What Is a Tab?

If you are learning the guitar, then you can also expect more than one option for learning to read music. One of the options that is used frequently for aspiring guitar and bass players is the tab. This type of music sheet allows you to move more easily on the guitar, while following the music that is being played with the right chords.

Function

Guitar and bass tab is a simplified way for guitarists and bassists to play different chords, as well as solos on the guitar or bass. It is also used to define the several chords that are on the guitar. Since there are several ways to play one chord, with different shapes, voicings (meaning top and bottom strings) and places on the guitar, it becomes easier to write out the specifics on tab instead of on a guitar chart or as a piece of regular sheet music.

Identification

When you look for tab, you can identify it easily by the side of the paper. Typically, every line will have a T-A-B on the side to let you know that this is for the guitar. The next part of the tab paper will be the six lines that move across the sheet. These are referred to as the guitar strings that line up with the guitar. With this, you can identify each string in relation to the line. For example, the top line will also be the low E on the guitar. This will move up string by string, allowing you to follow. The open notes will line up as follows:
low E ____________________________________________
A_______________________________________________
D_______________________________________________
G_______________________________________________
B_______________________________________________
high E____________________________________________
On these lines, there will be the placement of the different frets that will be played. The 0 will signify the open string, 1 is the first fret, 2 is the second fret and so on.
For a chord, the chords will look like this: (example of A chord)
low E ___0_________________________________________
A______ 0________________________________________
D______2_________________________________________
G______2_________________________________________
B______2_________________________________________
high E__0__________________________________________
As you can see, the 0 will be the open strings. The 2 means that you should play these strings on the second fret. This completes the chord. You can do the same thing with single notes, meaning that you can use one string to play a melody. Take this, for example:
low E ____________________________________________
A______ ________________________________________
D_______________________________________________
G_______________________________________________
B_______________________________________________
high E__0 0 1 3___________________________________
Each time the number moves to the next fret, you can expect to play another note, separately from the last. This creates a complete melody, one note at a time. This also lets you know when to play the next note through rhythms.

Features

The advantage of reading tab by doing this is that you have more options with the frets that you are able to use. For instance, if you don't want to play an A chord with the second fret, than tab can be used to play the A chord in another position that is higher on the guitar, such as the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th frets and so on. This gives you more choices with the position of chord that is being played.
The difference between this and other types of chord positions for guitars is in relation to the ability to use different frets. For example, if you just have the guitar chords on regular paper, than you will follow fingerings instead of the frets. This limits what you are able to do, as well as the frets that you will know to play on.
With the tab paper that you have, it is best to combine the frets with rhythms. Typically, there will be a rhythm chart that is used in relation to this. Sometimes this is seen through a treble clef line or through another part. This allows you to get the right movement from the chords or melody while playing the guitar.

Misconceptions

Often musicians will think that reading tab is the same as reading regular staff paper. There are major differences between the two. Tab paper is used for guitar (and sometimes bass) to read according to frets and strings on the guitar or bass. Staff paper can be used for guitar and bass, but will also be used for other instruments. Staff paper will only have five lines, and the notes that are placed on the staff are used with a general reference. This means that, no matter what instrument, the note will always be on the same line or space. There isn't the ability to change where the notes are according to the frets with the staff paper. The idea with these two types of reading for music is to learn to read both of them. It will help in building a better understanding of how the music is moving, not only on the guitar, but also with music in general.

Expert Insight

If you want to use tab paper, make sure that you don't do it as an isolated way to read. It is better to learn tab and to learn how to read staff in conjunction with this. Combining this with learning chord charts can help you to be well rounded in playing the guitar or the bass. Because of different music charts that you may be working with, it is always best to be able to cross over between reading different types of music notation.