Reading Tab 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Guitar Tablature

Summary Content

Learning to read guitar tablature (or “tab” for short) is one of the fastest ways to start playing songs on the guitar, especially for beginners. Unlike traditional sheet music, tab is easy to understand and perfect for visual learners. At Rock U Canada, we teach students of all levels how to read and play from tabs in our Calgary guitar lessons, giving them the tools they need to play their favorite songs right away!

In this guide, we’ll take you through the basics of reading guitar tab, explain how it works, and provide tips to get you started on the right foot. Let’s dive in!

What is Guitar Tab?

Guitar tab is a simplified form of musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. It consists of six horizontal lines representing the six strings of the guitar. The top line corresponds to the high E string (the thinnest), while the bottom line represents the low E string (the thickest). Numbers are placed on these lines to indicate which frets to press down.

e|-------------------
B|-------------------
G|-------------------
D|---2---------------
A|---2---------------
E|---0---------------
 

In the above tab, the numbers “0”, “2”, and “2” tell you to play an E power chord by pressing down on the second fret of the A and D strings while letting the low E string ring open.

Breaking Down the Basics

Strings and Frets: Each of the six horizontal lines corresponds to a string on your guitar, and the numbers represent frets. “0” means an open string (play without pressing down any fret), “1” means the first fret, “2” the second fret, and so on.

Reading Left to Right: Tabs are read from left to right, just like a book. Each note or chord is played sequentially, making it easy to follow along.

Symbols to Know:

  • “h” stands for hammer-on (e.g., 5h7 means play the 5th fret, then hammer onto the 7th).
  • “p” stands for pull-off (e.g., 7p5 means pull off from the 7th fret to the 5th).
  • “/” indicates a slide up, and “\” indicates a slide down.
  • “b” means to bend the string, and “r” means to release the bend.

Chords and Riffs: Tabs can show single notes, chords, or entire riffs. When numbers are stacked on top of each other vertically, it means those notes should be played simultaneously.

Practice Reading Tab

The best way to get comfortable with tab is to practice! Start by choosing a simple song or riff that you enjoy. Focus on playing each note clearly and accurately. At Rock U Canada’s guitar lessons, we often use tab to teach popular rock songs to our students, as it helps them connect with the music they love while developing their skills.

If you’re struggling to read tab quickly, break it down into smaller sections. Practice one line at a time until you can play it smoothly, then move on to the next. Over time, you’ll find that reading tab becomes second nature!

Advantages of Learning Guitar Tab

  • Easy to Learn: Tab is straightforward and easy to pick up, making it a great tool for beginners.
  • Visual Representation: It visually shows you where to place your fingers, which is helpful for visual learners.
  • Play by Ear: Learning to read tab encourages you to listen closely to songs and understand the relationship between the notes you see and hear.

Reading guitar tab is a must-have skill for any beginner guitarist. It opens up a world of songs and solos to learn, helping you play along with your favorite tracks quickly and easily. With a bit of practice, you’ll be reading tab fluently in no time. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding and get hands-on guidance, consider signing up for our Calgary guitar lessons at Rock U Canada. Our experienced instructors will walk you through tab reading and help you apply it to real music in a fun and engaging way!

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