If you’ve ever picked up an acoustic guitar, odds are you’ve tried to play that opening theme. You know the one. It starts with that haunting, hollowed-out de-tuned note. It sounds like dust. It sounds like grief. When people search for the last of us tab, they aren't just looking for a sequence of numbers on a fretboard; they’re trying to capture a specific kind of loneliness that Naughty Dog managed to bottle up back in 2013.
It’s weirdly difficult to get right. Honestly, most of the versions you find on Ultimate Guitar or Songsterr are just "okay." They get the notes, sure. But they miss the soul.
Gustavo Santaolalla, the composer behind the game, didn't use a standard setup. He’s famous for using Ronrocos—those small Andean stringed instruments—and guitars that sound like they’ve been sitting in a basement for twenty years. If your guitar sounds too clean, you’re already doing it wrong. The music of The Last of Us is supposed to feel tactile, dirty, and deeply human. It’s the sound of Joel’s calloused hands and Ellie’s quiet moments of wonder.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Main Theme
The biggest mistake? Tuning.
Most beginners try to play the main theme in Standard E tuning because that’s what the first result for a the last of us tab usually suggests. It’s a trap. While you can technically play a simplified version in Standard, the actual recording utilizes a unique resonance you can only get by dropping your tuning. To get that authentic, heavy vibration on the low strings, you really need to be looking at the 6/8 time signature and how the open strings interact.
Santaolalla often plays with a "let ring" philosophy. In the world of The Last of Us, silence is just as loud as the notes. If you’re rushing through the tab, you’re killing the atmosphere. You have to let the dissonant notes bleed into each other. That’s the secret. It’s supposed to be messy. Life in a cordyceps apocalypse isn't polished, so why should the music be?
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The Ronroco Factor
A lot of the textures people hear aren't actually a guitar. They're a Ronroco. It’s a ten-stringed instrument from the charango family. If you're trying to replicate "All Gone (No Escape)" on a six-string acoustic, you’re basically trying to translate a poem into a different language. You can do it, but you have to adapt your fingerstyle technique to mimic that double-string shimmer.
- Use a very light touch on your picking hand.
- Focus on the higher register.
- Don't be afraid of the "click" of your fingernails on the strings.
Finding the Best The Last of Us Tab for Every Skill Level
Not all tabs are created equal. Some focus on the HBO show's slightly updated arrangements, while others stick to the 2013 original soundtrack. If you're looking for the most accurate version of the "Main Theme," you should look for transcriptions that specifically mention the use of a capo or dropped tunings.
- For Beginners: Look for "The Choice." It’s a simpler melody, mostly single notes, and it captures that melancholic vibe without requiring insane finger stretches. It’s basically the "Smoke on the Water" of post-apocalyptic gaming music.
- For Intermediate Players: "Left Behind" (from the DLC) is a masterclass in fingerstyle. It requires a steady thumb for the bassline while your fingers dance around the melody. It's tricky but incredibly rewarding once the rhythm clicks.
- For the Pros: "Beyond Desolation" from Part II. The micro-tonal bends and the sheer emotional weight required to make those notes "cry" is a huge challenge. It’s less about the tab and more about the expression.
There is a guy on YouTube, Isac Saleh, who has arguably the most accurate the last of us tab library on the internet. He doesn't just write the numbers down; he explains the "why" behind the fingerings. If you want to sound like the game, find his work. Most "pro" tabs on the big sites are generated by software that doesn't understand the nuance of Santaolalla’s phrasing. They’re too mechanical.
Why the Music Works (And Why We Keep Playing It)
Music is the heartbeat of this franchise. Neil Druckmann has mentioned in multiple interviews that Gustavo was the first person they hired for the game—before the story was even fully finished. The music informed the world-building.
When you play the last of us tab, you're engaging with a piece of storytelling. Consider the track "Home." It’s hopeful, but it’s tinged with a sharp sadness. Technically, it uses a lot of major chords, but the way they're voiced makes them feel fragile. Like they could break at any second. That's the duality of the game: the beauty of nature reclaiming the world versus the horror of what was lost.
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The Gear Matters (Sorta)
You don't need a $3,000 Martin to play this. In fact, a cheap, beat-up Yamaha might actually sound better for this specific vibe. Use silk and steel strings if you can find them; they have a lower tension and a "woody" tone that fits the aesthetic perfectly. Avoid phosphor bronze if you want to dodge that bright, "pop music" shimmer. You want the sound of old wood.
The Joel and Ellie Connection: "Future Days"
We have to talk about the Pearl Jam cover. In The Last of Us Part II, Joel plays "Future Days" for Ellie. This created a massive surge in people looking for the last of us tab variations for this specific song.
Interestingly, the version Joel plays is slightly simplified from the original Pearl Jam recording. It’s more intimate. If you’re learning this, remember that Joel is a self-taught player in a world without new guitar strings. His playing is sturdy but unrefined. When you're practicing that C to F transition, don't worry if there's a little fret buzz. It adds character. It makes it feel like it’s happening in a dusty house in Jackson, Wyoming.
- Tune to Standard E.
- Capo on the 1st fret (though many tabs say 2nd, the game version is a bit flat).
- Focus on the hammer-ons during the C chord. That’s the signature "Joel" sound.
Actionable Steps to Master the Soundtrack
If you're ready to stop just looking at the the last of us tab and actually start playing it, here is how you should approach your practice sessions.
First, get your tuning right. For the main theme, you often need to drop that low E string. If the tab you're looking at says "Standard Tuning," double-check it against a video of Gustavo playing live. He rarely stays in one place.
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Second, work on your dynamics. The "Last of Us" sound is 10% notes and 90% how hard or soft you hit them. Practice playing the same melody as quietly as possible, then slowly build it up. This "crescendo of grief" is what makes the soundtrack so evocative.
Third, record yourself. Listen back. Does it sound like a video game menu, or does it sound like a person telling a story? If it sounds too perfect, you’re missing the point. Santaolalla famously used "wrong" instruments and old strings to get the right feel.
Lastly, look beyond the main theme. "Vanishing Grace" and "All Gone" offer incredible insights into how to use space in your guitar playing. They teach you that the note you don't play is often the most important one.
Stop worrying about the speed. This isn't DragonForce. It’s a slow burn. Take your time with the the last of us tab, breathe through the chord changes, and let the resonance do the heavy lifting for you. That is the only way to do justice to one of the greatest scores in gaming history.