If you follow us on facebook, you may know this already, but if not be sure to check out our ‘Official Tab/Score’ page to view and/or download PDF files for the song Vacillation. We uploaded tab for two guitar tracks, as well as tab for the bass track.

A couple notes for you about the tab and the music. The current version of the tab software we use when we’re writing and practicing these songs (Guitar Pro) apparently takes issue with tuning a bass down a step and then also dropping the low string another step (typical ‘drop C’ tuning) so all of the notes on the staff are off by a step. I’m going to try and figure out a work-around and re-upload the tab, but until then just focus on the actual tab and ignore the staff. Unless you wanna try to transpose in your head…which is totally possible if you simply pretend your bass is in standard drop D and you change the key signature from C minor to D minor (in D minor, only the B is flat, where C minor the B, E and A are all flat).

The song predominately revolves around the C harmonic minor scale. For those of you who aren’t familiar with theory (or at least the harmonic scale), that basically means that most of the times that we play the 7th note of the scale (in this case B flat) we raise it a half step (or one fret on the guitar). Another aspect of the C harmonic scale is the fact that it takes the minor chord on the fifth note of the typical minor scale (in this case G) and makes it major. This is most clearly audible in the verses and choruses of Vacillation.

When recording and performing this song, I use several techniques to play the various parts. At different times during the song, there is sweep picking, tapping, string skipping, of course hammer-ons and pull-offs, alternate picking, legato runs, pedal tones, and so on. My suggestion to you is to just play it however you feel most comfortable playing it. Feel free to alter the fingering and the positioning of some of the notes if they don’t feel natural when you play through it. When you really get down to it, there’s not really a wrong or a right way to play anything on the guitar. What’s super easy and makes perfect sense to you might seem impossible to another guitar player. All that to say that if you find yourself really straining your hands to play a certain part, break it down and try to find an alternative fingering or positioning that works better for you!

Alright, I’ve rambled on long enough about this thing. If you have any questions about the song, feel free to hit me up on facebook or send me an email (james[at]hopeforthedying.com) and I’ll try to help you out.

I hope you enjoy learning the song!!

Peace,
-James | HFTD