subject: How To Read Easy Guitar Tabs [print this page] When it comes to learning how to play the guitar, there are many new things you must deal with. You may not be used to pressing down on strings and you may not be familiar with chords. There are many things which can be difficult or confusing for beginning guitarists, not the least of which is guitar tablature. When amateur guitarists are first introduced to guitar tablature, it can seem very complicated and confusing. After some basic instruction, however, the organization behind this system becomes clear. If you are a beginning guitarist, the following information will help you to learn how to read an easy guitar tab so you can be on your way to playing some of your favorite songs.
Guitar tablature is an alternative to standard notation - it allows guitarists to decipher the notes and chords of a song without being able to read music. Easy guitar tabs are set up on a staff composed of six horizontal lines representing the six strings on the guitar. The bottom line of the staff represents the low E string which is followed, in ascending order, by A, D, G, B, and then the high E. An easy guitar tab is set up in this fashion: set of numbers are printed on certain lines of the staff. Each number represents a fret on the guitar neck and the line of the staff on which the number is printed corresponds to the string on which that fret should be pressed. For example, a number seven printed on the fourth line from the top of the staff would indicate that you should press down on the seventh fret of the fourth, or D string. A zero printed on any line of the staff simply indicates that you should play an open string.
Guitar tabs can also be used for both single notes and chords. When several numbers are printed in vertical alignment on the staff, this indicates a chord - all of these notes should be played at once. Reading tablature is a skill which can take some time to master. Begin with a few easy guitar tabs and once you understand the way the tablature works you will be ready to move on to more complex tabs. After spending a little bit of time practicing you will realize that guitar tabs are really not that complicated - they actually make a lot of sense!
