Guitar Learning Centre

Tablature (Tabs)

How to Read Guitar Tablature

Reading guitar tabs is intuitive as it visually represents the guitar’s fretboard. You read the notation from left to right to determine the sequence of notes or chords. 
 
  • Lines and Strings: The tab consists of six horizontal lines, each representing a string on the guitar. The top line is the thinnest, high E string, and the bottom line is the thickest, low E string.
  • Numbers and Frets: Numbers placed on the lines indicate which fret to press on the corresponding string. A “0” means you play the string open (without pressing any fret).
  • Chords: When numbers are stacked vertically, you play those notes simultaneously as a chord. Chord names are often labeled above the staff for clarity.
  • Rhythm: Most basic tabs don’t show rhythm clearly, so it is best to listen to the song for timing. Advanced tabs may include standard rhythm notation (stems and flags) alongside the tab lines or use spacing to suggest duration. 

Notes - shown as musical notes and in tabs

Understanding Tablature Variations

Our guitar offers a variety of ways to make different sounds and tunes. As well as playing note and chord sequences we can add effects to notes to make the guitar sound as we wish and as we hear in the many famous guitar riffs. the main ones are outlined below.

Tie

A tie is when you extend the duration of a note or chord.

  • In TAB: A curved line connects two notes of the same pitch
  • How to perform: The first note is struck and held for the length of the second note, but the second note is not struck.

Hammer On

A hammer on is a technique where you slam your finger onto the higher fret

  • In TAB: A curved line (slur) connects a lower note to a higher note. You may also see the letter H, either replacing or adding to the curved line.
  • How to perform: Strike the lower note, then hammer your finger onto the fretboard to produce the note, without picking the string.

Pull Off

A pull off is pulling a finger off a string, so that the lower note sounds with being plucked

  • In TAB: A curved line (slur) connects a higher note to a lower note. You may also see the letter P, either replacing or adding to the curved line.
  • How to perform: Strike the higher note, then flick off the finger to produce the lower note. Usually dragging the finger downwards across the string will produce the best result