Have you ever seen strange lines and numbers instead of musical notes and wondered what they mean? You’ve probably stumbled upon guitar tablature, more commonly known as guitar tab. It’s a simplified way to write down music specifically for guitar (and other fretted instruments like bass), and it’s an excellent way to learn songs without reading traditional sheet music.
Decoding the Fretboard: What is Guitar Tab?
This beginner’s guide breaks down the basics of guitar tablature, covering string representation, fret numbers, chords, common symbols, and the pros and cons of using tablature for learning guitar.
Think of sheet music as a universal language for all instruments, while guitar tab is a specialized dialect just for guitar.
While standard notation shows rhythm and pitch, tab focuses on where to put your fingers on the fretboard.
How Does Guitar Tab Work?
Guitar tab represents the guitar strings as horizontal lines.
Typically, there are six lines, each corresponding to a string on the guitar:
- E (top line) – The thickest, lowest-pitched string
- A
- D
- G
- B
- e (bottom line) – The thinnest, highest-pitched string
Numbers on these lines indicate which fret to press down. A “0” means the string is played open (no fret pressed).5 Other numbers correspond to the fret number: “1” is the first fret, “2” is the second, and so on.
Reading a Simple Tab:
Let’s look at an example of a simple E major chord:
e|--0--
B|--0--
G|--1--
D|--2--
A|--2--
E|--0--
This tab tells you to:
- Play the E string open (0).
- Play the B string open (0).
- Press down the G string at the first fret (1).
- Press down the D string at the second fret (2).
- Press down the A string at the second fret (2).
- Play the E string open (0).
When you play these notes together, you’ll hear an E major chord!
![E Chord - Easy Third Guitar Chord - Beginner Guitar Lessons Stage 1 - JustinGuitar [BC-113]](https://guitarbomb.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-fastest-cache-premium/pro/images/blank.gif)
Why is Guitar Tab So Popular?
Guitar tab’s popularity comes from its simplicity and directness. It’s:
- Easy to Learn: You don’t need to memorize musical notation. Tab visually shows you where to put your fingers.
- Guitar-Specific: Tab is tailored to the guitar’s layout, making it intuitive for guitarists.
- Widely Available: A vast library of guitar tab is available online, covering almost every genre and song imaginable.
Limitations of Guitar Tab
While tab is fantastic, it does have some limitations:
- Lack of Rhythm: Basic tab doesn’t always indicate rhythm or timing. You might need to listen to the song to get the rhythm right. However, more advanced tabs include rhythmic notation.
- No Dynamics: Basic tab typically doesn’t show dynamics (how loud or soft to play).
- Variations in Style: Different tab writers might have slightly different ways of representing techniques like bends or slides.
Beyond the Basics
As you progress, you’ll encounter more complex tab symbols:
- Hammers-on/Pull-offs: Represented by ‘h’ and ‘p’ respectively, these indicate smooth transitions between notes without picking.
- Slides: Shown with ‘s’, slides involve moving your finger along the fretboard.
- Bends: Represented by ‘b’, bends involve pushing or pulling the string to change the pitch.
- Tremolo/Vibrato: Indicated by ‘~’ or ‘v’, these involve rapidly bending the string for a wavering effect.
A Useful Tool for Guitarists
Guitar tab is an invaluable tool for any guitarist, from beginners to seasoned players. It provides a simple and effective way to learn songs and explore the world of guitar music. So, pick up your guitar, find some tab for your favorite song, and start decoding the fretboard!
Read more useful How To Guides on Guitar Bomb.
