How to Read Guitar Tablature

Music written for the guitar is called a tablature. Guitar players know how to play a song by reading its guitar tablature. The guitar tablature is written in a style that is different than the familiar notes on a lined staff. The tablature shows a guitar player which strings and frets to use in order to play the song. Read on to learn how to read guitar tablature.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Learn the arrangement of the strings on the neck. The arrangement of strings is E, B, G, D, A, E. The thickest string on the guitar is the low E string and the thinnest string is the high E.

2. Note that the tablature is written as six horizontal lines, each representing a string. The number written on the line signifies the fret on the guitar where the fingers are placed or plucked.

3. Memorize the other tablature notations such as h for hammer, p for pull, / for slide up and \ for slide down. Vibrato, tapping and muting a string are also noted in the tablature.

4. Understand number placement on a tab. A tab with all the numbers placed horizontally above one another signifies playing the string simultaneously. Tablatures often include the cord name for the specific finger configuration. If the notes are staggered along the tablature they are played one at a time.

5. Discover the rhythm of specific songs separate from the tablature. Most tablatures lack notation for rhythm and leave that to the individual guitarist to discover. Listen to the specific song several times to get a feel for it, and then read the tablature and start to play along.

Resources

• Guitar Zone for More Tips