Transcribing Notes From John Neil (Head Transcriber)
Rebel Girl – Bikini Kill – Song Breakdown
Melody
Sung by a rebel girl – Kathleen Hanna, this song can take out some aggressions, or more, in this case, celebrate a woman who holds her head high. Some of it is sung – with a range of Bb3 to D5, some of it is spoken – which can tend to get higher in pitch, and 1 part is screamed – indicated in the tab.
Download the Melody Sheet Music Here
Keyboard
There isn’t a keyboard part in this song, so I made one up (indicating electric piano, but pretty much any keyboard can be used). I had it loosely follow the bass and some guitar parts.
Download the Keyboard Sheet Music Here
Rhythm & Lead Guitar
There are several guitars in this recording, which I narrowed down to 2. Some parts change places so the higher and more active ones ended up as lead guitar. In the solo sections, often both lead and rhythm play solos together. Most of the song consists of power chords, with some higher string chords between.
Download the Lead Guitar Tab Here
Download the Rhythm Guitar Tab Here
Strum Guitar
Being a rather punk-type song, there isn’t really a strum guitar, so a part was made up.
Download the Strum Tab Here
Bass Guitar
A hard driving bass guitar part played with a pick. Lots of mostly repeated note patterns.
Download the Bass Tab Here
Drums
A driving drum part with lots of flams on the snare playing on every beat, then breaking into rock beats for the choruses and outro.
Download the Drum Music Here
Download the Lead Sheet Here
