Muse - Plug in Babe - Guitar Tab

About Plug in Babe

Drop D tuning is the whole story here. Muse built "Plug in Baby" around one of the most recognisable riffs in modern Alternative Metal, and that riff only makes sense once you drop your low E string down to D. The opening figure runs across all six strings in a way that would be clumsy in standard tuning but falls perfectly under the fingers in Drop D, so get that sorted before anything else. At 128 BPM the riff sits at a tempo that feels comfortable until you try to keep it clean at full speed, because the string changes are tighter than they first appear. The left-hand muting between notes is what separates a sloppy run from a sharp one, so use the Practice Toolbar to loop the riff slowed down and focus on silence as much as sound. The lead work later in the track also demands accurate bending in the upper register, so ear-check your pitch carefully against the recording.

• The main riff is built specifically for Drop D tuning, using a sweeping six-string pattern that relies on the lowered bass string throughout.
• At 128 BPM the riff is approachable for intermediate players, but precise left-hand muting between notes is essential for a clean result.
• The lead sections require controlled string bends in the higher register, so practise pitch accuracy slowly before attempting full speed.