How To Read Guitar Tabs

Learning how to read guitar tabs is easy. There are 2 methods in common use. I'll show you the simplest one first, although it is really just a simplified version of the other system.

It will allow you to read and write your own tab right now!

This is what the TAB staff looks like, you will see this system in use all over the web. The numbers to the right are the string numbers and they are shown just for this example.

This particular TAB method is only useful if you already know the tune in your head, as it does not supply any information about rhythm and very little about technique or 'feel'.

Each guitar string is represented by a dotted line, the top one being the highest sounding string (top E, thinnest).

Notes to be played are indicated by fret numbers written on the string lines. These tell you exactly where to fret the notes and on which string.

For example, playing a note on the 4th string at the 7th fret would be written like this:

The scale of A major could be written like this:

A chord is represented by numbers stacked above each other like this example of a C major open chord:

The '0' means that the string is played open. All 5 notes are to be played at the same time, as in a strum.

The list below shows commonly used symbols that express guitar playing techniques.

b = bend
r = release
h = hammer-on
p = pull-off
/ = slide up
\ = slide down
v (or ~)= vibrato
t = right hand tap
s = slide
tr = trill
tp = trem. picking
pm = palm mute

That's the simple system, the detailed system looks like this:

Or this:

This one allows you to write rhythms and techniques very accurately.

Both systems use the same or similar symbols for playing techniques but you will often come across variations in the way an individual author writes the tabs.

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