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Intermediate bass guitar tabs for "Planet Of The Clowns" by Bruce Cockburn, in B minor at about 81 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Bass Guitar Tabs for "Planet Of The Clowns" by Bruce Cockburn

Preview of the intermediate bass guitar tab arrangement for “Planet Of The Clowns” by Bruce Cockburn.

Planet Of The Clowns
Bass Guitar Tabs

Tab notationFretboard tab

The bass guitar part reads as a fretboard tab, arranged to sit naturally for the instrument.

Difficulty

Intermediate

For players comfortable with the basics.

Inside the music
Signature

Music DNA

Genrerock · folk · acoustic
Moodmelancholic · reflective
Signatureacoustic folk‑rock ballad with a haunting, introspective atmosphere
B minor
Key
81
BPM
4/4
Time
Chords

The progression

Bm
Emin/5
Bm7
G
Gmaj7
A7
A
Em
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroVersePre‑chorusChorusVersePre‑chorusChorusBridgeInstrumental breakFinal chorusOutro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

acoustic guitar
fingerpicked arpeggios and gentle strumming providing the harmonic backbone
vocals
male lead voice, clear and expressive, delivering the lyrics with a gentle, narrative tone
bass guitar
warm, round, syncopated bassline driving the groove
organ/piano
warm, sustained chords and occasional melodic lines that add depth and a slightly vintage texture
electric guitar
subtle, clean melodic fills that accentuate phrasing
drums
soft, brushed kit with light cymbal work, keeping a steady, understated pulse
Album & artist
ALBUM

The Trouble With Normal (1983)

Recorded in late 1982 and early 1983 at Manta Sound in Toronto, this album finds Cockburn sharpening his political focus with a harder-edged sound. It marked a transitional moment as he moved toward the more outspoken work that would follow.

All of The Trouble With Normal
Artist

Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn is a Canadian singer-songwriter from Ottawa who has been recording since the early 1970s. His music moves across folk, rock, jazz, and world music, and his lyrics frequently address spiritual themes, environmental concerns, and political injustice. He has long been one of Canada's most respected guitarists, and his catalog stretches across more than two dozen studio albums.

All Bruce Cockburn songs
How it works

From a recording to your part in three steps

  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

    Paste a YouTube link or upload an audio file, the studio cut, a live take, or a cover.

  2. Step 2
    We transcribe it

    Our model listens and arranges this exact performance for bass guitar, at your chosen level.

  3. Step 3
    Play & export

    Read it on screen, transpose, slow it down, and export the tabs when it feels right.

Ready to play it?

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FAQ

Good to know

What key is "Planet Of The Clowns" in?

"Planet Of The Clowns" by Bruce Cockburn is in B minor.

What is the tempo of "Planet Of The Clowns"?

"Planet Of The Clowns" plays at around 81 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chords are in "Planet Of The Clowns"?

The core progression is Bm, Emin/5, Bm7, G, Gmaj7, and A7, built around the B minor tonal center.

What instruments play on "Planet Of The Clowns"?

The recording features acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, organ/piano, and vocals.

Can I get "Planet Of The Clowns" bass guitar tabs?

Yes. This is the intermediate bass guitar tabs arrangement of "Planet Of The Clowns" by Bruce Cockburn, transcribed by Songscription.

Is "Planet Of The Clowns" bass guitar tabs easy to play?

"Planet Of The Clowns" bass guitar tabs comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 81 BPM in B minor with 11 chords to navigate, the part sits at a comfortable intermediate level. You can switch levels on this page before you save it.

Is there an easy, beginner version of "Planet Of The Clowns" bass guitar tabs?

Yes. The beginner bass guitar tabs for "Planet Of The Clowns" simplifies the busiest passages and rhythms while keeping the melody, so it is the easiest way to start. The intermediate and advanced arrangements are one tap away when you want more of the original.

What album is "Planet Of The Clowns" on?

"Planet Of The Clowns" appears on The Trouble With Normal (1983).

How does Songscription turn a song into sheet music?

Give it a recording, a YouTube link or an audio file, and its AI transcribes that performance into notation for the instrument and level you choose.

Can I get sheet music for a live or cover version?

Yes. The score is generated from whatever recording you pick, so a live take, a remix, or a cover each match that exact performance.

What instruments and formats are available?

Piano, guitar, violin, trumpet, sax, bass, drums, vocals and more, as standard sheet music, a piano roll, or guitar tabs.

Is Songscription free to use?

You can try it free, with no credit card needed.

Can I download the sheet music as a PDF?

Yes. You get a downloadable PDF, plus in-app playback and the option to transpose or adjust the arrangement before you print.

How accurate is the transcription?

It is produced by AI trained on millions of bars of music, and you can play it back and fine-tune any details before you download.

Is this transcription licensed?

Yes. We have licensed this track from its publisher, so we are permitted to transcribe it and provide the sheet music to you.

Transcribed from licensed catalogs by AI trained on millions of bars of music.

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