If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for “Bored to Death” by Blink-182, you are in the right place. As the lead single from their 2016 comeback album California, this track proved that Mark Hoppus hadn’t lost a single step. Sitting at a driving 160 BPM, this song is a masterclass in modern pop-punk bass playing, requiring rock-solid alternate picking and massive stamina. Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my Session Notes on nailing the technique, links to dedicated backing tracks, and a timestamped breakdown to help you practice along.
Get the Accurate Bored To Death 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 from Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download from Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download from MuseScore
👉 Download from Musicnotes
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)!
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.
Listen To The Original Track
Before you dive into the sheet music, press play below and listen to how the bass perfectly bridges the gap between the frantic drums and the melodic guitars.
Song Structure:
Before getting into the song structure below, it is worth noting that the above is the music video which has an extended intro of about about 0:10 before the song actually starts, so I have based the timings on the studio version of the song (pasted below the song structure for reference as well).
- 0:00 – Intro: The song kicks off with that iconic, slightly delayed guitar riff. Take a breath and get your picking hand positioned for the drop.
- 0:09 – Verse 1: The bass and drums come driving in. Keep your eighth notes completely even and locked tightly to the kick drum.
- 0:33 – Pre-Chorus 1: The rhythm shifts slightly as the tension builds. Make sure your picking hand stays relaxed but precise as you navigate the changes.
- 0:42 – Chorus 1: Open it up! The chord progression gets huge here. Maintain your picking velocity to ensure the low end fully supports that massive vocal hook.
- 1:06 – Verse 2: Drop back into the tight, driving rhythm. It is incredibly easy to rush here—don’t let the adrenaline from the first chorus pull you ahead of the beat.
- 1:29 – Pre-Chorus 2: Build the tension right back up. Lock in with Travis Barker’s drum accents and prepare for the next big jump.
- 1:39 – Chorus 2: Hit this chorus with the exact same intensity as the first one. Dig in and make sure those root notes are cutting through the mix clearly.
- 2:03 – Bridge: A classic Blink-182 dynamic breakdown. The bass takes on a slightly more rhythmic, melodic role here beneath the vocals. Watch your timing carefully as the drums start getting more frantic.
- 2:45 – Chorus 3: The final massive chorus. You need peak right-hand stamina here. Push through the burn and keep those eighth notes totally consistent.
- 3:09 – Outro: The final explosive push. Follow the band through the heavy syncopated hits and sprint to the finish line, ending on a solid, ringing chord.
Song Information
Title: Bored To Death
Artist: Blink-182
Album: California
Bassist: Mark Hoppus
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Standard Tuning
Key: C Major
Tempo: 160
Bass Diary Entry: Change in Line-Up, Not in Spirit
When it comes to Blink-182, I’ve always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Tom DeLonge. On record, I absolutely love what he brings to the band — but live, let’s just say it didn’t always hit the same for me as a long-time fan.
So when Tom stepped away again and Blink announced they were continuing with Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio, I was genuinely intrigued. It felt like a big shift, and I was curious to hear what Blink-182 would sound like with a new voice and dynamic at the front.
Then came Bored to Death.
This track is an absolute tune and a standout from California — an album I still go back to regularly. It manages to feel fresh while still holding onto that core Blink identity, which isn’t an easy balance to strike when you’re effectively redefining part of the band.
There’s something really interesting about this era of Blink as well. Listening to Fahrenheit-182 by Mark Hoppus gave a lot more context to what was going on behind the scenes during this period, and it definitely made me appreciate this chapter of the band even more.
From a bass perspective, Bored to Death is a great example of how effective simple, well-placed lines can be. It’s not overly flashy, but it does exactly what it needs to — supporting the song, reinforcing the groove and letting the melody breathe where it needs to.
While I was happy to see Tom eventually return, this era with Matt Skiba stepping into that frontman/guitar role will always hold a special place for me. It was different, sure — but it worked, and it gave us songs like this.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
“Bored to Death” is a relentless eighth-note machine. At 160 BPM, the bass acts as the absolute anchor of the song, locking in tightly with Travis Barker’s hi-hats and snare. The progression is heavily root-note focused, but the real challenge is consistency. You cannot let your time waver during the transitions between the verses and the massive, wide-open choruses.
Emulating the Pop-Punk Tone
Mark’s tone on the California album is incredibly punchy and sits beautifully in the mix. To get this sound:
- Alternate Picking is Mandatory: Do not try to down-pick this entire song; your forearm will lock up. Use strict, aggressive alternate picking to maintain a steady, percussive attack across all the strings.
- Fresh Strings & Mid-Range: You need a metallic, piano-like clarity to cut through the guitars. Use fresh roundwound strings, boost your high-mids (around 800Hz), and keep your low-end tight rather than muddy.
- Pick Hard, but Smart: Dig in with your pick to get that slight fret buzz, but let your amplifier do the heavy lifting for volume.
Get the Official Sheet Music
You’ve made it this far, so don’t settle for “close enough” tabs that often miss the nuances that make a bass line groove.
This Bored To Death bass transcription is the result of hours of deep listening and research, ensuring you’re playing exactly what’s on the record.
Whether you’re prepping for a session or mastering your favourite tracks at home, get the professional edge with our officially licensed sheet music that ensures songwriters and performers are respected.from the below retailers!
👉 Download from Sheet Music Direct
👉 Download from Sheet Music Plus
👉 Download from MuseScore
👉 Download from Musicnotes
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.
Explore More Bass Tabs
Mastered Bored To Death and want to learn more?
👉 More from Blink-182
👉 More from The Bass Diaries Officially Licensed Sheet Music Collection
