The most reliable places to find "Where Is My Mind" tabs

Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr are the two sites where you will find the most accurate tabs for the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind." Ultimate Guitar hosts user-submitted tabs in plain text and also links to interactive tab players. Songsterr shows tabs in a scrolling notation view that syncs to the song, which helps you see where you are in the progression. Both sites are free to use without registration, though Ultimate Guitar offers a paid tier that removes ads.

If you want tabs that show rhythm and timing more clearly, Chordify generates tabs automatically by analyzing the YouTube video of the song. The tabs are not always perfect, but they update in real time as the video plays, so you can follow along without switching windows. Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com also has a mobile app that lets you read tabs for offline use, which is useful if you are learning away from a computer.

For a second opinion, Chordify and JustinGuitar sometimes have lesson videos that break down the song section by section. These are not tabs in the traditional sense, but they show you exactly where your fingers go and in what order, which can be faster than reading notation if you are a visual learner.

Key Takeaways

  • Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr host the most complete and user-verified tabs for this song, and both are free to access without signing up.
  • Songsterr's interactive player syncs the tabs to the actual song, so you can hear the part you are learning while you read the notation.
  • Chordify generates tabs from the YouTube video in real time, which helps you stay oriented if you are learning by ear alongside the recording.
  • The song uses a repeating riff in standard tuning, so most tabs you find will be in the same key and do not require alternate tunings.

What the tabs show you about the main riff

The opening riff of "Where Is My Mind" is played on the lower strings and repeats throughout most of the song. The tabs will show you that it sits mostly on the 1st and 2nd frets of the low E and A strings, with a few notes higher up the neck. This is a beginner-to-intermediate riff—it does not require a lot of hand movement, but you do need to keep a steady rhythm and mute the strings cleanly between notes.

When you look at the tabs, you will see numbers on horizontal lines. Each line represents a string (the top line is the high E string, the bottom is the low E string), and the numbers tell you which fret to press. The riff repeats in a four-bar pattern, so once you learn the first four bars, you have learned the foundation of the entire song. Most tabs mark this clearly with a repeat symbol or a note that says "repeat 4x" or similar.

How to choose between different versions of the same tabs

On Ultimate Guitar, you will often see multiple versions of the same song submitted by different users. The ones with the highest rating (shown as stars) are usually the most accurate, but that does not always mean they are the best for your skill level. Read the comments below each tab—other players often note whether the tab is simplified, whether it includes the lead guitar or just the rhythm part, and whether it matches the original recording or a cover version.

If you see a tab labeled "intro only" or "rhythm guitar," it means it covers just one part of the song, not the whole thing. If you want to learn the entire song from start to finish, look for one that says "full song" or "complete." Some tabs also note whether they are in standard tuning or if the guitar is tuned down—"Where Is My Mind" is in standard tuning, so you should not need to retune unless the tab specifically says otherwise.

Reading tab notation and symbols

Guitar tabs use a straightforward system: six horizontal lines represent the six strings, and numbers on those lines show you which fret to play. A "0" means play the open string without pressing any fret. Numbers like "1," "2," "3," and higher tell you which fret to press. A dash (—) means the string is not played on that beat. When you see a number directly above another number on a different string, play both at the same time (that is a chord or interval).

Other symbols you might see include a "/" for a slide (press one fret, then slide your finger up or down to another fret without lifting off the string), an "h" for a hammer-on (press a fret, then press a higher fret without picking again), and a "b" for a bend (press a fret and push the string sideways to raise the pitch). For "Where Is My Mind," the main riff does not use many of these techniques, so you can focus on clean picking and steady rhythm first.

Why different tabs might show different notes

The Pixies recorded "Where Is My Mind" in 1987, and the original studio version has two guitar parts—a rhythm guitar and a lead guitar. Some tabs show only the rhythm part, which is what most people learn first. Others show the lead part, which has more movement and fills. A few tabs try to combine both, which can look crowded and confusing. When you read a tab, check the comments or the description to see which part it covers.

You might also find tabs based on live versions of the song, which sometimes differ from the studio recording. If a tab does not match what you hear when you play along with the original song, try a different version. The highest-rated tabs on Ultimate Guitar are usually based on the studio version, so start there if you are unsure.

Using Songsterr to learn with the song playing

Songsterr is different from a text-based tab site because it shows the tabs in a scrolling musical staff and plays the song at the same time. When you open a song on Songsterr, you can press play and watch the notation scroll past while you hear the music. This makes it much easier to stay in time and understand where you are in the song. You can also slow down the playback speed without changing the pitch, which is useful if you want to learn a fast riff at half speed.

Songsterr also lets you mute individual instruments, so you can hear just the guitar part without the drums and bass. This helps you focus on learning your part without distraction. The site is free, though you can pay for a subscription to remove ads and unlock some extra features. For most learners, the free version is enough to get through the song.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to tune my guitar differently to play this song?

No. "Where Is My Mind" is in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string), which is the default tuning for most guitars. You do not need to change anything before you start learning the tabs.

What if the tabs I find do not sound right when I play along?

Try a different version of the tabs on Ultimate Guitar—look for one with more user ratings and positive comments. Also check that you are playing the correct part (rhythm vs. lead) and that your guitar is in tune. If you are still stuck, watch a lesson video on YouTube to see where your fingers should go.

Can I learn this song if I am a beginner?

Yes. The main riff is beginner-friendly because it does not jump around the neck much and does not use complicated techniques. The challenge is keeping a steady rhythm and muting the strings cleanly. Start slowly, use a metronome, and focus on accuracy before speed.

Are there tabs for the bass or drums, or just guitar?

Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr both have tabs for bass and drums if you want to learn those parts. Search for the song title and filter by instrument. Songsterr is especially good for this because you can see all the parts together and hear how they fit.

What is the difference between a tab and a chord chart?

A tab shows you exactly which fret to play on which string. A chord chart shows you finger positions for chords but not the order or timing. For "Where Is My Mind," you want tabs, not a chord chart, because the song is built on a riff rather than strummed chords.