If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for “Dammit” by Blink-182, you are in the right place. As the career-defining single from their 1997 breakout album Dude Ranch, this track features one of the most iconic bass riffs in alternative rock history. Sitting at 222 BPM, this song is a masterclass in driving energy and melodic simplicity. Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my Session Notes on nailing the technique, and a timestamped breakdown to help you practice along.
Get the Accurate Dammit 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)!
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Listen To The Original Track
Before you dive into the sheet music, press play below and listen to how the bass riff provides the harmonic foundation and driving energy that carries the entire arrangement.
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 0:03 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: Once the bass enters after the guitar intro it establishes the groove immediately.
- 0:18 – Verse 1: Supporting the vocal melody while maintaining the established line.
- 0:36 – Interlude 1: A reappearance of the main riff; a key section for those practicing the song’s signature hook.
- 0:44 – Verse 2: Continuing the foundational groove with consistent rhythmic drive.
- 1:02 – Chorus 1: The high-energy section where the bass provides the harmonic lift.
- 1:19 – Interlude 2: A second return to the main riff, acting as a structural bridge.
- 1:28 – Verse 3: The final verse section; pay close attention to the transition into the final chorus.
- 1:46 – Chorus 2: Reinforcing the main theme with full presence.
- 2:03 – Bridge: A melodic departure from the primary patterns; essential for players looking to master the full arrangement.
- 2:19 – Outro: The final movement of the track leading to a definitive resolution.
Song Information
Title: Dammit
Artist: Blink-182
Album: Dude Ranch
Bassist: Mark Hoppus
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Standard Tuning
Key: C Major
Tempo: 222
Bass Diary Entry: The Quintessential Blink Anthem
This is easily one of my all-time favourite Blink-182 tracks, and one that’s tied to some brilliant memories. I’ll always remember the time my friends and I were messing around making goofy home movies with my old video camera — we ended up putting together a “trailer” for a completely fake video game set to this song.
The game? Unreal Mercenaries.
It starred my group of mates as a bunch of completely incompetent mercenaries attempting to take down… me, as a Jedi Knight (obviously). Safe to say, it didn’t go well for them. Absolute chaos from start to finish — and Dammit was the perfect soundtrack to it all.
As for the song itself, it really is the quintessential Blink track. It’s got everything — that instantly recognisable riff, the punchy energy, the melodic hooks — it just hits all the right notes. It’s one of those songs that never really leaves your rotation, no matter how much your taste evolves over time.
From a bass perspective, it’s a great example of how effective simplicity can be. The bassline drives the song forward with that classic, tight pop-punk feel, locking in perfectly with the drums while giving the track its momentum. It’s fun, energetic, and just feels great to play.
It might be a staple, but there’s a reason for that — Dammit is Blink-182 at their absolute best, and it’s a song I’ll probably never get tired of.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
The magic of this track lies in the C – G – Am – F progression. While the guitar provides the crunch, the bass provides the “hook”. At 222 BPM, the primary challenge is stamina and rhythmic consistency. Unlike many other tracks in this genre that rely on aggressive downpicking, “Dammit” is played using alternate picking (down-up-down-up).
Because the tempo is so high, alternate picking allows you to maintain the necessary 8th-note pulse with much more efficiency and fluidity. The goal is to make your upstrokes sound just as consistent and powerful as your downstrokes, creating a seamless “wall of sound” that drives the song forward.
Emulating the Pop-Punk Tone
To get that classic 1997 Hoppus sound, you need a tone that is bright, punchy, and slightly “clacky.”
- The Pick: Use a heavy-gauge pick (like a 1.0mm or higher) to ensure the strings snap against the frets.
- The Technique: Focus on a steady alternate picking motion, keeping your wrist loose to handle the 222 BPM speed.
- The Strings: Fresh roundwounds are a must to get that metallic top-end zing.
- EQ Settings: Boost your High-Mids (around 800Hz – 1kHz) to help the bass cut through the wall of distorted guitars. Keep the Low-Mids present but clear to avoid muddiness.
- Drive: A light touch of overdrive or “grit” will help fill out the sound, especially during the intro when the bass is solo.
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 Dammit 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.
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