Reading Guitar Tabs 101
Learning to read guitar tabs can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn to read guitar tabs quickly and easily with this simple guide. We’ll walk you through the basics and give you tips on reading guitar tabs quickly and confidently.
Learning to read guitar tabs can seem challenging at first. Still, with the right instruction and guidance, anyone can learn how to read guitar tabs quickly and easily. That’s why we’ve created this simple guide to show you how to read guitar tabs and help you become the guitar player you want to be.
We do have to mention this is a very simple guide to get you started. That said, if you want to progress as a guitarist we recommend enrolling in an online course like Fender Play which will help you move forward in your journey.
What are guitar tabs?
Guitar tabs (or tablature) provide an easy-to-read format for reading and learning songs on the guitar. They’re handy for beginners, as they offer an easy way to learn and play songs without guessing what notes are being played. They are many ways they are presented and represented, but we will cover the basics that should help regardless.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Understanding Guitar Tabs
First, you need to understand what guitar tabs are and how they work:
Guitar tabs are a form of music notation that shows you the fret numbers of the strings and the strings that need to be played. They are written in the form of six horizontal lines, each representing a guitar string from the 6th (low E) string to the 1st (high e) string. The top line represents the high E string on the guitar, while the bottom line represents the low E string. The numbers represent the fret numbers you need to press on that particular string.
Learn the tab symbols
Once you understand how guitar tabs work, you must learn the symbols within them. Each symbol represents a different action that needs to be taken, such as picking, bending, sliding, or playing a particular note.
The Numbers
A single number on a line means you must play that fret on the string it is written on. Multiple numbers (usually two or three) on one line indicate a chord. Multiple numbers (usually two or three) on one line indicate a chord.
Chords
When reading chords, you need to look at the number and the spacing between them. The numbers represent the frets that you need to press on that string, while the space between them indicates how long you should press down each fret. For example, if you see two numbers without space between them, you should press down both frets simultaneously.
Other Symbols
Lastly, you may also see other symbols, such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides. This can add complexity to your playing, so it’s best left for intermediate players. However, now that you understand the basics, you’re already well on your way to reading guitar tabs with ease.
Check out this video from Justin Guitar for more In-depth details:
What’s Next?
Find a song you want to learn:
After you understand the basics of guitar tabs and the symbols used in them, you can start looking for songs you want to learn. Look for songs with simple riffs or chords that you can easily learn.
Understand the timing:
Timing is an essential part of learning how to read guitar tabs. You need to make sure that you are playing the notes in the right order and at the right time. This can be difficult at first, but practice makes perfect!
Practice, practice, practice:
Did we mention practice? The only way to learn how to read guitar tabs is to practice. Start slowly and gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable. You could start with chords diagrams by checking our guitar chord diagrams article. Regardless, with enough practice, you will soon be able to read guitar tabs quickly and easily.
Reading guitar tabs doesn’t have to be a difficult task. With the right instruction and guidance, anyone can learn how to read guitar tabs quickly and easily. Guitar tabs provide an easy and effective way to learn songs on the guitar. With this step-by-step guide, you are on your way to reading and playing songs with guitar tabs. So don’t wait any longer. Get out there and start learning those songs!
