D|-------8-------------------------------------------------|

[8]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8---------------------------8--------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7--9----------------------------|
     D|-----8--8-----------------------8------------------------|
     A|---------------------------------------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[9]  D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     F#--------------9-7---10p9p7------7------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------9----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[L9] D|---------------------------------------------------------|
Left A|-----8--8-----------8------------------------------------|
only F#--------------9-7-------7-------7------------------------|
     D|-----8--8------------------------------------------------|
     A|----------------------------9----------------------------|
     D|--8------------------------------------------------------|

[10] D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     A|-----8--8-----8----------------------------8--8----------|
     F#--------------------11-----11-----11---------------------|
     D|-----8--8-----8----------------------------8--8----------|
     A|--------------------11-----9------11---------------------|
     D|--8----------------------------------------8--8----------|


Then, play the  section again.


While the right guitar keeps playing , the left guitar is going into a sort of solo....

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L1] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
x2   A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     F#----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/5---5-5-8-5-3--------------------|-----------------------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|----|-----------------------------0----|/8---8-8-7-5-3---------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L2] D|----|-----------------------------|
x2   A|----|-----------------------------|
     F#----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5---5---3/5-------|
     A|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5---5---3/5-------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L3] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     F#----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------8\7\5/10----8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5---------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------8\7\5/10----8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5---------------|

Repeat [L2] x1 and [L3] x1

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L4] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     F#----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|-7--/8---7--/8---7--/8---7--/8----|/5----------/5---------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|-7--/8---7--/8---7--/8---7--/8----|/5----------/5---------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L5] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     F#----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/10------8\5--------/10--8\7\5-5--|-----------3/5---------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/10------8\5--------/10--8\7\5-5--|-----------3/5---------------|


************************************************
 < Special Notes on the original 1976 version >
************************************************

Thanks to the Radar Station, I was able to get MP3 files of the original
"Bat Chain Puller" album, recorded in 1976.  Having compared the original
with the 1978 version, I found some differences in the left guitar part of
this song.  (I assume that it is due to a personnel change from Denny
Walley to Richard Redus.)  Also, in my humble opinion, Denny used G tuning
(DGDGBD).

The following tab (in G tuning) is the left guitar of the original version.

        1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|
[L]  D|----------------------------------|
x8   B|----------------------------------|
     G|----------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------------|
     G|-7-4-0---7-4-0---0-4-7---0-4-7----|
     D|----------------------------------|

[L]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     B|----------------------------|------------------------3---|
     G|----------------------------|------------------------3---|
     D|--7----5--2---7--7--5---9---|--7----5--2---7--7--5-------|
     G|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|----------------------------|----------------------------|

[L]  D|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     B|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     G|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|--7----5--2---7--7--5---9---|--7----5--2---7---5-0---0---|
     G|----------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|----------------------------|--------------------0---0---|

[L]  D|-----|------------------------|
     B|-3---|-2--3--2--3--2--3--0----|
     G|-----|------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|
     G|-----|------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|

[L]  D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
x2   B|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     G|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/9--|-/9---7--5--/9------/9--|-/9--9--9-----7----5--0-----|
     G|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-/9--|-/9---7--5--/9------/9--|-/9--9--9-----7----5--0-----|

[L]  D|-----|-----------/3-----------|---------------------/3-----|
x2   B|-/3--|-/3---1--0-/3-------/3--|-/3--3--3-----1----0-/3-----|
     G|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     G|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|
     D|-----|------------------------|----------------------------|


Once you've learned the part in D tuning, it's very easy to play in
G tuning - all the same fingering, with your hand repositioned five
frets lower and one string higher.
Anyway, here's the tab in G tuning....

[1]  D|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2-------------------------------|
     G|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------3----------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[2]  D|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2------2---------------------------------|
     G|-----3--3-----------3------------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------2----------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[3]  D|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2-2---2-------------------------|
     G|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     D|-----------------------------4---------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[4]  D|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2--4----------------------------|
     G|-----3--3----------------------4-------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[5]  D|-----3--3-------------------4----------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2-------------------------------|
     G|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     D|-------------------------------4-------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[6]  D|-----3--3-------------3----------------------------------|
     B|--------------5-p4p2-----2---2---------------------------|
     G|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------4-----------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[7]  D|----3-----3--3-------------------------------------------|
     B|-------------------4-2---5-p4p2--4-----------------------|
     G|----3-----3--3-----------------------3-------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     G|-------3-------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[8]  D|-----3--3---------------------------3--------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2--4----------------------------|
     G|-----3--3-----------------------3------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[9]  D|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     B|--------------4-2---5-p4p2------2------------------------|
     G|-----3--3------------------------------------------------|
     D|----------------------------4----------------------------|
     G|--3------------------------------------------------------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

[10] D|-----3--3-----3----------------------------3--3----------|
     B|--------------------6------6------6----------------------|
     G|-----3--3-----3----------------------------3--3----------|
     D|--------------------6------4------6----------------------|
     G|--3----------------------------------------3--3----------|
     D|---------------------------------------------------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L1] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
x4   B|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-0---0-0/3-0-----------------|
     D|----|----------------------------/3----|------------/3---------------|
     G|----|/3---3-3-2-0----------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|------------/3--------------------|-----------------------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L2] D|----|-----------------------------|
x2   B|----|-----------------------------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8------/8-----5---3/5-------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8------/8-----5---3/5-------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L3] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     B|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5/10------8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5---------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5/10------8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5---------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L2b]D|----|-----------------------------|
     B|----|-----------------------------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7/8\7-5---3/5-------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7/8\7-5---3/5-------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L3b]D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     B|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5/10------8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5-----------5\--|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------7\5/10------8\7-8\7-5----|/5-------5--/5-----------5\--|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L2b]D|----|-----------------------------|
     B|----|-----------------------------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------8\7---5-------------|
     G|----|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/8-------8\7---5-------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L4] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     B|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|-7--/8---7--/8---7--/8---7--/8----|/5----------/5---------------|
     G|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|-7--/8---7--/8---7--/8---7--/8----|/5----------/5---------------|

        *--|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---*----|-1---*---2---*---3---*---4---|
[L5] D|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     F#----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
     D|-0--|/10------8\5--------/10--8\7\5-5--|-----------3/5---------------|
     A|----|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|

Your last visited songs

Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band tabs for Bat chain puller

What is this?

Learn how to play "Bat Chain Puller" by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band with our easy-to-follow guide. Build confidence, sharpen your technique, and enjoy playing guitar.

Who Is This Page For?

This guitar tabs tutorial for "Bat Chain Puller" by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band is crafted for all musicians players ready to learn and grow. Whether you're just starting or refining your skills, this guide meets you where you are.

Why This Page Is Perfect for You

No matter your skill level, this page is a valuable resource for improving your guitar tab playing.

What You Will Gain

By using our guitar tabs, you’ll not only learn to play "Bat Chain Puller" by Captain Beefheart And His Magic Band with accuracy and style, but you'll also elevate your overall musicianship. Explore our full archive of guitar tabs for more songs, skills, and inspiration.

Find guitar tabs and chords

[ Privacy | About us ]

×