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Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 22:16:49 -0500
From: Bryson Meunier 
Subject: TAB:"Add It Up" by violent femmes

        What femmes fan doesn't love this song? This file is my best attempt
at transcribing the guitar parts to this that is arguably the greatest of
femmes songs. However, I am not the greatest of guitar players and so may
have made some sort of error in transcribing. Furthermore, I'm not posting
all of the guitar parts, only the most significant/audible ones. So,if you
are the greatest of guitar players, or if you just have something that I
neglected to add, don't hesitate to post. Questions or comments are welcome
at meunier.1@osu.edu  Have fun with it.

                     "Add It Up"(Gordon Gano)

Performed by the Violent Femmes on "violent femmes"(1982) 
Guitar parts transcribed here performed on the album by Gordon Gano
Transcribed by Bryson Meunier

   Day...after day
   I will walk...and I will play
   but the day...after today
   I will stop...and I will start

The rhythm part of this song consists of basically two chords, B5 and A. It
would be difficult and ultimately unnecessary for me to tab the whole thing
because the rhythm is not that difficult to figure out. Just listen to the
music and play along. The tabbed chords look like this though for those of
you that don't know:
 
   E---------(2)-----|
   B--(4)-----2------|
   G---4------2------|
   D---4------2------|
   A---2-------------|
   E-----------------|

Play them along with the lyrics like this:

   
   B5
   Why can't I get ...(2x)
   A
   believe me there'd be some ...
        B5 (stop abruptly)
   but I look at your pants ...

The rhythm is the same for the next verse which goes like this:

   Why can't I get just ...(2x)
   believe me I'd ....
   but something won't let me ....

At this point there's a little interlude that's dominated melodically by the
bass. The guitar in the background plays something similar to the verse
figure. Feel free to post it if you want to take the time to figure it out.

   Why can't I get ....(2x)
   I guess it's got something ....
   but I waited my ....

 The chord progression for the chorus is similar to the verse:

   B5                       A                  B5
   Day...after day...I get angry...a....
                          A               B5
   sight...when I take a bow.......

The next verse is the same chord progression, only palm muted

   Mo my momma momma mo my ...

   Mo my momma momma mo my ....
 
   Don't shoot shoot shoot ....

This is the guitar solo that they play on the first album. The version on
"Add It Up(1981-1993)" is different, I know, in that this and the outro solo
are a lot longer. If someone wants to figure out that version I'd love to
see it. However, at present this is all that's available. You'll have to
figure out the timing but I think you'll find that it's really not that tough.

   guitar solo(light distortion)-
                          (gradual release)
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B-----------------------------------------------------|
   G---9br--9br--9br---9--9b--9-9-9-9-9-r-7---9-9-9-9--7-|
   D-----------------------------------------------------|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|

                             (1/2 step)

   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B---------7-------------------------------------------|
   G-7--9-9-----7--9--7--------7b--5-------5-----5---7-7-|
   D---------------------9------------7-------7----------|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
                     (1/2 step)
   E-----------------------------------------------------|
   B-----------------------------------------7-----------|
   G---5-----5-----5----9b--7-7--9-9--7--9------9--7-----|
   D------7-----7-------------------------------------9--|
   A-----------------------------------------------------|
   E-----------------------------------------------------|

   E----------7--|
   B----------7--|
   G----------7--|
   D-------------|
   A-------------|
   E-------------|
.
The guitar part on the outro doesn't sound that difficult or significant.
For the most part, it just sounds like the guitar is freely moving up and
down the neck around the seventh fret on the E,B and G strings. This part is
bass dominated anyway so it really shouldn't matter what you play.
Regardless of what you end up playing, end the song on B5.  
     That's it. Have a great time playing it and e-mail me if you have any
questions or comments.

symbols used in transcription:
b = bend
r = release