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Guitar Tablature or Tab is a notation used to write down
music, so you can play it without any or very minimal
knowledge of notes and sheet music.
Basically, Tablature is sheet music made simple.
Let's now start learning about how the Tab looks and how to
read it.
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E----thinnest----1st string--------
B--------------2nd string------------
G-----------3rd string---------------
D--------4th string------------------
A-----5th string----------------------
E--6th string-----------thickest---
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First you have to know which line represents which string and
which note. The letters you see in from of each line are
notes representing notes of the strings played open.
Meaning, if you play for example first string without
pressing it anywhere it will sound as E note
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E----1--------------------------------
B-------5-----------------------------
G-----------0-------------------------
D---------------3---------------------
A-------------------2-----------------
E------------------------1------------
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Here is an example of a tab as you will see it on this site
or anywhere on the internet. Numbers on each line mean that
you play this or that string on a certain fret. Numbers are
frets of course. So when you see B---5----
that means you press 2nd string B on the 5th fret. Fret is
the space between metal lines place on the neck of the
guitar. So what you see on the left is played like:
1st string on 1st fret, 2nd string on 5th fret, 3rd string
open, 4th string on 3rd fret, 4th string on 2nd fret and 6th
string, 1st fret
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Tab notation doesn't contain any information on which finger
to use to play this or that note on the fret, so you have to
look a little beyond just 1-2 notes in the tab to know where
it will go and with what finger you should start. So figure
it out yourself. You can't figure out the rhythm and
speed of the song using the notation, so you should listen
to the song before starting to play it using tab. There are
some tabs that have indications of speed, but the best way
is to get a midi or any other file and to listen to the song
yourself.
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E----0--------0----------3-----------
B----1--------1----------0-----------
G----2--------0----------0-----------
D----2--------2----------0-----------
A----0--------3----------2-----------
E----0--------x----------3-----------
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This is just some of the symbols used in tab notation. A lot
of tablature writers use their own symbols or different
meaning for the usual symbols. Usually there are notes and
tab explanation posted in each tab if the symbols are too
complicated and hard to figure out. What you see on the left is the most common symbols and
their meanings.So read into it, then grab your guitar. And start rocking.
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For notes positions on each string and
fret look here
Guitar
Notes Position |
