Guitar Tabs (or tablature) are a simple, numerical way to write music for guitar. Websites like Ultimate-Guitar.com contain huge libraries of free tabs, making it easy to learn your favorite songs. However, it's important to know that not all free tabs are 100% correct. They are often user-submitted and can be close but not perfect. For complete accuracy, buying official sheet music is best. This guide will show you how to read both basic and professional tabs.
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How to Read the Basics
Tablature represents the six strings of the guitar as horizontal lines. The tricky part for beginners is that it's upside down from your perspective: the top line is the thinnest string (high e), and the bottom line is the thickest string (low E).
e|-------------------| (Thinnest string) B|-------------------| G|-------------------| D|-------------------| A|-------------------| E|-------------------| (Thickest string)
The numbers on the lines tell you which fret to play on that string. A 0 means to play the open string. For example, if you see a 3 on the bottom line, you play the 3rd fret of the low E string.
Understanding Tab Symbols (Accents)
Tabs use symbols to represent techniques like hammer-ons (`h`), pull-offs (`p`), slides (`/` or `\`), and many others. It's crucial to look for a symbol key or legend at the top of the tab, as each author might have their own way of defining these accents.
Free Tabs vs. Professional Sheet Music
Basic Guitar Tab
This is a typical tab you might find online. In this example from "3am" by Matchbox 20, numbers stacked vertically represent a chord. You can also see a hammer-on indicated by `h`.
The biggest thing missing here is rhythm. How long do you play each note or chord? You have to rely on listening to the song over and over to figure out the timing, which can easily be misinterpreted.
Professional Tabs / Sheet Music
Professional tabs, often from software like Guitar Pro or official books, provide much more detail by combining tabs with standard music notation.
This format gives you everything: the tempo (135 bpm), the time signature (11/8), and the rhythmic duration of every single note. This is the most accurate way to learn a song from written music.
Frequently Asked Questions
The layout of a guitar tab is designed to be a direct visual representation of the guitar neck as you look down at it while playing. The high E string (the thinnest one) is closest to the floor, which corresponds to the top line of the tab, making it intuitive to read as you play.
A '0' on a tab line indicates that you should play that string open, meaning you play the string without pressing down on any fret with your fretting hand.
No, free tabs on sites like Ultimate-Guitar are often user-submitted and can contain errors in notes or rhythm. While they are a great starting point, for 100% accuracy, it's best to purchase official sheet music or use professional tab software like Guitar Pro, which includes rhythmic notation.
Conclusion
Guitar tabs are a fantastic tool for learning music on your own. Start by looking up your favorite songs and practice interpreting them. Listen closely to the recording to see if what you play matches what you hear. This process will train your ear and your reading skills at the same time and give you a great start to learning new music!
This Article is written by Travis Osterloh @ Osterlohguitaracademy.com. See his website for further information and inquiries!
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