How to Read Guitar Music

by Daniel Ray

Overview

Music for guitars is normally written in a graphic notation system known as tablature, or "tab" for short. Even though tabs may have some shortcomings, they are easy to learn and understand and will quickly help a guitarist figure out how to play a new song. At some point in a guitarist's career, he may need to learn how to read conventional music. But until then, tabs will provide a simple way of learning and sharing songs with your fellow guitarists. Follow the instructions below to begin understanding tabs.

Fender guitar

Step 1

Look at the tab as if you were looking at the strings of your guitar. The tab consists of 6 horizontal lines, with the thin, or "e" string, on the top and the large, or "E" string, on the bottom.

Step 1 Illustration
Step 2

Notice that there are numbers in the middle of some of the strings. These numbers refer to the fret on that particular string that needs to be played. A "0" will mean to play that string "open," or with no finger on that string.

Step 2 Illustration
Step 3

Play numbers that are arranged vertically at the same time. Vertical numbers represent individual chords, and some tabs will also have the chord name written above the chord.

Step 3 Illiustration
Step 4

Refer to the following items for individual playing techniques that tabs represent. A "p" indicates a pull off and an "h" is a hammer on. An "x" means to mute the string and a "b" means to bend the string.
Step 5

Familiarize yourself with the tabbed song before attempting to play from the tab. Tabs do not include any rhythm or tempo information, which can make learning a new song difficult if you do not already know the tune.

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Guitar tab
Guitar tab
Start your tab lesson with a simple song. Many tabs will have an index that will describe all of the notated symbols.
Start your tab lesson with a simple song.
Many tabs will have an index that will describe all of the notated symbols.