How to Read Banjo Music

Learning to read banjo music will make you a well-rounded banjo player.

Learning to read banjo music will not only improve your playing skills but will make you a well-rounded banjo player. Banjo players who can decipher written music are better able to understand music fundamentals and increase their song repertoire more readily because they don't need to listen to and "figure out" music by ear. Most professional banjo players can read, write and play tablature and standard music notation, but tablature is the predominant form of written music, especially on the Internet, and it can be learned in minimum time, with minimum effort. Standard musical notation and music theory is best learned from a qualified banjo instructor because, while important, it takes a considerable time commitment.

Things You'll Need

• Banjo music in tablature form

Instructions

1. Familiarize yourself with the five horizontal lines on the tablature. The bottom line represents the 5th banjo string (the shortest) with each line above representing the 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st strings. Depending on the banjo tuning (of which there are many), the particular tuning notes may appear at the beginning of each line, or they may simply be numbered if the banjo tuning used for the song is indicated elsewhere. In some cases where the tuning is indicated, no string numbers or notes appear next to the string lines.

2. Read and play tablature from left to right, as if you are reading a sentence. Place your finger on the fret number printed on the string line, and pick the note. In some cases, the right hand picking finger used for the note will be printed below the string lines---T = thumb, 1 or I = index, 2 or M = middle, 3 or R = ring and 4 or P = pinky. Proceed to fret and pick the subsequent fret numbers. Numbers that appear on top of one another indicate that two or more strings will be played at the same time, called an "interval" for two strings and a "chord" for three or more strings.

3. Continue fretting and picking the numbers that follow until you reach the end of the line. Then go to the next set of lines to continue the song, reading from left to right. You will encounter certain musical symbols, particularly "II:" and ":II" placed at the beginning and end of a line or set of lines. This symbol indicates a repeat of the section between the symbols, and it is usually repeated once, unless indicated by a number next to the last repeat sign---2X or similar indication.

4. Notice that some fret numbers may have "stems" attached to them. These stems indicate the "beat" of the note and are usually quarter notes (one beat) or eighth notes (half-beat). When playing quarter notes, count "1-2-3-4" and play one note for each beat. When playing eighth notes (used in faster music), play one note for each half-beat as you count "1&2&3&4&." In some banjo music, a combination of quarter and eighth notes are used in a song. The completion of each type of beat count is called a "measure."

5. Read any other information included with the tablature, called a "legend," which will include other information pertaining to the song and how the tab is written. Some legends will include symbols for tuning, note sustains, note fades, note rests and other helpful symbols and explanatory information.

Tips & Warnings

• Tablature is an established written musical form, but it is open to interpretation and personalization by the tab writer. Always read all legends and other notes that may be included for special symbols and instructions you may not have encountered before.

• Finding tab music that includes standard musical notation written above it is an excellent way to learn both styles of written music. When purchasing songbooks, look for those that include this type of layout.

• Practice slowly and methodically, breaking down songs into small sections until you are able to read and play the music all the way through without hesitation or errors.

• Tablature is not a substitute for learning standard musical notation for any instrument. Becoming an expert at tablature but not in standard music notation or theory will not make you a musical expert if you wish to advance your career as a music teacher or professional musician, where reading "proper" music is a prerequisite.

• Since tablature is a popular musical writing form on the Internet---and consequently easy to use and publish---tablature may not always be correct, especially when it is someone's interpretation of a song they do not own the copyright to.

References

• ezFolk: How to Read Tablature
• Folk of the Wood: How to Read & Understand Tablature for 5-String Banjo
• The Banjo Man: Reading Tablature

Resources

• Free Banjo Vidoes: How to Read Banjo Tablature
• Banjo Tabs: How to Read and Use Banjo Tabs
• Banjo News: How to Read Three-Finger Style Banjo Tablature