Guitar tablature (TAB for short) is a method of notation that makes it easy for musicians to exchange music with a standard computer by graphically representing the strings and frets on a guitar fretboard. Numbers are placed on respective lines which indicate the fret to play and on which string to play it. With these instructions you will be able to understand how to read and write guitar TAB quickly.
TABs are written in lines. Each line represents a string on the guitar. The thickest string being the bottom most line and the thinnest string being the topmost. Picture yourself looking at the strings/fretboard as you are holding the guitar to play. The first string is the low 'E' string and is represented by the bottom line on the TAB. The last string, is the high 'E' and is represented by the top line of the TAB.
The major weakness of guitar TAB is the fact that there is no representation of timing in the system. This means that you have to have heard the composition before, or you are just guessing what the timing is for the particular piece. Some TAB writers will represent it by how much space is between each note.
Below is an example TAB notating the strings on a guitar. This is the basis for guitar Tablature (TAB). When writing a TAB you should use a Mono-Space or Fixed width font like Courier. This means that each character takes up the same physical space and ensures that your TAB is read correctly.
e--------------------------------
B--------------------------------
G--------------------------------
D--------------------------------
A--------------------------------
E--------------------------------
Numbers are then placed on these lines that show where to place your finger on the guitar fret board. The diagram below is an example beginner's riff. Translated to standard notes, this would be: A A B A C# A D B. For this example, you start by playing the A string open two times. Next, you place a finger at the 2nd fret of the A string and play it once, then play the A open again. After that, play the note on the 4th fret followed by the open A and the 5th fret to the 2nd fret again.
e-------------------------------
B-------------------------------
G-------------------------------
D-------------------------------
A--0--0--2--0--4--0--5--2-------
E-------------------------------
There are some variations of guitar TAB that place an 'x' on a string you don't play, while others use the 'x' to notate a muted strum, also called a slash. For this example, we use the latter. This means you only play a string/note if it has a number on the string. Otherwise, you don't play that string.
Chords
A chord in TAB is shown by placing numbers in a stacked position on the horizontal lines or strings. This diagram represents a D Chord. You strum only the bottom 4 strings of the guitar in one motion to play this TAB as it is written.
e--2----------------------------
B--3----------------------------
G--2----------------------------
D--0----------------------------
A-------------------------------
E-------------------------------
And this means you strum the C chord three times followed by two muted strums and strum the D chord twice.
e--0--0--0--x--x--2--2---------
B--1--1--1--x--x--3--3---------
G--0--0--0--x--x--2--2---------
D--2--2--2--x--x--0--0---------
A--3--3--3--x--x---------------
E------------------------------
TAB Symbols
The numbers don’t really describe the subtle techniques that a guitarist can execute. Below is a table displaying the tablature symbols and notations that represent various techniques.
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A Hammer OnA hammer on is executed by picking a note and then hammering down with the fretting hand on the second note. The second note isn’t actually picked but relies on the sustain of the previous fret and how hard you hammer onto the new fret. Here is an example of how hammer ons are written in tab:
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A Pull OffA pull off is the opposite of a hammer on, so the first note is played again then the fretting hand pulls the finger off and lets the one fretted behind it play. The trick is to kind of 'pluck' your finger off the fret. This is done by slightly pulling your finger down or up before/as you lift it from the string. It is a little more difficult at first, but with some practice, you will get it.
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A BendA bend is represented by the symbol ‘b’, this is where the fretting hand actually bends the string to give a wobbly effect. Bends can be pushed or pulled. There is a subtle difference in tone/sound of a pulled vs pushed bend, you will notice this if you listen carefully.
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A Release BendA release bend is represented by the symbol ‘r’, this is just like a bend, but it tells you when to release the bend and go to the next note.
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A Slide-UpA slide up is represented by the symbol ‘/’. You would play the first note on 7 then slide the finger that is holding that note up to 9.
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A Slide-DownOpposite of a Slide Up, slide down is represented by the symbol ‘\’. You would play the first note on 7 then slide the finger that is holding that note down to 5.
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VibratoVibrato is like a constant rhythmic bending of the string. You do a bend up and bend down quickly to create a moving sound. It is usually represented by ‘v’ or ‘~’.
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TappingTapping is much like a hammer-on but you don’t strum any notes. Just tap the notes on the fret board with your fretting hand.
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