Learn To Read Guitar Tabs

Guitar Tabs (short for Tablature) is a form of musical notation specifically created for guitar players

. Most other instruments have the 5-line stave system of notation which gives precise notes and rhythms for the player to follow. The Tabs system of notation for guitar uses 6 lines, each one relating to one of the guitar's strings. Most guitarists, at some stage in their playing career, will need to learn to read guitar Tabs. For those studying classical guitar, sheet music will be read using the usual 5-line stave. In most other styles of playing, you will encounter music notated in both the Tabs and the traditional stave notation. Whichever version you are faced with, learning to read music notation really is a simple affair which, for some reason, becomes a major handicap for many people. So, if you are faced with Tabs for the first time and you are feeling a little apprehensive, begin by repeating to yourself over and over again, "This is going to be easy!" Once you believe that you will find the whole process very straight-forward.

So, how do Tabs work? What do you need to know in order to learn to read guitar Tabs? Well, as I said above, the system is based on 6 horizontal lines. Each line represents one string of the guitar with the top E string at the top and the bottom E string at the bottom. (Not difficult so far!) You can imagine it as a drawing of the fret board of the guitar. On to these lines are placed numbers. Each number refers to a fret on the instrument. A '0' means the string is open (no finger). A '1' on a string means the finger goes behind the 1st fret on that particular string; a '2' means that the finger goes behind the 2nd fret on that particular string; etc. etc. It's dead easy!

To give an example of the above, a chord of E would have '0' on the bottom string, '2' on the next string up, '2' on the third string, '1' on the fourth string and '0' on each of the two top strings. If you have a guitar to hand, - try it. The system is quick and easy to pick up. In no time at all you will learn to read guitar Tabs and play from them.

Once you have mastered Tabs you will find many, many free downloads of sheet music in Tabs format which will enable you to play lots of your favourite songs or instrumentals. Choose your songs carefully as some will be much more difficult than others. With practice you will find yourself able to read and play more demanding songs and guitar parts.

Follow the advice above and put it into practice and you will very quickly learn to read guitar Tabs. As I said earlier in this article, it really is an easy thing to understand and to use. Having the ability to read guitar music, rather than just work it out by ear from recordings, will greatly enhance your ability and expand the possibilities of your playing.

Copyright (c) 2010 Robert Hinchliffe

by: Robert Hinchliffe

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