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Intermediate bass guitar tabs for "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Michael Martin Murphey, in D major at about 83 BPM. Transcribed from the track by Songscription. Available as an easy beginner, intermediate, or advanced arrangement.

Intermediate Bass Guitar Tabs for "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Michael Martin Murphey

Preview of the intermediate bass guitar tab arrangement for “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” by Michael Martin Murphey.

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by Michael Martin Murphey
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

Genreacoustic folk · traditional folk · holiday folk
Moodpeaceful · nostalgic
Signaturegentle acoustic folk ballad with a classic Christmas feel
D major
Key
83
BPM
4/4
Time
Chords

The progression

D
A7
Bm7
Bmin/b7
A
F♯7
Bm
B♭°
Form

Structure & dynamics

IntroVerseChorusVerseChorusOutro
Instrumentation

What's in the mix

acoustic guitar
fingerpicked, warm, and intimate
male lead vocals
clear, warm, and expressive, delivering the melody with a gentle, heartfelt tone
acoustic bass
soft, supportive, and melodic
acoustic drums
light, brush‑based percussion providing a subtle pulse
Album & artist
ALBUM

Cowboy Christmas (Cowboy Songs II) (1991)

All of Cowboy Christmas (Cowboy Songs II)
Artist

Michael Martin Murphey

Michael Martin Murphey is a singer-songwriter from Texas who started out as one of the early figures in progressive country during the 1970s, scoring pop and country hits like 'Wildfire' and 'What's Forever For'. Over time he shifted toward traditional cowboy and Western music, becoming a leading voice in that revival and earning a gold record for Cowboy Songs, the first cowboy album to go gold in decades. He has also recorded bluegrass, and his catalog spans more than fifty years of American roots music.

All Michael Martin Murphey songs
How it works

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  1. Step 1
    Bring the recording

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  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.

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FAQ

Good to know

What key is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" in?

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Michael Martin Murphey is in D major.

What is the tempo of "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"?

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" plays at around 83 BPM in 4/4 time.

What chords are in "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"?

The core progression is D, A7, Bm7, Bmin/b7, A, and F♯7, built around the D major tonal center.

What instruments play on "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day"?

The recording features acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, acoustic drums, and male lead vocals.

Can I get "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" bass guitar tabs?

Yes. This is the intermediate bass guitar tabs arrangement of "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" by Michael Martin Murphey, transcribed by Songscription.

Is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" bass guitar tabs easy to play?

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" bass guitar tabs comes in beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, so there is an easy version to start with. At 83 BPM in D major with 18 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 "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" bass guitar tabs?

Yes. The beginner bass guitar tabs for "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" 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 "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" on?

"I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" appears on Cowboy Christmas (Cowboy Songs II) (1991).

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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