The guitar player or guitarist has musical notes called "guitar tablature", or "guitar tabs". By using guitar tabs, guitarists can play a variety of music without having to learn to read standard sheet music or standard sheet music. While guitar tabs are not a perfect way to describe music, guitar tabs allow a new generation of guitarists to share information via the Internet about how to play multiple songs quickly and easily. In practice, this is a quick step up for many of the guitar scores you can find online.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Using Tabs for Frets and Chords
Step 1. Look at the tab notes as representative of guitar strings or strings
A tab is usually depicted using six horizontal lines, where each line is a representative of an individual guitar string. The bottom line represents the lowest and thickest guitar strings, while the top line represents the tallest and thinnest guitar strings. For a standard guitar setup, those horizontal lines will represent, from bottom to top, the low E, A, D, G, B and high E strings.
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- E---------------------------------||(thinnest string)
- B---------------------------------||
- G---------------------------------||
- D---------------------------------||
- A---------------------------------||
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E---------------------||(the thickest string)
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Step 2. Give the order of numbers on each guitar fret
Unlike other musical notes, guitar tabs don't tell you which note to play. Instead, the guitar tab tells you where to place your fingers on the guitar fret. The number in each horizontal line corresponds to each guitar fret on the fretboard. Each number represents a specific guitar fret. For example, the "1" on the bottom stanza means playing the first fret on the lowest string.
If the written number is greater than 0, (1, 2, 3, 4, and so on), press your finger on the fret and play, the "1" fret is the fret closest to the base of the guitar and the fret number increases as you play towards the guitar. guitar body. If the number is 0, pluck the string without pressing the fret
Step 3. Play the numbers written vertically at the same time
When reading tabs, you will often see numbers lined up vertically. Those numbers are “keys”. Press each note in the key as it is written, and play the notes together. You will get a fuller voice and you can see what key name is written there. See example 2 below.
Step 4. Read from left to right
Think of tabs as sentences in a book – read them from left to right, continuing with the following lines after you have finished reading the previous line. Play the notes and chords in order as you read them from left to right.
- Keep in mind that many (but not all) tabs don't show the rhythm at which you need to play notes. Usually each tab is separated by a vertical line called measures, but tabs won't tell you the cadence of each measure. In that case, try listening to the song as you read the tabs to find the beat.
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Some of the more complex tabs show rhythms you can follow – there will usually be a rhythm mark above each tab note. Each rhythm mark will be written vertically parallel to the note (or rest mark) to indicate how long the note (or how long the rest mark) is played. Examples of rhythm marks are:
- w = full tone h = half tone q = quarter tone. e = one-eighth tone. s = one-sixteenth note. Sometimes, sign & written to indicate that a note or rest mark is played on an odd count.
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the dot after the rhythm mark indicates that the corresponding note or rest mark is half as long as the original value. For example, q.
= a quarter of a note longer.
- For basic rhythms, check out How to read music
Step 5. Try looking for sample lyrics or keys
Many songs have guitar parts that are all or most of the chords. Usually, songs have sections for the guitarist to play chords. In this case, we can forget about the tab notes and just focus on changing guitar chords. These keys are usually written in standard chord notes (Amen = A minor, E7 = E dominant 7, etc.) Play the keys in the order they are written – if they are not written regularly, try playing one key per count, but if the sound doesn't sound right, try listening to the song to find out how to strumming or drumming.
- Sometimes, chord changes are written above the lyrics to indicate when the chords should be played, as in The Beatles' "Twist and Shout:" tab.
- (A7)……………….(D)…………(G)…………(A)
- Well shake it up baby, now (shake it up baby)
Part 2 of 3: Reading Special Symbols
Step 1. Look at the additional symbols in the tabs
As in the example above, tabs are not a collection of lines and notes. Tabs use many symbols to describe how to play notes according to tabs. Each symbol represents a different playing technique – to make a song sound like the original, focus on the special signs.
Step 2. Learn the Hammer on symbol
In a tab, when the alphabet "h" is written between two notes (eg 7h9) means a hammer on technique is required. To play the hammer on technique, play the first note normally, then use your finger on the guitar fret to press the second note without using your other hand to strum the note.
Sometimes the "^" is also used to indicate the hammer on technique (e.g. 7^9)
Step 3. Learn the pull off technique
The letter "p" written between two notes (eg 9p7) means we need to play the pull off technique, which is basically the opposite of the hammer on technique. Pick the first note and then use your other finger to press the second note. Then, quickly lift the finger that is still pressing the first note. We will hear the second note.
As with the hammer on technique, sometimes the "^" is used for the pull off technique (eg 9^7). In this case, play the pull off technique when the second note is lower or play the hammer on technique when the second note is higher
Step 4. Pay attention to the symbol for bending the string
If the letter "b" is between two numbers (eg 7b9), hit the first note and move the string up until it sounds like the second note.
Sometimes the second number is in brackets, and the letter "b" is ignored. If there is an "r" it indicates that it is a note that will not be played (eg 7b9r7)
Step 5. Pay attention to the symbols for the sliding technique
Try the basic sliding technique by strumming one note, then moving the finger toward the body of the guitar or the base of the guitar without removing the finger from the fretboard, then stopping at another note. Sliding towards the guitar body is indicated by the "/" symbol and sliding towards the base of the guitar is indicated by the "\" symbol (eg 7/9\7).
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The "s" (not "S") symbol is usually used to play the legato slide technique. This technique is like the normal sliding technique, but you only strum the first note. After strumming the first note, move your finger to the other fret to get the second note.
Read Guitar Tabs 10b1 There is some argument as to whether the legato slide technique can be played perfectly because the second note will produce a smooth strum. However, the main thing is not to cut off notes when your finger moves to another fret
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Shift slides are represented by a capital letter "S". In this case, strum the target note (second note) without strumming the first note.
Read Guitar Tabs 10b2
Step 6. There are also symbols for the tremolor bar technique
If your guitar has a tremolo bar (also called a "whammy bar" or "vibrato bar") follow the symbols below to produce the following sounds.
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If you see a "\n/" sign, " where n = some number, play the tremolo bar dip. Quickly pluck and release the tremolo bar that is on the neck of the guitar to get a note. The number n written indicates which tremolo bar you should use. pick and drop quickly - touch the tremolo bar according to the written n (n can be called a semitone which means a tremolo bar or a vertical tremolo line between two frets.) For example, "\5/" means to go down 5 semitones lower, or 5 frets lower than the original note.
Read Guitar Tabs 11b1 - If you see a "\n," (n=in numeric form), press the n position, then make a sound and immediately release your finger to decrease the pitch.
- If you see the "n/" symbol, strum the tremolo bar after the written n to raise the pitch. For some guitars, you can also place your tremolo bar upside down so that when you hit the tremolo bar you raise the original pitch.
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If you see the "/n\" symbol, play the tremolo bar inverted dip technique by releasing the tremolo bar and then raising it. Like the image above, do the same when you put your tremolo bar upside down.
Read Guitar Tabs 11b4
Step 7. Pay attention to the vibrato symbol which is "~" or "v"
If you see these symbols, play the vibrato on the previous note. Pick the note, then use your hand on the guitar fret to quickly bend and return the string to its original place, vibrating the string.
Step 8. Pay attention to the muting technique
Several different symbols are used to signal silence or pause.
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If you see an "x" or a dot below the number, apply a muting technique to the string. Place your hand that normally holds the fret on the string so that when you pluck the string, you will hear a dull sound. Multiple "x" symbols in a row on adjacent strings indicates that we are playing this technique for more than one string at the same time.
Read Guitar Tabs 13b1 -
If you see the "PM" symbol, " use the palm muting technique (stopping sound with the palm of your hand). For right-handed guitarists, blast the end of your right palm on the strings near the guitar bridge. the same as stopping the notes), you can hear the notes, but very briefly. Move your right hand toward the neck of the guitar to make the notes shorter.
Read Guitar Tabs 13b2
Step 9. Learn the symbol for the tapping technique which is usually written with the letter "t
"If you see the letter "t" (eg 2h5t12p5p2) use one of your strumming fingers to tap the desired fret loudly. This is a useful way to make very quick changes to the desired note.
Step 10. Learn to play the harmonic technique
The guitar tabs have several different techniques for playing harmonics - the bell-like notes created by some special technique of pressing the frets.
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For natural harmonic techniques, the symbol used is "" (eg). In this case, place the finger you use to play the fret on the metal line on the right side of the fret, not in the middle of the fret. Then, play the strings for a clean chime.
Read Guitar Tabs 15b1 -
The technique of playing pinch harmonics is represented by this symbol (eg [n]). To play this technique, play a note with your hand holding the pick, and the thumb of the same hand also touching the note. Use the vibrato technique of your other hand to extend the note. The Pinch harmonics technique is difficult and requires a lot of practice.
Read Guitar Tabs 15b2 Note: This technique works best on an electric guitar with a distortion technique using a bridge pickup
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The harmonic tapped technique is represented by the symbol n (n). The tapped harmonic technique is played like a natural harmonic technique, but is bent around the neck of the guitar. Hit the first note, then use your finger on the hand on the body of the guitar to play the strings on the second fret.
Read Guitar Tabs 15b3
Step 11. Learn the symbols for the trills technique
When you see the symbol "tr" written on the tab (usually written between two notes, or above two notes), followed by this symbol ("~'s."), it means we need to play the first note, then do the hammer on technique. on the second note, and the pull off technique on the first note repeatedly.
Step 12. Learn the symbols for the tremolo picking technique
"TP" means you need to play the tremolo picking technique - pick one note as fast as you can. Sometimes, the TP symbol will be followed by this set of symbols (~ or -) to give you a hint of how long you need to play this technique.
Part 3 of 3: Reading Sample Tab
Step 1. Look at the following tabs
It contained several three-note chords and several individual notes on the higher strings. We will play this tab slowly.
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- E---------------3-0--------------------||
- B------------------3-0----------------||
- G--7-7-7--------------2-0------------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7-----------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7-----------------------||
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E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
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Step 2. Start with the key written on the left side
First, you will play the E power chord (middle finger / second finger on the second fret on the A string, ring finger / third finger on the second fret on the D string, and no finger on the low E string) strum or play three that string (E, A, D) once. Play the following keys:
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- E------------3-0-----------------||
- B-----------------3-0--------------||
- G----777-----------2---------------------||
- D-(2)-777--777--------------------||
- A-(2)-555--777--------------------||
- E-(0)------5555--------------------||
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Step 3. Continue with the next two keys
The next key you'll be playing is the power chord on the fifth fret of the A string, playing it three times. So, you'll be playing the fifth fret of the A string with your index finger, the seventh fret of the D string with your middle finger, and the fifth fret of the G string with your ring finger. Lower these fingers one string down so that your index finger is on the fifth fret of the E string, with your other fingers on the seventh fret of the A and D strings. Play the keys in the sequence marked in parentheses like the following.
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- E------------3-0-----------------||
- B-----------------3-0--------------||
- G----(7)77-----------2-0----------||
- D-2--(7)77--777-------------------||
- A-2--(5)55--777------------------||
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E-0---------555-------------------||
- E---------------3-0--------------||
- B------------------3-0------------||
- G----7(7)7------------2-0---------|||
- D-2--7(7)7--777-------------------||
- A-2--5(5)5--777-------------------||
E-0---------555-------------------||
- E---------------3-0--------------||
- B------------------3-0------------||
- G----77(7)------------2-0---------||
- D-2--77(7)--777-------------------||
- A-2--55(5)--777-------------------||
E-0---------555-------------------||
- E---------------3-0--------------||
- B------------------3-0------------||
- G----777-------------2-0-----||
- D-2--777--(7)77-------------------||
- A-2--555--(7)77-------------------||
E-0-------(5)55------------------||
- E---------------3-0--------------||
- B------------------3-0------------||
- G----777-------------2-0-----||
- D-2--777--7(7)7-------------------||
- A-2--555--7(7)7-------------------||
E-0-------5(5)5-------------------||
- E---------------3-0--------------||
- B------------------3-0------------||
- G----777-------------2-0-----||
- D-2--777--77(7)-------------------||
- A-2--555--77(7)-------------------||
E-0-------55(5)------------------||
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Step 4. Play the individual notes on the right
After the first three keys in the example above, we will play the individual notes written after them. Place your finger on the third fret of the high E string, strum once, then play the high E string (without placing your finger on the fret), and so on. Play the notes marked in parentheses below.
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- E--------------(3)--------------------||
- B--------------------3-0----------------||
- G--7-7-7-----------------2-------------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
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E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
- E---------------3-(0)-------------------||
- B--------------------3-0----------------||
- G--7-7-7-----------------2-------------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
- E---------------3-------------------------------||
- B--------------------(3)---------------||
- G--7-7-7------------------2-0----------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
- E---------------3-------------------------------||
- B--------------------3-(0)-------------||
- G--7-7-7------------------2-0----------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
- E---------------3-------------------------------||
- B--------------------3-0----------------||
- G--7-7-7----------------(2)-0----------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
- E---------------3-------------------------------||
- B--------------------3-0----------------||
- G--7-7-7----------------2-(0)----------||
- D-2-7-7-7-7-7-7------------------------||
- A-2-5-5-5-7-7-7------------------------||
E-0-------5-5-5------------------------||
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Step 5. Play chords and notes from left to right without stopping
Beat with your feet, and play each note or key with each beat. Play slowly, and increase your tempo when you're good at playing it slow.
Tips
- Start by reading the guitar tabs for easy songs you've heard, so you know what they look like when played.
- Read all the scores carefully. Some people have special symbols for slides, bends, pull-offs and so on. However, they will usually create an index at the very top of the page.
- Some key shapes may seem odd at first. Try to find a way to play the chords that is comfortable and easy for you.
Warning
- Some tabs on the internet are uploaded by people and are not always guaranteed to be accurate.
- Many tabbed sites use the works of artists without permission. Use an official tab site (such as MxTabs.net or GuitarWorld.com) to ensure that the tabs you are using are licensed. Artists usually have contracts with these sites to earn revenue or profit from advertising.
- Guitar tabs won't help you in learning music theory, because guitar tabs only show you where to put your fingers. In many books, you can see guitar tabs written next to standard notes. Guitar tabs are useful for experienced guitarists and perfect for guitarists in general.
- One downside of guitar tabs is that they don't tell you when to play the notes written. If you're having trouble playing music at the correct tempo, try different guitar tabs, or consider learning to read standard musical notes.
- Some musicians don't want their work to be published without permission, so be careful what you write and publish on the internet.
- Apart from not showing you when to play written notes, guitar tabs are also limited compared to standard musical notes as guitar tabs don't show information such as key voicing, separating melodies from others, showing melody shape, and other musical details.
