How to Read Basic Guitar Tablature

If you are new to guitar or just never learned how to read guitar tablature you are in for a treat. It's SO easy! After I show you some easy examples of guitar tablature and clearly explain how to read it then you can go search for some guitar tabs of your own!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Okay here is what a guitar tab might look like:
   
   -0-----------
   -1-----------
   -2-----------
   -2-------5-7-
   -0---5-7-----
   -------------
   
   Okay, lets take it slow. this is how a tab is related to your guitar.
   
   1st string (highest/thinnest) -
   2nd string -
   3rd string -
   4th string -
   5th string -
   6th string (lowest/thickest) -

2. NOW, the numbers in the tabs represent the FRET that you will be playing. (take note that tablature does not normally indicate a specific RHYTHM so you must do your best to make a tab sound like the song, also tabs do not indicate normally which FINGERS to use for which notes, but you will eventually get the hang of it)
   
   Anyways back to the original tab:
   
   -0-----------
   -1-----------
   -2-----------
   -2-------5-7-
   -0---5-7-----
   -------------
   
   As you can see there is a difference in the first part of this tab compared to the second part. the numbers 0,2,2,1,0 are stacked vertically on top of each other. This simply means that you must play all those notes at the same time, created an A minor chord. now the next numbers 5,7,5,7 will be played INDIVIDUALLY. easy enough?

3. Now this is a VERY basic understanding of tablature and there is more to be covered which I will create in article for that you can check out once you get the hang of what you just learned. The next article will answer many questions you may run into.
   
   Thank you for reading and please PLEASE read the next article if you are interested in learning more because guitar tablature is an excellent resource towards your musical journey.
   
   Peace and Love to all. - Brandon

Tips & Warnings

• Many tabs will just have chord names written above lyrics
• For example: C G
• When I find myself in times of trouble
• When you see this MOST of the time the page will offer you the tab to these chords either at the top (or bottom) of the page or when you put your mouse over the chord name sometimes another box will appear on the page with the tab for the chord.
• This is the very basics of tab reading...there are many more symbols to learn so start here and proceed to the next article when you are ready.