How to read "tabulature" for guitar.

In this guide you will learn just what a tabulature/tab is and how it will help you learn how to play guitar.​

What are tabs?
Tabs are a musical notation which show where to place your fingers on the neck of the guitar, enabling you to play the right notes for a song.

What does tabulature look like?


Basic knowledge of the guitar needed to read tabs:
There are 6 string on a guitar (e,b,g,d,a,e) which coordinated with the tabs like this.
E|--------------------------------- (first string, bottom of guitar)
B|--------------------------------- (second string)
G|--------------------------------- (third string)
D|-------------------------------- (fourth string)
A|-------------------------------- (fifth string)
E|--------------------------------- (sixth string, top of the guitar)

There will be numbers on the tabs (as shown in first picture) these numbers represent which fret to place your finger on. Frets are notches that run the length of the guitar, an average guitar has 21-23 frets.



The basics of reading tabs:

E|-2-------------------------------
B|---------------------------------
G|---------------------------------
D|---------------------------------
A|---------------------------------
E|---------------------------------

When reading a tab you first look at the string in which the first number is located, as you can see in the picture above it is located on the first string. The next thing you look at is the number; in this case the number is 2 (which means the second fret). So we now know we need to place our finger on the first string on the second fret.

You use this process to figure out how to play the song by learning which notes to hit it what order.

Chords and multiple string usage:
E|-3-------------------------------
B|-3-------------------------------
G|---------------------------------
D|---------------------------------
A|-2-------------------------------
E|-3-------------------------------

For this example we used the chord "g". Reading chords and playing notes that involve more then one finger is very similar. In the example you place a finger on the first string third fret, the second string third fret, you leave the forth and fifth string untouched, a finger on the fifth string second fret and finally the sixth string third fret and strum.

Another example:
E|---------------------------------
B|---------------------------------
G|---------------------------------
D|---------------------------------
A|-33--55--------------------------
E|-11--33--------------------------

In the example you would place a finger on the fifth string third fret and the sixth string first fret. You would then strum twice leave a pause and play the next set of notes.

Determining timing in tabulature:
When using tabs the need for a break (a slight pause) between notes is determined by a break between the notes "--". In order to find the exact timing though you will have to listen to the song as a reference as there is no way to tell for sure. (unless the tab specifically states this above it).

*NOTE* this was written off the top of my head so if there is anything that does not quite make sense please post and i will try my best to fix it. Also this guide as is only includes the basics of tabs, i will edit in some more information on them later.

Any criticisms/suggestions are appreciated.

 

How bout?

p = pull off
h = hammer on
\ = slide (downward)
b = string bend
/ = slide (upward)
~ = string vibrato

 

Yes i plan on including that soon, but it requires a bit more detail then just the name as most people don't know what a pull off is.

 

No joke, I thought "hammer on" and "pull off" were unique to guitar hero. I certainly learned something today. This seems like it would help guitar players, I don't play guitar so I can't comment much more. Also, fix your spelling on "coordinate". The fact that you used a ";" correctly means you're not stupid and that's really the only thing I'd suggest fixing

 

Haha if i didn't play guitar i would have most likely thought the same. Thanks for finding that error, ill fix it right now

 

Hey. I've learned a lot from this guide. I'm buying a guitar soon and this helped me what all these numbers and stuff mean on the tabulature. Good use of colours, try centering all the text and pics. Also mess around with different font sizes and fonts.
"You would then strum twice leave a pause and play the next set of notes."
I think I know what a strum is, it's when you just play a string while not holding anything down, but people who are very new to the guitar would have no clue what this is, explain what a strum is.

I think this guide is lacking pictures to be honest. I know you've created your explainations with your own with text, and thats good, because you can explain it better without looking for pictures. However it might need a few more to make it more interesting and appealing. No spelling mistakes I've seen so thats good. Overall it;s an good guide and is helpful, thanks for making it.

 

I'm glad it has helped you, tabulature is actually very simple once you take the time to learn it which doesn't take long either. The only hard part is remembering the different symbols and which action goes along with them. Also thanks for the advice i will use that.

Hmm, i see what you mean i'm just not sure exactly how and where i will add the pictures in and what pictures to use, but i will do my best to add them in. Thanks for the feedback!