In today's lesson, we will learn how to read guitar tabs in 5 easy steps. Reading guitar notation can benefit your guitar playing by giving you insights into music you wouldn't normally get by just learning from ear. Learn to read guitar tabs, and see how they enhance your overall musicianship.
What are guitar tabs?
If you're new to the world of guitar playing, learning how to read guitar tabs can be a game-changer. Tabs, short for tablature, provide a simple way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you get started:
#1: Understand the Basics of Guitar Tabs
Guitar tabs are a form of musical notation that uses numbers and lines to indicate where your fingers should go on the guitar strings. A standard tab consists of six horizontal lines, each representing one of the guitar strings. From top to bottom, the lines correspond to strings E, B, G, D, A, and E.
#2: Learn the Number System
Each number on a tab indicates which fret you should press on a particular string. For example, a "0" means you play the open string, a "1" means you press the first fret, and so on. The numbers are read from left to right, showing you the sequence of notes to play.
#3: Recognize Symbols and Their Meanings
Tabs also use various symbols to represent different techniques:
- Hammer-ons are indicated by an "h" (e.g., 5h7 means you hammer on from the 5th fret to the 7th fret).
- Pull-offs are shown with a "p" (e.g., 7p5 means you pull off from the 7th fret to the 5th fret).
- Slides are marked with a "/" or "" (e.g., 5/7 means you slide from the 5th fret to the 7th fret).
- Bends are depicted with a "b" followed by the fret number you bend to (e.g., 7b9 means you bend the 7th fret note up to the pitch of the 9th fret).
#4: Practice with Simple Songs
Start practicing with simple songs that have straightforward tabs. This will help you become comfortable with reading and interpreting the numbers and symbols. Websites and apps offer a plethora of tabs for songs of varying difficulty.
#5: Play Along with the Recording
Once you're familiar with the tab, try playing along with a recording of the song. This will help you get the timing and rhythm right. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you play, the more intuitive reading tabs will become.
Bonus tip:
Write it out. Once you learn to read guitar tabs, it is a good idea to get some blank tab paper, which can easily be found online, and start writing out what you have learned. Writing out the numbers and symbols that you've learned will help them to cement themselves into your brain a lot easier, and you'll be able to remember them when you see them in songs and instruction books.
By following these steps, you'll be able to read guitar tabs and start playing your favorite tunes in no time. But to do so, you must work with guitar tabs daily to get the information cemented in your brain. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend you check out my guitar method books, which are written in this way.
Authored & self-published method books
No matter if you are just starting, working on improving your rhythm playing, or looking to take your guitar playing to the next level with guitar solos and theory, I have a book for you.
These books are written in a simple step-by-step method that anyone can easily learn from. Filled with diagrams, easy notation, and learning assessments to make learning fun. Reach your desired goals quickly with my method books. No matter where you are on your journey, you will be able to get to the next level quickly.
And if you purchase one of my books, which are available anywhere books are sold, like Amazon, and have any questions about any of the lessons, you can contact me, and I will be happy to help you out. You can't get much better than that. So do as suggested in this lesson, learn to read guitar tabs, and see how it can help improve your musicianship.
Thanks for your time, and keep up the good work.
Until our next guitar lesson, take care.
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins
