How to Read Guitar Tablature (Guitar Sheet Music)

Tabs are a quick and easy method to read guitarUnderstanding which fingers to use to hold each
music. Unlike regular sheet music (used for pianonote will come with experience, time and
example), guitar tabs are very easy to follow anddiscovering how you feel most comfortable
work by telling you where to place your fingersplaying.
on the neck of the guitar.Simultaneous Notes in Guitar
Tabs can be found all over the Internet for freeTablaturee|--------0--0-----------|
by searching on Google. A great site is which isB|--7--5--7--5-----------|
completely free and has thousands of tabs.G|--7--7--7--7-----------|
Once you understand the basics of reading guitarD|-----------------------|
tablature, you will be able to play your favouriteA|-----------------------|
songs in no time at all.E|-----------------------|
Tabs are shown are shown likeWhen notes appear above each other it means
below:e|--0--0--0--------------|they are played at the same time. The example
B|--7--5--7--8--7--5--5--|above is the same piece as we just played
G|--7--7--7--------------|however a few extra notes have been added.
D|-----------------------|Let's break down this piece into four sections.
A|-----------------------|1.e|-----|
E|-----------------------|B|--7--| Use your little finger to hold down the B
Individual Notes in Guitarstring at the 7th fret.
Tablaturee|-----------------------|G|--7--| Use your ring finger to hold down the G
B|--7--5--7--5-----------|string at the 7th fret.
G|-----------------------|D|-----| Play both notes simultaneously.
D|-----------------------|A|-----| Play only the B and G strings.
A|-----------------------|E|-----|
E|-----------------------|2.e|-----|
To understand how to read tabs, first take yourB|--5--| Use your index finger to hold down the 5th
guitar and lay it FLAT on your lap, so you arefret on the B string.
looking down upon it. So, the thinnest string, theG|--7--| Leave your ring finger where it is.
"e" (aka 1st string) is furthest away from yourD|-----| Play both notes simultaneously.
body, with the thickest "E" (aka 6th string) closestA|-----| Play only the B and G strings.
to your body.E|-----|
This view is matched on the tablature. The 63.e|--0--| An "0" indicates that the string is played
dotted horizontal lines are the strings of youropen, which means the string is simply played
guitar. The thickest "E" string, shown at theB|--5--| without holding down any fret. Use your
bottom is closest to your body. And the thin "e"little finger to hold down the B string at the 7th
is furthest away.fret.
The numbers on the tablature indicate the fretsG|--7--| Use your ring finger to hold down the G
on your guitar. Tabs are read from left to right,string at the 7th fret.
like reading a book. In this example all notes areD|-----| Play all notes simultaneously.
played one at a time after eachA|-----| Play only the B, G and thin e string.
other.e|-----------------------|E|-----|
B|--7--5--7--5-----------|4.e|--0--| Play the e string open
G|-----------------------|B|--5--| Use your index finger to hold down the 5th
D|-----------------------|fret on the B string.
A|-----------------------|G|--7--| Leave your ring finger where it is.
E|-----------------------|D|-----| Play both notes simultaneously.
So, the first note we get to is on the B stringA|-----| Play only the B and G strings.
and we are told to place our finger at the 7thE|-----|
fret. Once your finger is pressed down on the BAt first it can be a little tricky to hit only one or
string at the 7th fret (on the actual wooden neck,two strings at once however over time you will
in-between to the two metal inlays), pluck onlyfind it can be done without even thinking.
the B string.Chords
Next place your finger at the 5th fret on the BE De|----0--------2--------|
string and pick this note. Now place your fingerB|----0--------3--------|
back at the 7th fret on the B string and pick theG|----1--------2--------|
note. The final note is the 5th fret, also on the BD|----2--------0--------|
string.A|----2-----------------|
Over time you will begin to learn which fingers toE|----0-----------------|
use to make your playing as easy and as fluentThe tab above shows the E and D chords and
as possible. For example, you may use your indexindicates where on the fret board you need to
finger for the first note at the 7th fret on stringplace your fingers. As you can see, the E chord
B and simple move it down to the 5th fret forrequires you to use 3 fingers to play the chord
the second note. However a better way to playalong with 3 open strings, for this chord you pluck
the piece would be to use 2 fingers. Use your ringall strings in one big motion at the same time. The
finger for the notes on the 7th fret and yoursame is said for the D chord, however in this
index finger for notes at the 5th.instance you only need to play 4 strings.