If you are looking for accurate bass tabs and sheet music for “Wake” by Linkin Park, you are diving into the atmospheric, tension-building intro to their 2007 album Minutes to Midnight. As a purely instrumental opener, it sets a massive, cinematic tone before the record violently explodes into “Given Up.” Below, you will find the officially licensed sheet music, my Session Notes on how to capture that deep, swelling bass tone, and a timestamped breakdown to help you practice along.
This track is just one part of our complete archive of verified [Linkin Park bass tabs and sheet music], which features full sheet music and tabs for their biggest songs.
Because of its massive commercial impact, this song is featured on our directory of [Platinum-Certified Albums Bass Tabs] for Minutes To Midnight.
Get the Accurate What I’ve Done 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!
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👉 Download from MuseScore
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Listen To The Original Track
Before you dive into the sheet music, press play below and listen closely to how the bass acts as a swelling, ambient foundation before the heavy guitars finally drop in.
Song Structure:
- 0:00 – Intro: The track begins with ambient noise, vinyl scratching, and a slow build of synths and light percussion. The bass is completely out here. Let the atmospheric tension build naturally and prepare for the drop.
- 1:03 – Instrumental Refrain: The full band drops in with heavy, dramatic power chords. The bass makes its massive entrance here, locking in with the drums and providing a huge, driving Drop D foundation that sets the stage perfectly for the immediate, aggressive transition into the next track.
Song Information
Title: Wake
Artist: Linkin Park
Album: Minutes To Midnight
Bassist: Dave “Phoenix” Farrell
Difficulty: Beginner
Tuning: Drop D
Key: G Minor
Tempo: 125
Bass Diary Entry: The Calm Before the Chaos
I remember hearing Minutes To Midnight for the first time, and when this intro started building, there was this sense that something had changed. Then when the band kicks in — goosebumps. Proper moment. It felt like the start of something new.
That opening isn’t just an intro, it’s a statement.
It’s like the band shedding that earlier nu-metal skin and stepping into a completely different space. Not abandoning what made them great, but evolving it.
There’s no rush to it either. Wake takes its time, builds atmosphere, and lets everything breathe before it opens up. That patience makes the payoff hit so much harder when it finally arrives.
From a bass perspective, it’s less about groove and more about presence. Supporting the build, reinforcing the weight as the track grows, and helping that transition from quiet to powerful feel seamless. It’s subtle, but it plays a key role in setting the tone for everything that follows.
As an album opener, it couldn’t be more fitting. It sets expectations, shifts the mood, and leads perfectly into the punch of Given Up.
It’s not just an intro — it’s the sound of a band stepping into a new era.
Session Notes: Tone & Technique
The Groove & Harmony
“Wake” is an exercise in patience and massive dynamic impact. For the entire first minute, your job is simply to wait as the cinematic tension builds. When the refrain finally hits, the challenge is delivering a massive, resonant foundation that perfectly matches the heavy guitars. Even though you are likely playing this on a Drop D-tuned bass to prep for the rest of the album’s setlist, you actually never strike the open D string; the lowest note you will ride is the Eb on the first fret to anchor the G Minor progression. It is not just entirely static root notes, either—there are some really nice, tasteful little fills in this section that are incredibly fun to play and add great melodic movement before the track abruptly ends.
Emulating the Alt-Rock Tone
To nail this cinematic tone, you need a massive low-end and a confident, heavy attack when the band finally drops in. Here is how to dial it in:
- The Heavy Drop: When you enter at 1:03, you want a classic tube amp model pushed just to the edge of breakup. You need enough grit to match the heavy wall of guitars, but keep it warm and mid-focused rather than aggressively overdriven so you don’t lose the low-end weight.
- Pick Attack: Grab a heavy pick (like a 1.2mm) to dig into those big, sustained root notes and articulate those melodic fills. You want enough bite on the attack to ensure the bass is felt instantly on the downbeat, locking in perfectly with the massive snare and kick drum hits.
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 Wake 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
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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