Learning to play the guitar can be an exciting and rewarding journey. One of the essential skills for any guitarist is the ability to read guitar tabs. Guitar tablature (or tabs) is a simple and intuitive method of notating guitar music, allowing even beginners to start playing their favorite songs quickly. This guide will walk you through the basics of reading guitar tabs, so you can get strumming in no time.
What Are Guitar Tabs?
Guitar tabs are a form of musical notation that represents the strings and frets of the guitar. Unlike traditional sheet music, which uses musical staff notation, tabs use a diagram of the guitar’s neck to show where to place your fingers.
The Basics of Guitar Tabs
A guitar tab consists of six horizontal lines, each representing one of the guitar’s strings. The lines are arranged from top to bottom in the order of the strings, with the high E string (the thinnest) at the top and the low E string (the thickest) at the bottom. Here’s what a blank guitar tab looks like:
Reading Frets
Numbers are placed on the lines to indicate which fret to press on which string. For example:
This represents an A minor chord. The numbers tell you to play the following:
High E string (1st string) open (0)
B string (2nd string) on the 1st fret
G string (3rd string) on the 2nd fret
D string (4th string) on the 2nd fret
A string (5th string) open (0)
Low E string (6th string) not played (no number)
I’ve created a brief video to further explain below:
Understanding Timing
Unlike traditional music notation, most tabs do not indicate the rhythm or timing of the notes. It’s often helpful to listen to the song you’re learning to understand the timing and rhythm. However, some tabs include rhythmic notation above the tab lines or additional symbols to indicate the length of notes.
Common Symbols in Tabs
Tabs often use various symbols to represent different techniques and expressions. Here are some of the most common ones:
h: Hammer-on
Example: `7h9` means hammer-on from the 7th to the 9th fret.
p: Pulloff
Example: `9p7` means pulloff from the 9th to the 7th fret.
b: Bend
Example: `7b9` means bend the note at the 7th fret up to the pitch of the 9th fret.
r: Release bend
Example: `9r7` means release the bend back to the 7th fret.
/ or \: Slide
Example: `7/9` means slide up from the 7th to the 9th fret, and `9\7` means slide down from the 9th to the 7th fret.
~: Vibrato
Example: `7~` means apply vibrato to the note on the 7th fret.
x: Muted note
Example: `x` means play a muted or dead note, often achieved by lightly resting a finger on the string.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with reading tabs is to practice regularly. Start with simple songs and gradually move on to more complex pieces. Websites like Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr offer a vast library of tabs for songs across all genres and skill levels.
Final Tips
Listen to the song: Since tabs often lack rhythmic notation, listening to the song you’re learning can help you understand the timing and feel.
Start slow: Begin playing slowly to ensure accuracy and gradually increase your speed as you become more comfortable.
Use a metronome: This can help you keep a steady tempo as you practice.
Be patient: Like any new skill, reading tabs takes time and practice. Stick with it, and you’ll see improvement.
Reading guitar tabs is an accessible and efficient way to start playing your favorite songs. With practice and dedication, you’ll be able to interpret and play a wide range of music. Happy strumming!