Wipe Out Sheet Music Preview

Wipe Out: Authentic Guitar TAB

Item: 00-PSG-000059

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Description
Alfred's Guitar Big Book series presents the best songs of each decade and each genre in complete note-for-note guitar tab transcriptions. Most books in the series are well over 250 pages and contain 30 to 40 or more songs each. With over 20 books in the series, the Big Books are a great way to build a complete reference library of all your favorite songs.

Thirty-five classic '50s songs from Bill Haley and the Comets, Eddie Cochran, The Crests, Dick Dale, Skeeter Davis, Bobby Day, Dion and the Belmonts, Fats Domino, Duane Eddy, The Everly Brothers, The Flamingos, The Fleetwoods, Frankie Ford, Bobby Helms, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Ricky Nelson, The Penguins, Del Shannon, The Surfaris, and The Tornadoes.

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Additional Details
Series: Guitar Big Book Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-PSG-000059

More about this title

About the Artist: The Surfaris

The Surfaris emerged from Glendora, California, in the early 1960s as one of the defining bands of the surf rock era. Their 1963 hit "Wipe Out" became an instrumental anthem that defined a generation, showcasing the raw energy and guitar-driven sound that made surf rock accessible beyond the beach community. The band's infectious rhythms and memorable melodies influenced countless garage rock and pop acts that followed.

Their music remains a staple of guitar instruction and repertoire because it demonstrates fundamental rock playing techniques—driving rhythms, call-and-response phrasing, and the kind of straightforward melodic hooks that stick with players. For educators, The Surfaris represent an era when instrumental rock was a dominant commercial force, making their catalog essential listening for guitarists exploring the roots of modern rock.

Why we love this

"Wipe Out" is an absolute essential for electric guitar students because it teaches rhythmic precision, dynamic control, and the confidence that comes from nailing an iconic riff. The energy level is infectious, the tab transcription cuts through the guesswork, and students get instant gratification from playing something they actually recognize and want to hear themselves perform.

What to expect

Pure, unbridled energy. The drums crack with urgency, the bass locks into a groove that feels inevitable, and that guitar riff drives forward with the kind of mechanical precision and infectious swagger that made surf rock a commercial force. It's music designed to move bodies and demand repetition.

Who it's for

Electric guitarists at the beginner-to-intermediate level will find this transcription immediately playable and deeply rewarding. This collection works equally well for band directors building rock repertoire for guitar ensemble or electric guitar classes, and for private instructors looking for iconic material that motivates students to practice.

How to get the most out of it

  • Lock in the kick drum pattern with your kick pedal or bass player; the relentless pulse underneath "Wipe Out" is what makes the riff land.
  • Attack the opening riff with consistent dynamics across each note so the melody sits clearly in the mix rather than getting buried.
  • Nail the pick articulation on the signature riff by keeping your pick strokes tight and controlled; this isn't about speed, it's about clarity.
  • Use the recorded track as a reference for tempo and feel; the groove sits slightly behind the beat in a way that's easy to rush if you're not listening carefully.

How to use it

Program "Wipe Out" alongside other instrumental rock classics when you're teaching the evolution of rock guitar or building a rock ensemble unit. It works equally well as a standalone recital piece that showcases a student's rhythmic precision or as part of a larger arrangement with rhythm section and drums to show how electric guitar fits into a full band context.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading guitar tab fluently across chord changes and riff patterns
  • Maintaining tight rhythmic precision and swing feel over a driving pulse
  • Balancing pick dynamics to keep a melodic riff clear and articulate
  • Syncing guitar phrasing with bass and drums for band cohesion
  • Applying consistent tone and attack across repeated figures

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