How to Read Tabs on a Guitar

Do you love the rhythm and music created by a guitar? Would you like to create the magic yourself? Well, if you really want to play guitar, you need to learn proper techniques and chords associated with it. But more importantly, you need to know how to read tabs on guitar or guitar tablature, which is a bit tricky. But once you learn the skill, you will enjoy playing different songs of your choice. Guitar tablature is just like a language which guitarists use to communicate with other guitarists about how to play different songs.

So, all those music lovers who want to play their favorite songs on their guitar, here are the steps that will make your task easier and hence more enjoyable. The steps mentioned below will help you to understand as to how to read guitar tabs.

Steps

1. The first thing you need to do is to notice the difference between the guitar tab and the traditional sheet music. Guitar tab always has six lines and each line has a corresponding guitar string.

2. Identify which line on the tab goes with which guitar string. Each string is marked with a letter like the bottom string line on the tab is the low-E string. Similarly as you move upward, there are other lines corresponding to the strings A, D, G, B, and high-E strings. While you read the tabs on guitar, go from left to right.

3. Carefully read the numbers on each line. They basically signify which note (also called fret).

4. is played on which string. For instance, if a 4 is written on the bottom line, play the note by placing your finger on the fourth fret of the low E string (which is the A note). Usually a traditional guitar has 24 frets.

5. You can play a chord when there is a number on more than one line at the same time on the tab. In case you have several numbers together on top of each other, then that is a chord which you strum. However, when the numbers are spread out, then you have to play the notes singly.

6. Soften a string when an X appears on its line.
7. It is always better to learn to read the rhythm last. This is because there is no defined rhythm notation in tab. In most of the cases the tab editors group the numbers together or far apart as per the requirement, the more close

the numbers are, and the faster will be the rhythm.

Tips

1. Reading guitar tab is a method that takes time to learn. It is always advisable to have a recording of the song you wish to play because it helps you to learn rhythms and chords easily.
2. Do not forget to read from left to right. Often people commit this mistake and then find that the songs don’t sound as it should, when played.
3. Don’t be disheartened if you are slow at first, tablature reading requires lot of practice.

Watch a video instruction on how to read tabs on guitar

See also

How to Play Guitar Tab

How to Read Bass Tab

How to Play Blues on Guitar

How to Read Piano Tabs