If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for “What’s My Age Again?” by Blink-182, you have found the right spot. The lead single from their massive 1999 album Enema of the State, this track is the definition of high-speed pop-punk. Played entirely in Standard Tuning (EADG) at a relentless 158 BPM, the bass line requires absolute precision and extreme right-hand stamina. Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my Session Notes on surviving this tempo using strict alternate picking, and a timestamped breakdown to help you lock in the groove.
Get the Accurate What’s My Age Again? 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
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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 perfectly anchors the chaotic, high-speed energy of this pop-punk anthem.
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 0:14 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 legendary syncopated guitar riff. The bass drops in directly on the root notes, providing the driving eighth-note foundation that makes the off-beat guitar work so well.
- 0:12 – Verse 1: The guitar drops out, leaving the bass and drums to carry the entire verse. Keep your picking completely even and locked tightly to the kick drum.
- 0:25 – Chorus 1: The full band explodes back in. Maintain your stamina and keep driving those root notes hard beneath the vocal melody.
- 0:42 – Verse 2: Back to the exposed bass and drum groove. Stay completely in the pocket and don’t let the adrenaline from the chorus make you rush the tempo.
- 0:55 – Chorus 2: Hit this chorus with the exact same aggressive pick attack as the first. Ensure every note speaks clearly and cuts through the mix.
- 1:09 – Instrumental Bridge: This section is all about the dramatic rhythmic shift. The groove opens up, and you need to lock in perfectly with Travis’s snare and kick accents. Keep your time incredibly tight as the tension builds layer by layer toward the final drop.
- 1:34 – Chorus 3: The final massive chorus. Dig in with your pick, push through any forearm burn, and drive those eighth notes home.
- 1:48 – Chorus 4: The final massive chorus. Dig in with your pick, push through any forearm burn, and drive those eighth notes home.
- 2:02 – Outro: The track wraps up with a return to the main riff and a few final, abrupt hits. Make sure you use your fretting hand to mute the strings perfectly on that very last chord to stick the landing.
Song Information
Title: What’s My Age Again
Artist: Blink-182
Album: Enema Of The State
Bassist: Mark Hoppus
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Standard Tuning
Key: F♯ Major
Tempo: 158
Bass Diary Entry: Growing Up… Optional
Fun fact — I only just properly watched the music video for this for the first time today.
Hard to believe it’s taken this long, but thinking about it, I was always far more into albums and live footage than singles or music videos. That was always where I got my fix — full records front to back, or watching bands tear it up live.
That said… finally seeing this video? Worth the wait.
It’s one of those genuinely iconic music videos from that era — chaotic, ridiculous, and completely in line with Blink’s sense of humour at the time. It perfectly matches the energy of the song: carefree, immature, and not taking itself seriously in the slightest.
As for the track itself, it’s classic Blink at their absolute peak. That opening riff is instantly recognisable, and once it kicks in, it just doesn’t let go. It’s fast, melodic, and packed with attitude — everything that made that era of pop-punk so addictive.
Lyrically, it taps into that whole idea of refusing to grow up, or at least questioning whether you’re supposed to have it all figured out by a certain age. It’s relatable, but delivered with that unmistakable Blink twist — humour first, introspection second.
From a bass perspective, it’s a brilliant example of driving a song without overcomplicating it. Tight, consistent, and locked right in with the drums, keeping that momentum going from start to finish. It’s one of those lines that feels simple, but absolutely makes the track what it is.
It’s fun, it’s iconic, and now that I’ve finally seen the video… yeah, it somehow makes the song even better.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
The harmony here is built on a classic, fast-paced punk progression (F#, C#, D#m, B). Because the tempo is so incredibly fast, the groove is entirely dependent on your ability to lock your eighth notes directly onto Travis Barker’s kick drum. The bass drops out during the iconic intro and interlude, meaning every time you re-enter for the verses and choruses, you have to hit the ground running at full speed. There is no time to ramp up; you must be perfectly in the pocket on beat one.
Emulating the Pop-Punk Tone
Getting that signature bright, aggressive tone at 158 BPM requires an incredibly disciplined right hand:
- The Alternate Picking Engine: At this speed, strict alternate picking (up-down-up-down) is mandatory to avoid entirely burning out your forearm. The challenge is making it sound aggressive. You must ensure your upstrokes strike the string with the exact same velocity and bite as your downbeats. If your picking is uneven, the entire track will sound like it is limping.
- Fret-Hand Discipline: Because you are flying across the fretboard, sloppy fingerings will cause massive amounts of string noise. Keep your left hand perfectly synced with your right, and mute the strings you aren’t playing.
- The “Clank”: Use a heavy pick and fresh roundwound strings. Keep your volume and tone knobs maxed out, and boost the high-mids on your amp so that every single alternate pick stroke cuts through the distorted guitars like a razor.
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 What’s My Age Again? 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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