If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for “Sunrise” by Norah Jones, nailing the feel of this track requires a deep pocket and a beautifully muted, acoustic tone. Bassist Lee Alexander drives this morning jazz-pop staple with a wonderfully round upright bass line, using tasteful slides and gentle syncopation to lock in perfectly with the acoustic guitar. Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my personal Session Notes on how to recreate that vintage thump on a standard electric bass, and the original track to play along with.
Get the Accurate Sunrise Bass Transcription (PDF & Sheet Music)
Feel free to just jump straight in to the tab and sheet music at the links below, but make sure you come back to check out my session notes on tone, technique, and the song’s breakdown!
👉 Download on Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download on Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download on MuseScore
You can also find our sheet music for sale in over 5,000 Hal Leonard InStore digital retailers with print-on-demand options available (availability may vary per store)!
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Listen To The Original Track
Before you dive into the sheet music, press play below and pay close attention to how Lee Alexander’s bouncy, muted bass notes lock in perfectly with the acoustic guitar rhythm.
Song Structure:
- 0:00 – Intro: The acoustic guitar sets the rhythm, and the upright bass enters almost immediately to establish the bouncy, laid-back groove.
- 0:20 – Verse 1: Norah’s vocals begin. Listen to how the bass perfectly anchors the acoustic guitar’s strumming pattern with short, punchy root notes.
- 0:46 – Chorus 1: The bassline opens up slightly, using tasteful passing notes to connect the chord changes without ever falling out of that deep pocket.
- 1:06 – Verse 2: The groove settles right back into the bouncing, syncopated rhythm. Notice how quickly the bass notes decay to give the song its signature “thump.”
- 1:29 – Chorus 2: The upright bass provides a beautiful, round foundation beneath the vocal melody, gently driving the track forward.
- 1:51 – Interlude: A great moment to focus purely on the tone of the bass in the mix—warm, woody, and incredibly supportive.
- 2:14 – Bridge: The bass shifts its pattern here, moving just enough to build dynamic tension before smoothly resolving back to the main progression.
- 2:39 – Chorus 3: Listen for the subtle fretless-style slides that Lee Alexander uses to connect the roots, adding that classic jazz-pop flair.
- 2:58 – Chorus 4: The bass stays remarkably disciplined, never overplaying or stepping on the vocals even as the song reaches its emotional peak.
- 3:17 – Outro: The track gracefully winds down, with the bass holding down the final roots and cementing that perfect morning vibe.
Song Information
Title: Sunrise
Artist: Norah Jones
Album: Feels Like Home
Bassist: Lee Alexander
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Standard Tuning
Key: A♭ Major
Tempo: 157
Bass Diary Entry
This is another one that, in my early days of getting into music, wasn’t really something I would have naturally gravitated towards. I was far more into rock and metal at the time, so this style of music sat a bit outside of what I’d normally choose to listen to myself.
That said, Norah Jones’ first couple of albums were played a lot by my parents when I was younger, so this song was always around in the background. Sunrise in particular was one that seemed to stick with me, even back then. There’s just something about the warmth and simplicity of it that makes it instantly likeable.
Coming back to it now, I’ve got a much greater appreciation for how well put together it is. The arrangement is subtle and tasteful, and everything has its place without anything feeling overplayed. It’s the kind of track that doesn’t try too hard, but ends up being incredibly effective because of that restraint.
From a bass perspective, it’s all about feel, tone and sitting right in the pocket. The bass line gently supports the chords and rhythm without ever drawing too much attention to itself, which is exactly what the song calls for. It’s a great exercise in control and musicality — focusing on how you play the notes rather than how many notes you play.
It’s funny how songs like this come back around later in life. What might not have been your go-to choice at the time ends up being something you really appreciate years down the line, and Sunrise is definitely one of those tracks for me.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
While Come Away With Me is a slow, sweeping waltz, Sunrise has a much more bouncy, optimistic, and slightly syncopated feel. Lee Alexander’s bassline here is slightly more active, utilizing thoughtful passing notes and a highly rhythmic phrasing that connects the chord changes seamlessly. The key to playing this track is locking in with the acoustic guitar’s strumming pattern. You want your notes to feel bouncy but grounded—never rushing the tempo, but giving the song a gentle forward momentum.
Emulating the Upright Tone
Like much of Alexander’s work with Norah Jones, this was recorded on an acoustic upright double bass. The tone is incredibly warm, with a very fast decay (meaning the notes die out quickly rather than ringing out).
If you are playing this on an electric bass, here is how to capture that vibe:
- The “Foam Mute” Trick: Because the notes in Sunrise need to be short and punchy, slide a standard kitchen sponge or a piece of foam directly under your strings right at the bridge. This instantly kills the modern sustain of an electric bass and gives you a beautiful, vintage “thud.”
- Pluck with your thumb: Instead of using your index and middle fingers, try plucking the strings with the fleshy side of your thumb, resting your hand near the end of the neck. This completely removes the sharp attack of your fingernails and mimics the thick, meaty pull of an upright bass player.
- Roll off your highs: As always with this genre, turn your tone knob down to remove any treble or fret noise.
Get the Official Sheet Music
You’ve made it this far, now make sure you check out the officially licensed bass tab and sheet music from the below retailers!
👉 Download on Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download on Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download on MuseScore
Affiliate Note: This page may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For full details on affiliate links, please see the Affiliate Link Policy.
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