Product Description
This product is a professionally transcribed, simplified sheet music arrangement and bass guitar tablature for the heartfelt pop ballad When I Was Your Man, performed by multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning artist Bruno Mars. Arranged specifically for 4-string bass in standard E tuning (E-A-D-G), this transcription captures the emotional depth and subtle groove of one of Bruno Mars's most powerful and intimate recordings.
Originally released in 2012 as part of his chart-topping sophomore album "Unorthodox Jukebox", When I Was Your Man is a piano-driven pop and R&B ballad written in the key of B Major / G# minor. The songs soulful vocals and expressive lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, regret, and longing, supported by minimal but meaningful instrumentation a perfect foundation for a sensitive and supportive bass line.
This simplified bass arrangement has been carefully crafted to balance playability and musical authenticity, making it ideal for beginner and intermediate bass players who want to perform this hit in a live, rehearsal, or educational context. It includes:
TABLATURE and standard notation for 4-string bass
Easy-to-follow rhythms and simplified fingerings
Notated sections that match the original song form
All passages transcribed in the original key of B major / G# minor, preserving the integrity of the harmonic structure
Whether you're a student learning how to accompany ballads on bass, a teacher looking for recognizable and emotionally engaging material, or a Bruno Mars fan who wants to dive deeper into his music, this arrangement is designed to deliver a clean, melodic, and expressive bass performance that complements the vocal and piano beautifully.
This arrangement is perfect for:
Music lessons and classroom instruction
Individual practice and skill development
Pop ballad performance in duos, trios, or full bands
Learning melodic bass phrasing in modern pop and R&B styles
Fans of Bruno Mars, soulful pop ballads, and emotionally rich music
Feel the emotion of every note while anchoring the harmonic progressions with a tasteful and supportive bass part that brings warmth and depth to this iconic ballad. A must-have addition for any bassist building a repertoire of modern pop classics.
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This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.