Calling all aspiring guitarists and guitar students!
So you’ve picked up a guitar - awesome! Now you’re probably wondering how people figure out what notes to play without reading sheet music. Well, that’s where guitar tablature (or "tabs") comes in!
Tabs are like a secret guitar code—and today, you’re going to learn how to crack it. Ready? Let’s go!
What Is a Guitar Tab?
A guitar tab is a special kind of music writing just for guitar players. Instead of using musical notes like in a piano book, tabs show you exactly where to place your fingers on the strings and which frets to play.
Think of it like a guitar map!
What a Tab Looks Like
Here’s a simple guitar tab:
Each line is a guitar string. From top to bottom:
- e = the 1st (thinnest) string
- B = 2nd string
- G = 3rd string
- D = 4th string
- A = 5th string
- E = 6th (thickest) string
Top line = the high “e” string (the one closest to your feet)
Bottom line = the low “E” string (the one closest to your face)
What Do the Numbers Mean?
The numbers tell you which fret to press on a string.
From our example above:
- On the D string, press the 2nd fret
- On the A string, press the 2nd fret
- On the E string, play it open (no fingers!)
That makes an E minor chord!
More Cool Stuff You Might See
Sometimes tabs have extra symbols. Here's what a few of them mean:
- 0 = play the string open
- 3 = press the 3rd fret
- 5h7 or curved line hammer-on from fret 5 to 7
- 7p5 = pull-off from fret 7 to 5
- 7/ or 7\ = slide up or down
- ~ = vibrato (wiggle the note!)
But don't worry—when you're just starting out, you really only need to focus on the strings and the fret numbers!
Tab Is Like a Game
Think of tabs like a game:
- Each line is a string.
- Each number is a target.
- You hit that target by pressing the fret and plucking the string!
You don’t need to read music like Mozart - just follow the lines and numbers, and you'll be jamming in no time.
Quick Tips
- Practice slowly at first. Speed will come later!
- Make sure your guitar is in tune so it sounds good.
- Use your fingertips, not the pads of your fingers.
- Have fun - play songs you love!
Ready to Rock?
Now that you know how to read guitar tabs, try looking up an easy song and give it a go. A great place to start is something like:
- “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
- “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple
- Or any song that makes you smile 😄
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be making music like a pro!