Guitar tab, also known as guitar tablature, is a simple way for guitarists to learn to play chords, melodies, and songs. If you write original music, it’s also a great way to communicate your musical ideas to other musicians.
The Numbers Represent the Guitar Frets
The frets are the thin metal bars embedded into the guitar’s fretboard. Numbers represent frets. The first fret begins at the nut—or the first metal bar.
The Lines Represent the Guitar Strings
The six lines represent the six strings of the guitar. It’s like looking at your guitar upside down. The bottom line represents the lowest, thickest string, while the top line represents the highest, thinnest string.
Play Your First Guitar Riff on Guitar Tab
You read the guitar tab from left to right as you read a book. In this example, the first note you will play is on the second fret of the A-string. The guitar tab (the bottom line) is paired with standard notation (the top bar) in the following example.
That’s because the guitar tab doesn’t communicate rhythmic information. For that reason, most professional guitar tabs include standard notation so that guitarists can play the right notes with the right rhythms.
Dive into Guitar Tab with Our Complete Series Sample Video
Discover the ins and outs of reading the guitar tab in our Complete Series! This sample video from the Rock Dojo Complete Series online course showcases me, your expert teacher, guiding your child through understanding and reading guitar tabs. By exploring this vital aspect of guitar playing, your child will gain essential skills for interpreting and performing songs. The Complete Series encompasses all five of Rock Dojo’s online courses, ensuring your child builds a strong foundation in guitar proficiency. Elevate their musical journey – invest in the Complete Series today!
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Brian Parham
Brian Parham founded and created the Rock Dojo, an award-winning guitar program for kids. He’s also the author of three guitar method books for kids, the 2018 Teacher of the Year by Lessons.com, the 2018 Rising Star of Oregon by the Small Business Administration, and an award-winning artist. He’s pursuing a Guitar Professional Advanced Certification from Berklee College of Music. When he’s not rocking the guitar, Brian enjoys reading comic books, binge-watching Cobra Kai, and spending time with his wife.
