In this lesson, we are going to learn how to benefit your guitar playing by reading guitar tabs. The best way to read guitar tabs is to understand what they are & how to benefit from them.
Guitar tabs are a simplified form of sheet music. Let’s just say it’s a type of sheet music for the guitar. Standard notation (a regular type of sheet music) is more general and can be for any instrument.
Reading Guitar Tabs
With tabs, you use lines and numbers to represent the strings and frets you play. Unlike standard notation where you use symbols to recognize notes. Tabs are just a simple way for guitar players to read what needs to be played.
As you can see in the picture above, you have 6 horizontal lines. These represent the six guitar strings. In addition to that, we see that these lines have numbers on them. These represent the frets that we will play on those particular strings.
Watch for the numbers
When numbers are stacked on top of each other as in the first example, this represents a guitar chord with notes played together. When the numbers are horizontal across the strings, this represents the notes that are played individually.
Reading Standard Notation
When reading standard music notation you use only five lines. These are staff lines that are written horizontally across the page. Since this type of music notation is good for any instrument, the sixth line is not needed.
In addition, numbers are not used. Instead, symbols are used to represent notes. Notes that can be played on any instrument. Even the guitar. Also, you can see that these symbols are written on the lines and between them.
This is different than guitar tabs. In tabs, numbers are only written on the lines because of the guitar strings they are being played on. Guitar tabs are designed specifically for guitar players. Kind of like our language. Where standard music notation is written for any instrument.
Music Notation Comparison
As you can see from the picture above. The two types of music notations are very similar. On the top, we have standard notation, and on the bottom, we have guitar tabs. The guitar tab is almost the same thing. Just written in a way that relates to guitar playing. With numbers instead of symbols.
This makes learning to play the guitar easier. It also allows you to enhance your guitar playing and musicianship by learning this very simple music language. Learning to read guitar tabs gives you insight that you would otherwise not get.
Watch The Video Lesson Below
Develop A Better Understanding
To be a good guitar player or musician in general, you must take the time to develop skill sets. Developing a better understanding of reading guitar tabs is one of them. To help you get started, be sure to check out my method books.
Books that I have authored and published on playing guitar.
No matter what level you are at in your guitar playing, one of my books can help. Written in a very simple and easy-to-understand step-by-step method. With pictures, diagrams, and notation that anyone can easily understand. No matter if you have no previous music training. You can learn from my books.
Learn To Read And Write
Once you can read guitar tabs, then you learn to write them. This is where one of the true benefits comes into your playing. Reading and writing a new sacred language. This is what makes guitar tabs great training tools.
Once you understand how they work when you’re reading them (say in a song), you’ll gain insight. Then, if you take the next step in actually writing them, you’ll fully understand how things in music are put together. And that’s when the fun starts.
Learning Guitar By Ear
Playing by ear is great. This is the way most guitar players approach the instrument. You listen to music notes and then try to reproduce them on your guitar. This is also a great skill to develop.
And not one to be overlooked. But if you learn to read and write the written word (sheet music), it will give you a leg up on the competition, as they call it. It will allow you to figure things out in music faster.
Develop Patience
Just like all things we learn in life, we must develop patience. Especially when it comes to learning to read guitar tabs. Although they are simple, they are like learning another language. Once you do, a whole new world will open up to you. You’ll understand things that most guitar players who only learn by ear won’t.
Just start slow and take your time. Find a simple song you like, and look up the tabs for it. If it’s a popular song, there are probably guitar tabs written for it. Since we live in the age of the Internet, this can be found quite easily.
Just Google the song title with tabs and see what comes up. You might be amazed at how easy it is once you get the hang of it.
Step-by-step training
It won’t come overnight, but if you work at it daily, you will see some nice positive results. And your guitar playing will soar. You’ll find yourself wanting to learn more and more with your newfound skillset of reading guitar tabs.
And if more help is needed getting started, be sure to grab one of my guitar method books.
All these books are written with guitar tabs for easier learning. That way, you can get fast results with easy step-by-step lessons and have fun in the process. Even if you have no previous music knowledge or skill. No matter if you'd like to improve your rhythm, lead, or learn more about theory, I've got you covered.
Private guitar instruction is also available
If you'd like to make learning to play the guitar more enjoyable, feel free to reach out. With over 20 years of teaching experience. Both online and in-person. I specialize in crafting customized lessons that cater to your musical journey. Even if you have no formal training. Just contact me at my website, and we'll set up a time to talk on the phone. I look forward to helping you embark on this new and exciting adventure.
Thank you for your time, and best of luck with your learning..
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins
