Reading Guitar Tablature II

Ok, so you've got a guitar, it looks great! But how do you play it?! The first thing you should know is this lesson works for both accoustic guitars and electric, but bass players are going to have to find another place. Ok, now that's cleared. Here we go.

There are two different ways of writing down or reading songs. There is the professional way, with all the fancy note symbols and there is the basic, more common way. I will be teaching you how to read the basic type. These are called Tablatures.

The basic structure for a tablature (or tab) looks like this:

E|------------------------
B|------------------------
G|------------------------
D|------------------------
A|------------------------
E|------------------------

This may have confused you. Firstly, ignore the letters on the left. You have six lines. Each one of these lines represent a string on your guitar. Ok?

The bottom line represents the top (thickest) string on your guitar. The top line represents the bottom (thinest) string on your guitar. Look at this:

Thinest     |-------------
2nd Thinest |-------------
3rd Thinest |-------------
3rd Thickest|-------------
2nd Thickest|-------------
Thickest    |-------------

Does that make sense? Now for the frets. This is the really awkward part. I will try and explain.

A fret is the area between the two (usually metal) bars on your guitar. If you were told to play the first fret on the top string then you would push down on fret 1 on the top string with your finger and pluck the string. I'm really hoping that made sense.

The first fret is the furthest away from you. There are usually 21, 22, 23 or 24 frets on a guitar. If you look, they all get thinner as they get closer to you. There are also marks telling you what fret is what. There is a dot on the third fret, the fifth fret, the seventh fret, the ninth fret, the twelve fret, the fifteenth fret, the seventeenth fret, the ninteenth fret, and the twenty first fret and maybe more. This is to help you get around your guitar quicker. Now to put frets into a tablature:

E|-----------------
B|-----------------
G|-----------------
D|-----------------
A|-----------------
E|1-2-3-4----------

What this tab is telling you to do is first, to put a finger (The Index Preferably) on the first fret on the top/thickest string. Then you pluck the string. If you are pushing hard enough onto the fret you shall find that you get a nice, deep note.

Next, you put your next finger (preferably your middle finger) onto the second fret on the top string. Now hit the string. You should get a nice, slightly higher pitched note.

Then you put your next finger (your ring finger) onto the third fret, if you are pushing down hard enough you will find that when you pluck the string you will get a slightly higher pitched note again.

Then you push your next finger (your pinky) down hard onto the top string pushing it down into the forth fret, pluck the string and you will get another, slightly higher pitched sound. If you followed this carefully you should be getting the idea. Look at this:

E|1-2-3-4----
B|-----------
G|-----------
D|-----------
A|-----------
E|-----------

On this one, you are doing the exact same as the last one but you are put your fingers on, and hitting the thinnest string. You should get a very high pitched sound. Try this:

E|----------
B|----------
G|----------
D|1-2-3-4---
A|----------
E|----------

Had a good try? If you're stuck, what you're doing is putting your fingers on the third thickest string, the third one away from you. So what about this?

E|---------
B|---------
G|---------
D|---------
A|---------
E|0-1-2-3--

A 0? What do you do with a 0? Fear not! A zero simply means you pluck that string without putting your finger on a fret. This is fret zero. Make sense? Here are two, infamous and simple riffs, try them out:

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple:
E|----------------------------
B|----------------------------
G|----------------------------
D|----------------------------
A|----------------------------
E|0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5--3-0

Ring a bell? Note that the whole song is played on the thickest/deepest pitch string.

Come As You Are by Nirvana:
E|------------------------------
B|------------------------------
G|------------------------------
D|------------------------------
A|--------0---0---------2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---

This song is played on the top two strings of your guitar. It looks hard but do it slowly at first and you'll have it in no time. These two riffs are the first things I ever learnt on guitar!

Now you know how to play basic tabs! Now the advanced bit:
What does the EADGBE stand for? You may have noticed that between nearly all the tabs I have written here there is:

E
B
G
D
A
E

On the left of it. Why is this? Each letter represents a note. If you have ever played on a keyboard or a piano before you will notice that each note is written as a letter. C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. All the EADGBE is is different notes. The thickest string on your guitar is a low E, the thinest is a high E, in between them is A, D, G and B. You don't have to remember this but if you do then you're one more step closer to being a professional. I remember it like this:

Eddy
Ate
Dynamite
Good
Bye
Eddy

It works for me! I hope it helps. Next, bends, slides, hammer ons and pull offs. Sooner or later you're going to stumble on a tab with one of these three in it. I guarantee. It will help alot if you know what they mean.

Bends:
E|--------------
B|--------------
G|--------------
D|-3b4----------
A|--------------
E|--------------

What do I do? What do I do? Fear not. Firstly, put your finger on the forth fret of D and play it. That is what you want it to sound like. Now, what you want to do is put your finger on the third fret, play the string and bend it so it makes the excact same sound as fret four. Got it? It's not that hard.

Slides:
E|------------
B|------------
G|------------
D|----7/9-----
A|------------
E|------------

This, too, is also simple. Put a finger on seven of string D, hit the string and quickly, making sure the finger is still pushing the string down onto the frets, slide your finger up to nine. If performed correctly you'll get a nice sound rising in pitch.

Hammer On:
E|-2h4-------
B|-----------
G|-----------
D|-----------
A|-----------
E|-----------

The "h" represents a hammer on, put your index finger on fret two of High E (the thinest string on the guitar) and pluck the string, quickly slam your ring finger down onto the fourth fret. It will change pitch and be a bit quieter. That's all a hammer on is.

Pull Off:
E|----------
B|----------
G|----9p7---
D|----------
A|----------
E|----------

The "p" means pull off. Put your little finger on 9 and your index finger on 7, pluck the string, and quickly slide your little finger off in a downwards motion (this keeps the string vibrating) and the pitch will change quickly from 9 to 7. I hope you understood that, it's hard to explain so please don't flame me if you don't get it.

I hope this lesson helped you alot, tablatures are the most important thing you will come across when you try and learn guitar. If you just can't understand my lesson then I suggest you go find another one, you won't get anywhere without being able to read or write your own tabs. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me: MSN/Email: [e-mail] AIM: darksouls88.

Comments

[God withus]

Nice lesson for beginners learning to read the music.

[ultimate_punk]

good

[linnylenae]

WoW! That was awesome kmow I know how to read them I was so confused for a long time! Thanks alot, now I can get the jits of how to play songs that I like!

[LindsayOAR33]

Thanks, this helped me out a lot!

[siamesedream]

There is already something like this all over the internet.

But this one makes more sense...

[pimpmasterg4988]

thx this is realy good it help me alot

[LP91]

SWEET

[WhiteKnight123]

F*** Fag its to confusiong!
Just kidding, good job i wish i had something this easy and userfriendly when i learned to read tab, thanks!

[bbblinkunit]

hey linnylenae its jist not jits an dont post stuff twice
no im kidding i dont care nice lesson man

[Froddy]

great lesson - helps a lot

[blade1968]

You rock that helps heaps.

[cynical]

i think it sucks, this doesnt teach to read music

[misstigger615]

thankz i was so comfused with the hammers ons and pull off thanky!!!

[tado]

it's so nice!!!, but i think i'tll improve me a little!!!

[bc2skaterpunk]

cynical u can go finger urself because if u had nething registered in that vacant space u call ur skull u'd realize it would help you duh. Good article I could have used it about a month ago.

[chicracer13]

thank you soooo much this helped alot

[GTR_Player]

oops...
i meant
Eat
A
Dead
Goat

Before
Easter

...he
h...

[LedZeppelinFan]

This lesson is a great one, I learnt how to preform simple things like that and now I use them everyday!

[sepultura]

thnx dude this helped me alot i now know how to play that part i was stuck on in the metallica-one tab.
thnx loads.

[Crazyhorse_99]

This i smy first guitar and the first site I explored to learn to play. All I can say is OUTSTANDING ! aside from the bend everything is crystal clear. Im glad I came to this site first, I might have gotten fustrated and quit. Suggestion, maybe add a few more simple riffs with the use of B & G strings to help with tuning. One of the guys on this site suggested that by playing a song you know will help with tuning (it did for me, the top 2 and bottom string). Thanks

[CyberGamer369]

great article

[mydirection]

that rules

[megallama]

im ***ing confused

when its like
|---3---------
|---5---------
|---5--------
|
------------ and the numbers are right next to eachother is that a chord or something else please help
im dumb

[fenderstrat80]

Yea man, when the notes are on top of each other like that it means you play them all at the same time. So that would just be a power chord on the 3rd fret.

[white rabbit]

hey that was good fer beginners i wish i had it like that when i learned tabs it makes it clearer. he he my teacher had me so confuzed n dazed lol. peace man

[megallama]

power chord???

[i_am_rocker]

basic, but very very good....!!! helped me a lot

[denmag]

Where do you start with this, and do you work up each string before going back to the 1st fret?
Thanks.
Denmag.

e|-5s6s7--7-7--7-7----|-7-7-6-5--5-5--5-5--|--
------------------|
B|-5s6s7--7-7--7-7----|-7-7-6
-5--5-5--5-5--|--------------------|
G|-5s6s7--7-
7--7-7----|-7-7-6-5--5-5--5-5--|------------------
--|
D|-4s5s6--6-6--6-6----|-6-6-5-4--4-4--4-4--|-
-------------------|
A|-5s6s7--7-7--7-7----|-7-7-
6-5--5-5--5-5--|--------------------|
E|---------
-----------|--------------------|-----------------
---|

[purerock]

good article, I think it could use more of a key of tab abreviations though. though bends, slides, pull offs and hammer-ons are a good start, what about notation for sustained note, vibrato, harmonics, and right hand fretting?

[Janky87]

this is also my first guitar and the first site i visit but this has helped heaps, i was sssoo lost b4! thanks so much!

[MaliceMizer]

this iz great!!....but, what is what will I do if there's a 7 or 9 in a tab???

[MaliceMizer]

----------9----------10----------|--7--------9----
----7-----|
--10---------10--10------10--10--|---
--9--9-----9--9-----9--|
------11----------------
---------|--------------------------|
-----------
----------------------|--------------------------|

---------------------------------|--------------
------------|
---------------------------------|-
-------------------------| that 10 and 9.... is that a fret??

[MaliceMizer]

hmmm....where will I start with this tab???

e|--------------------------------------------
------------------------
B|----------------------
-----------------------^--^-------------------
G|
-7-6-7----------7-6-7-9----------7-9-12-11-11 12 11-------------- --
D|-7-7-7---5-4-0--7-7-7-7--5-4-0--------------
------------------------
A|-5-5-5---5-5-5--5-5-5-
5--5-5-5--------------------------------------
E|
---------3-3-3-----------3-3-3--------------------
------------------ from the highest E or from the lowest e ??

[mydirection]

that lesson rocked

[damnconfused]

Great guide. Still don't know how to play guitar but this helped. :/

[cadesius]

i really did learn something!!! thanks!!! hihi.. I'm going to surprise my girlfriend!! She is just soooo lovely!! greatest girl i the world!!

[ktwsolo]

i still don't understand how to bend...can someone explain further?

[dubbadee]

Ok... to bend a note, simply play a note on your guitar and push the fretted note back or forth on the neck. The sound will get higher the farther you push. Hope it helps. Good article

[Agoraphobiac]

nice work. very helpful...

[guitardude98]

thanks. now i know what the letters in the tabs mean.

[Gumm]

I DONT EVEN HAVE A GUITAR YET AND I GET IT, THANX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!

[jesse]

Can You Give SOLO Technique pls....

[linkin07]

great site, it certainly helped me out alot! I got my guitar about 2 weeks ago, and i can do the marilyn manson - sweet dreams intro and i can do the Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple song. Btw ur right about not knowing the song but you've heard it before, i remember hearing that song a long time ago lol. Anyways this site is awesome! I'll be back everytime i practice the guitar (everyday)

[bobobski666]

i know you! =p why didnt you tell me you'd written this? you know i'm learning guitar! i already know how to read tabs but this cleared a few things up! thankee!!!

[HugBug08]

Thanx that was very helpful. I now understand tabs.

[_oNcE_LoSt_]

geee... thanks, i really really wanted to learn reading tabs... now i could start...

[_oNcE_LoSt_]

ei..i really got no idea bout tabs as i have said, and so i want to ask if tabs are only for plucking?
can we strum the guitar while following the tabs?

[XxKatXx]

Hey. Thanks you did help, as before in other lessons I was like what the hell at how they desribed to do hammer ons, bends, pull offs and slides. But I can do them all now :-D thankyou!! Luv Kat XxX

[wallablack]

Sweet bro. Can't read music very well but tabs are so the go. Too easy.

[Robo_Hobo]

Thats awesome man,I already kne how to play TAB,butknow I know how hamers work,you rule!

[Slipknot666Chic]

AWESOME!i really didnt get hot to read the tabs till now.Thanx a million.

[Slipknot666Chic]

whoops....meant how.....

[D-Bo1324]

holy fricken crap dude. that shit rocked. keep on keeping on!!!

[BHD]

Hahaha, thanks you lot, if you need anymore help just email me on [e-mail] !!!! I'LL HELP!

[lientjuh_904]

Well, let's go and try! Thank you!

[ghost]

thank-you that really helped me with my hammer ons and pull offs. cheers

[shattered_fairy]

thankxxxxx woo hoo i learnt how to read tabs sortof u help me lots does anyone know where u could get a pink electric guitar from?

[shattered_fairy]

sorta * helped*

[Tricky Nick]

whoa.. that was a pretty cool lesson.. the explainations were well written and to be honest, i thought they would suck. Keep writing lessons!

[x_kazia_x]

thanx so much for writing that! i finally understand tabs well! your explanations are really good, i was actually able to understand everthing. thank you!

[malaguena]

Thanks that helped but I still can't do a bend. And it's Not easy when you're a beginner.

[JamMetler]

Really nice work!! I have never touched a guitar, until yesterday, but this guide made it really simple for me, to learn to read tabs..! Thanks a lot!!!

[gc4life487]

hey can u guyz help me? i have the time of your life (good riddance) tab by green day and there are chords right above the tab. beneath the chords is a normal tab, i'm an idiot beginner, i know, plz help, e-mail [e-mail] or post. thx

[_mitch_67_]

thanks!that was really good,helped me a lot.but yeah, what's a "power chord"? Help!

[\m/°»DIG«°\m/]

ok ...Now explain how the more complex tabs are to be read!?!

[lynyrdchick27]

e|--7-7-7~~~~---..|
B|---..10-9--9-7---..|
G|---
..9--6--8--9--8--6--5---..|
D|---..7~~~~---..7~~~
---..6~~~---..|
A|---..7~~~---..|
E|---..|

wh
en two notes are lined up but they are not right next to each other do you play the strings in between too? please HELP!

[lynyrdchick27]

e|--7-7-7~~~~---..|
B|---..10-9--9-7---..|
G|---
..9--6--8--9--8--6--5---..|
D|---..7~~~~---..7~~~
---..6~~~---..|
A|---..7~~~---..|
E|---..|

so
rry about that

[damian_oc]

Eastern
Bunny
Gets
Drunk
After
Eastern

[damian_oc]

i dont understand what how do u not play x as a mute note in a chord

[damian_oc]

please help me there is a lot of songs which i cant play because of that

[##_Guitar-newb]

more info on letters please!

[romeonair]

Thanks so much for the lesson, i know i'm on may way to learn good guitar. God Bless

[nickvictory88]

hei dudeeee~whats up darksouls88 thanx for helping me maaaan~i learnt a lot!!!

[ian skiy]

well anyway thanks for teaching me OK so keep it up and more power to ure web ..

[freakyjenn]

That really helped. I didn't understand how to read tabs before,my boyfriend was trying to teach me which didn't really work, but now I do. Thanks

[Scout]

That was good indeed

[rasmus14]

you rock thx ..... im kind of biginer but this help me a lot...

[memphistigers]

good but i dont understand the bending part. You said to play the 4th string and i did. Then u said to play the 3rd and bend it. How in the world is it gonna souund the same as the 4th fret if its the 3rd fret? Help me out on that one. Thanx

[cjstrawbridge]

this tab iz gr8 ive showed 3 frends this lesson so they no how 2 reed it now
well dun ***..

[brittany99]

This lesson really helped me a lot. One thing I'm still having trouble with is how to play chords though.

[juggalo1171991]

This Lesson was awesome

[wildman749]

hey man thanks a lot i just started learning and your lesson really does help makes learning to play easier thanks man.

[BHD]

You guyyy..s! *blushes*
Also, I don't use that MSN address at all anymore so you might wanna add [e-mail] which is my newer addy.

[acoustic89]

Thanks for posting this lesson! It really helped me out!

[iluvashleigh]

Thanx that really helped me now i can play a lot more

[dude im 11]

dude your freaking awesome man i would be so lost if only my dad taught me!!!

[dude im 11]

i think they shoudl make a advance lesson

[baby_blue899]

I haven't even started playing the guitar, but alr i understand. keep it up!! i think you should have more lessons like this

[Tony_Iommi]

ya but what does it mean when its like:
E|-5===..---.. for example??? PM me please if you know
i found it in the UG tab for Hey You-Pink Floyd the solo thing

[rrsisneroz2407]

nice dude....that help me a lot...!!!

[Aimilian0s]

Good Job !!!

[sarkar]

wow thanx i understand it now!!

[lostandfound]

whew!..tnx

[yeller56]

Nice job I've been playing for awhile and you just taught me something!!!!111!!oneoneone

I forgot all about 3b4 or 3^4 for awhile I always thought you had to bend the 3rd string and while still holding that bend you had to slide to the 4 and release. Thank yee mate!

[sheheryar]

gr8t thanksfeels like a friend of me is teaching
do something more for beginner's beginners like me

[oOSarahOo]

wow! your lessons are great and I of all people can understand them! thanx

[skiboards75]

these are cool! Got any more one-liners that are famous songs?

[MisfitsBass138]

hm i play bass and i was thinking up takeing guitar.. even tho i know all the stuff you just said.. GOOD JOB

[logan_R]

what do i do when it looks like this (9)

[beginner_playa]

This has helped me alot as a beginner guitar playa thanx alot

[beginner_playa]

i dont understand the bends, slides, pull offs, and hammer ons can sum1 help me pleez!

[punk'madison]

shut! how will i know what fret numbah??? if that..... waaa..h...!!

[Bishamon]

How do I play multiple notes that are on the same... thingy... hehe, lemme show you... here is the Red vs Blue theme song:

E---..0---..0---..0---..0---..
A---..1--
-..1---..1---..1---..
D---..2---..2---..2---..2--
-..2---..
G---..2---..2---..2---..2---..3---..
B
-0---..0---..0---..0---..3---..
E---..0---..0---.
.0---..0---1---..

E---..0---..
A---..0---..
D
-2---..1---..1---..0---..
G-3---..2---..2---..2--
-..
B-3---..2---..2---..0---..
E---..0---..

H
ow do you play the 2 and the 0 ?
..3 ..1
..3 ..2
..2

[Zero.EXE]

Great Lesson, I was stuck with reading the more advanced techniques, such as Bends, Hammer and Pulls. Slides I figured out for myself, but the rest confused me no end! This also helps if I want to tab something too (my own stuff that is! >_o) Keep up the good work!

[Warlock_God]

Thanks it helped alot

[GhostLP]

this helped alot i just ordered my guitar and wanted to read up on some stuff real quick my friend try to teach me but he plays bass and not a good teacher

[DanteSparda]

Great lesson! helped a lot!

[Blizzardboy402]

*goes to try the riffs out*

good job!

[Level27]

Really great lesson and good explanations

[SethE]

wow, that really helped. i just started playing about a week ago and there was plenty i didnt understand. the whole bit with Hammer on's and such i didnt really get, but the rest really helped. thanks.

[bitterbanana]

yay, I finally know what h and p are. thanks

[musicfreak10789]

yeah i got my guitar for xmas and this really helped me get a good start

[Sharona]

thanks alot. i came in to this page knowing nothing about this. i read your lesson and i understood it completely. you hav been a real help. thanks again.

[ChurchPunk]

Great lesson, dude! I already knew how to read basic tabs, but I had no idea how to hammer on or slide or anything. Rock on!

[lp151]

thanks man. i understood it and it made a lot of sense. i just started and i'm quickly on my way up there. thanks again.

[Wildcatwould]

That was a great detailed explanation, thank you for posting that.

[m_anderton]

very good lesson

[squierman07]

thats cool some people need that so then they can be better guitars good job

[luda]

thanx so much

[maru89]

thanxs}!! really useful!!!

[BeautyInPVC]

its cool

[babies4lunch]

i still dont get the bend tingum
plz help me

[somamiki]

great lesson!

[daradesho]

man plz help
i didnt know how to bend
can u do something
explain in more easier way

[daradesho]

plz help
i still sont know how to bend

[The Flash Ruiz]

thanks man your explination here was great. i've gone to pro guitar sites and they made tabs sound all difficult and complicated. but this...this was simple, easy to understand, and not too long. thanks again!

[bigtuna]

thank you. this helped a lot!

[spencer16]

Nice one helped a lot

[Cye]

i syill dont get how to bend notes. i tried bending it high and low but it s till doesnt sound the same as the fret before (trying to bend fret 3 to sound like fret 4,third thickest string,), thanks for all who reply

[02datkinson]

this lesson was awsome it helped loads who ever says otherwise are just complete dicks

[white_mike_2003]

I am just beginner and have looked at a whole lot of ways to read tabs.. You have posted the best and most detailed one i have come across yet.... props...

[OddOneOut]

wow thanks. iv known how to read tab but i never knew how to do hammers, bends, and pull-offs.thanks dude^^

[mow508]

Thanks, I never could understand what the b,/,h and p standed for. You explaned it excellently.

[lizardbreth14]

Hey, This lesson helped a lot, it is so easy to understand!!

[Sirnogbert]

Although i already understood tabs a bit you helped me lern how to hammer and pull properly. Ypu can pride yourself on being the only person who has taught me anyhting

[GuitarAngelme]

This is awesome! I didnt' get my guitar yet, and I wanted to understand some of the basics before playing. Who knew I would end up on this page? COOL!

[lostn_confuzed*]

Hey! nice lesson.

[lilyaz]

yeah good job for beginners like me

[dOuble :D]

yeheeyyY... tnx for d tips!!...

[ulongbelait]

an exciting new world of music ahead, tnx

[iamgodfollower]

Very good lesson indeed!!!

[frey]

That was a great lesson, I've bookmarked it so I can read it a couple more times with a guitar handy when I get it. I'm just starting out (technically I havn't, but I'm reading up on technique and all this stuff I have to know). I finally know just what a very skilled player showed me one time, fast playing with hammers and pull offs and stuff, I was amazed and now the seed has been sowed that maybe one day I'll be able to play like that. Thank you very much. I found that other articles assumed that I would know very basic stuff that I don't, so thanks.

[hotlipz888]

thank you very much!! this helped me alot!! very good for beginners!!

[Servadac]

Thanks a lot, I had no idea how to do the hammer-ons and pull-offs, but this article cleared it all up for me! It appears it's so simple that it's hard to describe in a good way, but you did it! Great and informative.

[Cool Blink]

Cool!!!

[rancidchick_01]

that was so awsome i got my guitar like a week ago and i can play almost all of my favorite songs! although had to read your artical over and over like 3 million times and i got it hey i 'm dumb to so if i can do it everyone can!!! thankx a lot man

[kevinapelo12]

hehehe..... so thats HOW!!! dammit... i really cant figure it out! gee tnx!

[egads]

Thank you.

[egads]

Good Lesson.
Try this also.
[url]http://www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/tab-notation.txt[/url]

[brokenGUITAR]

Thanks, was very helpful.

[yoshimtsu001]

i have been confused for a long time abouth that and now i can play songs with tabs!!! that was a great lesson you should write teaching books!

[Andresc]

helped alot thanks

[adijo13]

hey man,
those notes helped me alot.....thnx alot.ne other lessons on da net of urs???

Adijo

[damn_monkey]

Great topic...I have a question tho...

What does it mean when you have a tab with chords above it, such as:
C ..D
-3-0-3--5--2--0--2--4-

[Green_Day333]

***in ace, nice 1

[James_M_Hendrix]

Really helped My rythem studend grasp on to reading and writing in TAB.
Thanks alot

[Broken-Memory]

Hey thanks a lot that helped me a lot

[NewBorn_SyD]

whats an "r" stand for in a tab? im trying to get a scorpions solo but idk wtf "r" stands for...

[hiyavicki]

ok can sum1 help, i dont know how to do bends still i need a bit more indepth info...:S PM me if u feel like helping...thanx vicki xxx

[GibsonSg12]

dude, u helped me out so much, my instructor said he was gonna teach me smoke one the water for my first song, im gonna show up and play it!

[GibsonSg12]

o and a another way to remember the strings is

Eddie Van Halen
And
David Lee Roth
Got
Booty
Every night

thats my way

[**steffie**]

:o i'm confuzzled help! how do u do this
---..5---5---5---
---..5---5---5---
---..


---..
---..
---..

[MonkeyOnDope]

this lesson just confused me more what the hell does that mean i will stick to the ard way CHORDS

[Gavin C.]

Nice Lesson!!! more like it would be appreciated

[lowrider]

hey great lesson u need to tab some "modern day zero" songs PLZ!!!..

[ilanshriki]

hey
great lession....
can you please answer , how do you know to keep the right duration of each note?

spam deleted

[deora]

I Love this site! (L)

[punk192]

yummy lesson

[xanvier]

Thank you for the lesson. I really appreciate it.

[Andie_Rose]

Hi there, the lessons were good. I learned a lot and I've got a better understanding. I still have a few questions but I am learning!

[TheVirusOfL1fe]

This lesson was really helpful this whole site is kickass

[Duke_R]

bloody excellent lesson, if only i found this site earlier

[Goop2]

that was easy... THANKS!

[dooda]

GR8 LESSON M8

[werno knoesen]

Yeah!!!..

[music-sucker]

ok...i uderstand everything in the lesson..!!
that was pretty cool,easy and fast...tnx..so much..!!

[blind_chainsaw]

this Lesson is the greatest... its gonna help my friend alot. since im such a loser on learning

[burntskin]

how bout this?
E|---..
B|---..0
G|-2--0---
D|---..
A|-
--..
E|-3--3---

what to do with the blanks in between the numbers on top of each other?

[LPfan*]

LPfan*:
stupid question...how do you know which string to strum when looking at a tab? is it the same one youre holding down?

[lemondrops]

WOW.. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! that helped me alott and you explained it quite well. Thanks again!

[RKK29573]

umm ok its good helped me out a lil bit a few months ago when I started but I teach myself so I depend on this site. So can you tell me what are triads. If you look at Welcome home sanitarium from metallica tab from this site there is a triad in the beginning and during the solo. How do you do this!?!?!?

[XaVieR101]

HeY~!~ I really appreciate this yo... I'm just starting and my friend told me to look up this site, but I looked up the tabs and I was like wtf?? DAMN NIGGER LOL(not rascists and he not black, I just like the w3rd :P)But awsome man i got everything..
good shit yo~

[alexjose]

Thanks!, that is a very good lesson and it is very helpful.

[vertical_strato]

an awesome one!!

[ramonesbaby15]

pretty good!
I've started not long ago and i played those two riffs too!

[Shaggydoo76]

GREAT INFO!!! I knew how to read tabs before but I never understood the Hammer on and pull off techniques. Great explination

[ZenRyo]

nice lesson but i still don't quite get the bend part...
thx

[Fleabass5]

What about the symbols in tab? How do u know what they mean and how to play the symbols the right way?

[mercurymay]

hey this was awesome! it really helped, cuz i didnt know what the hell to do with hammer ons and shit like that, so keep it rockin!

[iceweseal]

tnx..for your help..i really appreciate it..

[Dark_Stormcrow]

Thanks a lot for the help... I haven't even got my own guitar yet, I just borrowed one from a friend who doesn't use and doesn't need it (criminal!)I kinda knew the bend and slide part, but you made it clearer! And when it came to pull off or hammer on, I was at a total loss, so this is where your lesson came in REALLY handy! Geez, I would like to see more of your posts! I guess you could make a good teacher... So, keep on posting! There's still TONS of stuff I have to learn, since I've only been playing for like a month. Any help would be appreciated (like, for example, what does "X" on a tabulature mean?) Thanks again and you rock!!!

[Dark_Stormcrow]

By the way, those two riffs are also the first I learned!!

[Ashfin]

the best!

[babyguitar]

this lession is very useful!

[_swirky_]

Thanx so0o0 much dude that helped heaps!! i didnt understand it before, and im gettin a 'tar in two days nd i just wanted 2 understand it so thanx :P

[yannah13]

ei.., your lesson is pretty simple but i learned a lot!
thank you so much..!=)

[icefire]

wow, i actually understand it now.
thanks.

[CrazyMusician]

thanks now i know what those p's h's and stuff mean thanks a lot >)

[randolf_cog7]

thanks for the info, I think begginers, like me will be benefited.

[Zeruku]

wow, I think you're lesson is good enough for the beginners... anyone who cant understand this is a monkey=)

[ralissa]

you guys should make a lesson on how to read sheet music

[Beginner(Chris)]

Im a freakin guitar noob ,and yet i kinda understand this lesson!!! WAY TO GO!!! THX A LOT!!!! I LOVE U....(Im not gay btw...)

[Beginner(Chris)]

: D ..... i forgot to smile....

[Beginner(Chris)]

... there... thats better

[tomkeiferfan]

Hey, great lesson! This really does help a newcomer a lot! *thumbs up*

[suepel]

MORE !!!!! MORE !!!!!

[suepel]

MORE !!!!! MORE !!!!!

[suepel]

MORE !!!!! MORE !!!!!

[Br()ke/\/]

Once apon a time there was 5 stupid monkey boys, the end.

btw i eat food.

[BHD]

Damn, I check this lesson thing like, once a year. I'm quite proud. I can barely remember making this thing. Hehe, pretty awesome though, maybe I should write something else then. *thinks* Oh by the way, the addies I said you peeps could contact me on don't work anymore, I got way too many people talking to me I was like, dying. So yeah. *thinks of what he can write about now*

[14GreenDay]

[fifer]

this is a very good lesson, but i need help:
E-----10-----10---
12--\12131213/---
B---7-----7-----^^^h
p^^^-13-
G-7-----7-----


D-----
A-----
E-----

[fifer]

how do u play:
E----10-----10---1
2--\12131213/---
B---7-----7-----^^^h
p^^^-13-
G-7-----7-----7
-----

[bloodredanthem]

i have no clue how to play, i have a blue squire strat with a small but bad ass amp! :-l

[bloodredanthem]

[b]bloodredanthem[
/b] wrote:
jesus why cant i learn to play it!!!!!




i have no clue how to play, i have a blue squire strat with a small but bad ass amp! :-l

[bloodredanthem]

[b]bloodredanthem[
/b] wrote:

[b]bloodredanth
em[
/b] wrote:
jesus why cant i learn to play it!!!!!

iv been practing
but god damit!!!!


i have no clue how to play, i have a blue squire strat with a small but bad ass amp! :-l

[fifer]

use the forse bloodredanthem.

[90anhour]

Now I understand tabs.Thanks alot!

[teemu199]

Thanks alot from this, i have played pretty long but now i got it how to bend/hammer/pull

[matcheschick]

that helped me a lot thanks...I was nearly ripping my hair off from the frustration but thanks to you I dont have too...

[*Hippie*]

Thanks I've been doing pull offs wrong all the time:P
The tip about the downward motion to keep the string vibrating!

[Gothic_Vampyr]

Dude! That helped soo much! I am a n00b, only had my guitar about a month and i was getting bored of playing chords!
Thanx Alot

[Led_Zeppelin992]

good article but i don't understand pull-offs

[rustydeath]

thanks this helped me a lot the only thing i dont get that much is the pull-offs

[thecameronator]

i already know (basically) how to read tabs but i was wondering if any1 could tell me how the fuk ur suppose to play a tab that goes
--6--6--6---
-----

--8--8--8---

[thecameronator]

good article even though i already know (basically) how to read tablature but i was wondering if any 1 could tell me how the fuk im suppose to play this
-----
--6--6--6--6

-----
--8--8--8--8



-----
-----

[jeff666]

it makes everything easy

[xknifexvsxgunx]

very helpful.

[screwyourscene]

thanks so much that really helped.

[zoii_711]

helpful!

[spasgnome]

denmag:
Where do you start with this, and do you work up each string before going back to the 1st fret?
Thanks.
Denmag.

e|-5s6s7--7-7--7-7---
-|-7-7-6-5--5-5--5-5--|--

-----|
B|-5s6s7--7-7--
7-7----|-7-7-6
-5--5-5--
5-5--|-----|
G|-5s6s7--7
-
7--7-7----|-7-7-6-5--5
-5--5-5--|-----
--|
D|-
4s5s6--6-6--6-6----|-6-6-
5-4--4-4--4-4--|-
-----|

A|-5s6s7--7-7--7-7----|
-7-7-
6-5--5-5--5-5--|--
---|
E|-----
-----|----
-|-----
---|

hey ppl to read this kind of tabs!!!! firstly u copied it wrongly and caused the tabs to be messed up. so thats y u cant read it at all! lol so go to the original website and look at the original copy again!

[spasgnome]

lynyrdchick27:
e|--7-7-7
~~~~---..|
B|---..10-9--9-7---..|
G|---
..9--6--8--9--8--6--5---..|
D|---..7~~~~---..7~~~
---..6~~~---..|
A|---..7~~~---..|
E|---..|

wh
en two notes are lined up but they are not right next to each other do you play the strings in between too? please HELP!

guys lol u cant play it coz u copied it wrongly ...

[spasgnome]

as in look at the original copy.t his wld happen if u copy it to a word document

[littlesteph05]

thanx dude
this will be really helpful

[Heret_x]

great lesson, i finally got the point with all that signs on the tab! (i'm a heavy beginner and it really helped)

[Heret_x]

great lesson i finally understeand all those signes on the tab! great 4 absolute beginners

[hallow_john]

Hey I got it correctly thanks for the lesson dude!!! :

[namtetsuya]

Thanks, this helped me out a lot!
but I need a better explanation about the pull of part.
=)

[fallinsuburbia]

thanks for the hammer part. i have an idea already how to do that but somethimes my mind needs a little refresher.

[~Pulang_Buan~]

woot i know how to play ONE freakin thing *so happy*

now i just need to know that power chord thingy

any suggestions on wat i should try first. im a beginner too. T-T to ppl who wants a guitar teh Philippines is where u should go XD *pinoy pride woot*

also im trying the bend but it still wont work.

[fenux]

everything ws fine
bt i cnt understand pulloffs and bends plz help me at

cooldude_2114@yahoo
.com

[l84scool]

g8 lesson.but there's something i dun quite get.hope sumbody is free to help.do we put fingers on the frets which we feel comfortable using or is there a guide line?i know basically we use index finger for 1st fret,mid for 2nd n ring for 3rd one.but wat about those higher frets?ok for exmple,

B-----9--77\55
--7--9--9--77\55--7--9~-|


any1 mind tellng me which fingers to put on those frets?
help much appreciated

[l84scool]

actually dat tab part is in 'one' line.it's part of california by phantom planet.hope sumbody willng 2help.thx

[Nickelbitch]

thank u so much! iv been making the parts up where i didnt undr stand but now i dont hav 2! woo hoo!! thanks m8!

[noelle]

this is great!
haha only thing i still don understand how to bend still..

l84scool: hmm i don think there's a fixed. but since its e 5th 7th and 9th fret, it'll be easier to use yr first finger for 5th, middle finger for 7th and pinky for 9th or some sort. just like how u wld place for 1st 3rd and 5th fret. yep. tt's how i do it.. donno abt others.

so anw, anyone explain to me how to bend?

[Irenic Retral]

Nice job. Love it.

[sabin]

can sum1 tell me what the x's mean

[APPS]

NICE ONE IVE FINALLY GOT IT

[14GreenDay]

l84scool wrote:

g8 lesson.but there's something i dun quite get.hope sumbody is free to help.do we put fingers on the frets which we feel comfortable using or is there a guide line?i know basically we use index finger for 1st fret,mid for 2nd n ring for 3rd one.but wat about those higher frets?ok for exmple,

B-----9--77\55

--7--9--9--77\55--7--9~
-|


any1 mind tellng me which fingers to put on those frets?
help much appreciated

just use what ever finger feels comfortable

[jdickson]

thanx man this was so easy to understand
even though i dont own a guitar yet

[russel06]

u r a legend thanks a lot

[ozzy101]

Thanks,nice one now i get it. Now more practise

[the sg]

u legend awsome lesson

[DarK_AssassiN]

Thank you SO much! I can read it finally! I'm so happy :P This was an awesome lesson. Looking forward to readin more of yours.

[mfkr]

I find Pull Offs and Hammer Ons hardest to understand but yeah, that was pretty helpful.

[claptonisgod21]

hey man thanx for that one nice n easy 2 understand that helped loads cheers.

[l84scool]

sabin wrote:

can sum1 tell me what the x's mean

---x--- means that u dont ring that string.sumtimes u need 2lay a fingr on dat string weak enuf so that it wont sound.is that d 'x'that u mean?

[dogsrool78]

thx

[bhags]

wahhhhh thanks now i know HOW tO read the tabs thanks to you...now its not so confuse to me now.. thanks

[hxiss]

ive had my guitar 1 month and can play 5 songs but i didnt understand how to do hammer on, pull off, or bend and this has helped me out soooo much. Thank you, now i can play the tabs i been avoiding.

[fingersofflame]

you know, it's not that hard to read tablature...just check out the notation guide at the end of the tab, or in the back of a guitar world after all of the transcriptions...i started reading tablature right away without really..."learning" it...but nevertheless, you get points for effort because not everyone understands tabs...

[mayin]

nice.. i already knew this stuff but it was refreshing.

[The Novice]

Thanks for explaining the hammering, sliding and all that, great lesson!

[Gustavatron.]

This is an awesome lesson... I use either this one or the first one to teach GSB noobs how to play.

This doesn't have chords, so it's not perfect.
But I laughed alot, and guitar is supposed to be fun. Right? xD

[teh_kid]

that was awesome i never could play tabs b4 this ty

[Ses]

That was really great Im not a beginner but I never knew how to read tabs(only sheet music) but now I getThankyou

[yesterdayz_rain]

Good job ^.^
it's great and easy to understand

[cross101]

hey! cant understand that hammer thing.

[xxmarsxx]

i already know how to read music and it is EZ. but guitar tabs are easiser abd i can read them now!!! make way for the next female guitar great!

[xxmarsxx]

ok so i understand 1234 but waht is 5-9? reading music is probably easier. it isn't really a hard as people make it out to be.

[juju42]

whats an "x" mean?

[sing4am]

an "x" is a muted string. just rest your finger over it so it makes no sound or don't strum it all, whatevers easier

[XDressMeX]

this helped so much thanks!

[Tomolo]

This helped loads, like really a load, I fell ilke a pro already

[malynsprite]

wow!
i have looked at a million guitar tab reading things on all these difrent sights and yours actualy made sens! i am just learning how to play guitar and i didn't know what some of thoughs weirdo's where talking about until i read this!
thank you i really enjoyed it

[imanubguitarist]

-----
7-7-7-7-7
-----
5-5-5-5-5
----- can some1 tell me how yo play this?

[Valedicta]

Good lesson

[Snpr]

Ive read other articles on reading tabs but this is by far the best, easiest and most helpful I think

[KrazyLilFairy]

^ Snpr said it all .....thanks heaps.

[GemzRocks]

Thanks that really helped

[Missino]

Thanks so much mate! You are a king among men! Not only do I now undertsnad tabs but I totally recognize those examples you gave! (My friend knew them...I had no idea they were good tabs to know)

This is much appreciated! 10/10

[Shirafuzzy]

That really helped! I was soo lost...thank you!

[jade_green_chic]

thank you omg just the other day i asked in a forum how to read tabs and couldn't find it i am so glad that u have that it helps so much

[~yardweasel~]

thax alot!! that helped me soo much, before i didnt have any clue how to read tabs.

[TimEReese]

Hey thank's thought lession was great.

[mcr_freak1]

that helped alot!! thanks...but i got 1 question...how do you know if youre suppose to keep holding down the fret or not??

[kelix]

Thanks for that lesson found it really useful! Expecially the hammer ons etc. Only been learning a couple of weeks so it really helped

[Slayer23222]

Thanks Man my Bro taught me all of it but the pull offs and sometimes he made no sense

[kissmyeyes]

Thnx I've been playin for nearly 2 yrs. My guitar teacher hasn't taught me 2 read tabs so it helped alot.

[wolfie86]

GREAT LESSON! LEARNT ALOT. CANT DO THE BENDIN BIT BUT PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT RIGHT?

[LasseB]

Thanks, This Really Helped Me Understand those Tabs

LasseB

[underthrone41]

tnx man!!!!!its great!!!
^^

[jrodbrown58]

omg! this helped me out so much thanks!

[Theboyleeroy]

I'm new to the guitar, but this has helped me loads.

Goodwork Fella,

Cheers.

Leeroy

[guitar1235]

[khattana]

awesomeeeee

[angelAM89]

wow this is great i'm less confused now

[alienboy18241]

THANK U!
now when someone asks me how 2 explain reading tabs 2 them i dont have 2 try, and usually confuse them, i can just give them this

[VayneGard]

I never knew how to "pull-off" until I read this tut. Thanks alot. But I still don't know if I'm bending right. Are you suppose to bend up or down? or does it matter? Thanks Again! !

[[G]uitar]

Man I just started this earlier this week, and this is probably the most help I had.

Thanks

[guitar r0ck3r]

i belive the deep purple song goes like this:
-----
-----
-----
-0--3--5----0--3--6--5---
--
-0--3--5----0--3--6--5---
--
-----

[sphinx_Godcares09]

that was nice but i dont understand the pull offs and the bends... can u help me? Please.. =) thanks!

[alifffirdaus]

good lesson..at least to me..thanks bro..

[musickitten]

totally awesome article it helped me out a lot!

[ajb5947]

thanks!!

[jodii_coyote]

this helped a lot. but i still need help with something.

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-7-----
A|-x-----
E|-5-----


i am just wondering what the 'x' means and how you play it. so help? anyone?

[Emerven]

first of all... this lesson is great.. it really helped me a lot!!!.. second.. jodii_coyote, as much i know the x means that you are not aloved to hit that chord..

[jodii_coyote]

emerven, do you mean you're not supposed to hit the string in between?

[BadReligion666]

Was there ever a Reading Guitar Tablature 1???

[peabody_2007]

This little lesson really helped! I am just beginning to learn how to play, and I was so confused! This made it so much easier to understand! Thanks a lot!

[knaz_starter]

nice little lesson it helped me a lot(sinnce i dont know how to read tabs)hehe anyway thx!!!!!

[livingthedays]

Oh my Gosh you dont even know how long i've been trying to figure out if e is the thickest or lowest string. now i finally know that E is the thin string and e is the thick string! thank you so much for your help!

[dave0whiplash]

Gumm wrote:

I DONT EVEN HAVE A GUITAR YET AND I GET IT, THANX!!!!!
!!!!!
!!!!!

same here im gettin mine next week!!!

[guitar r0ck3r]

i mean the deep purple song goes like this
-----
-----
-----
-3-5--3-6-5
-3-5--3-6-5
-----

[fabrication]

That helped me a lot. =) But the one thing that I really don't understand is the bend. =/

[JesseH]

Thanks, this helped alot, just got my Guitar today, and feel like i learned something.

[Doc31]

really good, helped alot at the bottom with the slide and bend and whatnot

[acoustic_bhabe2]

Correct me if Im wrong? the numbers in the tablatures indicates or tells the fret your finger should be... is that right? But I can?t understand this part>>> how did the 1 get there? Ohh please help me???!!! Will you??
thanks a lot!... or email me if u want MSN: [e-mail]

Come As You Are by Nirvana:
E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0-----2-----2-

E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0--
-0-0---

[Iamafunguy]

awsome!!!

[emptypockets]

dude this lesson was awesome. I'm completely new to guitar and I can play all of this good stuff now. Just have one question. In the song 45 by shinedown, there's a part of the tab that looks something like this
E|---
B|---
G|--0
D|---
A|---
E|--2

How do you play 2 strings at the same time without hitting the strings in bewteen them? Do you just have to get really good and fast at "jumping" the pick up over the 2 you don't play and hit the other string in the same split second as the first?

[Silent_gojira]

Nice dude Nice.

[Pricetag]

I would like to ask the same question as emptypockets. What if there is 3 numbers on the same column, what do you do? Also, how do you know when to strum the guitar? Or is everything u taught is just single notes? Thanks

[Gib-Gib-son-son]

I've been playin gtr for about a year I no how to read tab already but this can realy help beginers well done dude.

[Nelsonsakura]

Pls allow me to ask a silly question. I found some guitar tabluture use symbol "x" as a fret. And there got a chord above every bar. What should I do with the symbol "x" and the chords above each bar? Should I play the "x" as open string?

[walockguitarist]

what do you do if you see this
-----
-----
-----
-x-x-x----
-x-x-x----
-x-x-x----

[angel from hell]

it is nice but only the last part was dificult ( srr if my english is bad but i'm butch
for al the dutch people E:een
A:aap
D:die
G:geen
B:banaan
e:eet

[angel from hell]

emptypokets is simple you just hit the 2 strings with
2 difrent fingers

[glassxangel]

this was one mint lesson, thnx for your help dude! i got my guitar yesterday and i completely understood the lesson. keep on writing 'em!!

[music-lover12]

this helped me sooooo much i didnt have a clue on how to do tab be for thankyooooo!!

[jerricajaneen]

This is the only article i've read that actually explains what a hammer on is! Thanks!

[SubSonicSlayer]

You did come as you are theres only one opened low e then then 1 2 you added one extra open on the begining.Actually listen to the song first.

[ilmusicx3]

Thanks so much.
I thought i would not be able to play a real song.
at first i didn't get it.
but know i do.

[rck]

THANKS man ive searched the hole internet for this

[kingjiyoon]

nice

[Metallica9189]

This really helped, i really appreciate it. The only thing i didn't really understand was the "pull off" , i understand it's hard to explain and i appreciate all the help i understand ALOT more than i use to. Thanks again, Matt and if anyone would like to assist me on the "pull off" please im me on aim - Metallica141514 or Msn - [e-mail] or yahoo - Metallica_4_life16 =)

[bloodLiner]

Yay thanks You helped me alot!

[milla da killa]

actaully, smoke on the water is wrong.

SMOKE ON THE WATER
e-----
a-----
d-0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5
-3-0--
g-0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5
-3-0--
b-----
E-----


...but anyways, good lesson.

[bogmead]

This is good, but what does "x" mean.

[adio_98]

ight i use to play bass but i went to guitar to try it out i know how to play like regular stuff like let me see
Intro.
e-----
B---0---0---0---0--1-1---
--0---0---0---0--1-1-----
0---0---0---0-1-1-
G-2---2---2---2-----2---2
---2---2-----2---2---2---
2-----
D-----
A-----
E-----

e-----
B-----0---0-----0-----0--
---
G-///7----7----\\5---\\4----- x6
D-----
A-----
E-----
but how do u play power tabs like this
Chorus
e-----
B-----
G----- x2
D-77777/1010101010101010\55555\33
333-----
A-77777/1010101010101010\55555\33
333-----
E-55555/8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-\33333\11
111-----

[adio_98]

just look up the song coma white by marilyn manson to see that right

[crimsonfrets]

That's great, really.

[St Anger06]

yea v helpful. what bout struming patterns in songs where u dont pluck. mail me

[alba_9]

GREAT you've helped me understand tabs n im sure ill be a much better guitarist for it but im with everyone else...what bout the strumming please post nother lesson on tab strumming

[Greg Harper]

You should be learning to read music first. Tab is shit.

[CatEyez]

Good Lesson!! But how do u actually read a mixed up tab????? with alota' numberz on alota' stringz, i mean, where do u even begin? I've had my guitarz since god knowz when, n'i love'em soo much, but whenever I even "try" to play anythin, I get soo frustrated that i just unplug the damn thing n'yell "F***IT"!!
PLZZ HELP!

[CatEyez]

I got it! but how do u play tabz where alota' numberz are on each sting????? where do u start??? MY GOD! THIS IZ SOOO CONFUZIND!!!

[CatEyez]

really helpful info, but what do u do when u get a tab filled with numberz on each sting? where do u start exactly ?? I'm really confuzed If anyone can help me, plzz add me @[e-mail] I'd be EXTREMELY THANKFUL ! :x:x:x

[-blaze-]

Right.. thanks. was kinda trying to figure out what pulling off was about so thanks..

[timmtam]

Hey great help thnx, neway dis is random bt du u reckn i shud stay on acoustic guitar at my colleg ive been doing it for a year but i thought i might go to electric next year, wt du u fink .. Acoustic or Electric???

CHecked.

[metica]

go electrick man! unless you do hipie music,then it dont rely mater!

[Brooks3]

Great Help Thanks=]

[151_skater]

awesome dude this REAllY helps thanks!!

[bluemoon05]

wow very very helpful I knew how to read tabs but not the P's and the H's and so on.

Thanks alot

[marktarga]

hello folk ive got my first electric guitar and have just bn trying to learn the chords and when i tried this as soon as i placed my finger on the top string for smoke on the water it just stopped working and gave a quiet flat note what am i doin wrong??

[timo1]

i was taught from lessons so its easy for me and i picked it up easily but when i did first lay my eyes on tabs i was thinking wtf.(so wat if i have lessons ur probably better of with lessons from a pro and im sure not all of u can say ur a pro guitarist .im only 12 so dont criticise me) i think some intermediates should get lessons as well

[timo1]

dunno i think u mute it im just guessing so dont blame me

adio_98 wrote:

ight i use to play bass but i went to guitar to try it out i know how to play like regular stuff like let me see
Intro.
e-----
B---0---0---0---0--1-1---

--0---0---0---0--1-1-----

0---0---0---0-1-1-
G-2---2---2---2-----2---2

---2---2-----2---2---2---

2-----
D-----
A-----
E-----

e-----
B-----0---0-----0-----0--

---
G-///7----7----\\5---\\4----- x6
D-----
A-----
E-----
but how do u play power tabs like this
Chorus
e-----
B-----
G----- x2
D-77777/1010101010101010\55555\33

333-----
A-77777/1010101010101010\55555\33

333-----
E-55555/8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-\33333\11

111-----

[†[Posessed]†]

Awsome, thnx a lot!... this realy helps. I was gettin so confused over certain things on tabs but this guide realy clears it all up

[Davin.]

That really help me out, thanx

[xmyfinalsinx]

yeah this helps alot thanks to who posted it

[rickie_g]

dude u dont no how much this helps thanx alot if i ever git newere in the music industy ill b thankin u on every 1 of my gigs thanx again dude

[ZaM ZaM RoCkeRz]

A good arcticle for beginners... Should be an excellent one if include media, e.g picyures and videos.. \m/ RoCk On \m/

[teh_asian]

i don't even have a guitar yet and i already know how to read tabs ... wow, i'm sure you're a great person.

[hikarustar]

i get lessons from a lot of people but they all so sound confusing... thanks a lot and keep on writing!

[deathmatch90]

here is another way to remember the guitar strings
easter
Bunny
Gets
Drunk
At
Easter
well thought it might help out keep rocking

[-Funkeh-Music-]

this is great im been trying to find out what some of those thinkgs mean for ages =]
thnksss

[tjthib2009]

dude thanks a lot this really helped me learn my first two songs also
i just started last night and i can now play 45 Smoke on the Water and Scotty Doesnt Know

[metalfishy]

bottom to top
eat
a
damn
good
breakfast
everyday

[Worthy]

Wow..not that it so much easier than all the other sites I went to to try and figure this out. I friend says I should try tabs instead or learning how to play all the damn cords on the guitar. Thanks a lot

[Leroy_13]

Very helpful, great work man ! Thanks a lot !

[patterminator]

Thanks a lot i've been trying to learn how to read that for like 3 weeks

[FRANKtheTANK91]

very helpful lesson i thought i was going to have to read music for the rest of my life

[FRANKtheTANK91]

i only started three weeks ago

Checked...Québec Style

[Free2Live]

how do you play songs like i miss you in Drop D Tuning where it goes like
e-----
B-----
G---9/--13--13--14-
D---9/--14--14--13-
A---9/--13--13--13-
E-----

Like I can understand it, i think, but how do you play a 13th and 14th fret?

Please Help

[headspin]

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E|1-2-3-4-----

so does this mean:
put a finger on string E fret 1 pluck the string take the finger off
then put another finger on sting E fret 2 and pluck take it off then do the same for fret 3 and 4??

or does it mean put each finger on string E on the fret it says and then strum all strings??

sorry I'm dumb!!...thanks!!

[mongeux]

I just started tab lessons, and learned more here in 10 min of reading than my teach showed me in 1/2 hour... KUDOS

[SkyNerd]

What does * mean? when shown under the bottom E?

[ecolitsky]

nice! c",)

[FinMayhem]

Cool lesson for beginners.

[jamoboy]

Yeh this really did help but i still dont understand what hammer means. But i now understand the rest

[kite288]

Thank you you really helped me out a lot. I was confused about a lot of stuff but now that I read this it all makes sense. Thanks again

[petey gunnz]

man thanks alot man this really helped a newb like me

[Daniel Pearce]

petey gunnz wrote:

man thanks alot man this really helped a newb like me

Same.

[ira07]

why there is a number 6 or 7 ???

[PunkRocPrincess]

duuudeeeee! I finally get it thanks A TON!!

[zombie4688]

quick question.....
so anytime the tabs are vertical, you play them all together at once right?

[gamejokerr]

i dont know how to do the D|-3b4-----|
=(

[gamejokerr]

What does Drop D Tuning mean ?

[iagannath]

great lesson, but how do you read something like this?:
|---9^7---|

[MegaSuperman19]

This helps a lot, but one question, what does it mean when there is a 5,6,7,8?

[ceekes]

thanks alot for this leeson

[snowyguitar]

Thats a cool lesson mate!. Thanks a lot. Its jus been a few hours since I have started playing!.

[Angel_of_D34th]

thaks a lot! i have few problems but there are only few of them...i added you e mail. i will ask if i need some help.

[ash lw]

nice help lol thanx a lot c da ppl who say dis is crap info well its not it is good an they dont wanna mess wit me

MegaSuperman19 wrote:

This helps a lot, but one question, what does it mean when there is a 5,6,7,8?

It's the fret you play.

[tomauer]

Thanks a heap, awesome stuff mate.. I know it already, but nothin beats revision... I wish i had this when i was learning the basics

sweet stuff

cheers

[exocel]

very good man, this will really help me learn faster

[Tw0gun[z]up]

Very, Very nice. helped me a whole dang lot.

[skitta]

it was good,its me hard to read tabs and texts couse im finnish,but this helped a lot,ty

[rexreeper99]

wow. and i thought i knew how to red these things. im glad i learned something new! thz alot

[blacktriph]

you help me sooooo much!!! i'm planning to buy a guitar this coming May... but i think i'm gonna buy a guitar this coming April 20... hehe,,, tnx to you.. i've learned to read a tab!..

[ultimaxx0]

Good Looks!!! Yous helped me a lot but wat does the x mean like x/x or x or 10 12
x x thats all i need to kno

i think

[leeder_77]

this was alot of help thanks!

[Demonicsiblings]

thanks this really helped me and my bro out alot

[Beagle7]

what do x's in tabs mean please tell me and i'm sure at least a few other people are wondering

[CrAZy ClOWN69]

wow this seriously helped me alot

[brettoxx]

wow very nice article thanks bro

[pandeamonium]

wow thanx that has helped me loads! But im confused with this:
e|-----|
B|--~~--|
G|-----|
D|-----|
A|-----|
E|-----|
What does it mean???

[pandeamonium]

sorry that came out wrong see if it works now...
e|-----|
B|--~~--|
G|-----|
D|-----|
A|-----|
E|-----|

[pandeamonium]

CRAP

[pandeamonium]

ok what does this mean?
----

[pandeamonium]

Oh technology sux!!!

[lolitaa]

e|0-0-0-0--0000-|-0-0-0-0
--0000-|-0-0-0-0--0000-|-
0-0-0-0--0000-|
B|1-1-1-1--1111-|-1-1-1-1
--1111-|-1-1-1-1--1111-|-
0-0-0-0--0000-|
G|2-2-2-2--2222-|-2-2-2-2
--2222-|-0-0-0-0--0000-|-
0-0-0-0--0000-|
D|3-3-3-3--3333-|-3-3-3-3
--3333-|-2-2-2-2--2222-|-
0-0-0-0--0000-|
A|0-0-0-0--0000-|-0-0-0-0
--0000-|-3-3-3-3--3333-|-
2-2-2-2--2222-|
E|x-x-x-x--xxxx-|-x-x-x-x
--xxxx-|-x-x-x-x--xxxx-|-
x-x-x-x--xxxx-|x6

thanks didnt get it at 1st but took a 2nd look at the tabs and now i caught on, however i still have a question does ne one know what the x6 means at the end of this sequence? does it mean i play it 6 times??
email me or something [e-mail] thnx for the help

[daball]

lolitaa
if there is a x6 after the tab it does mean repeat six times.. and remember those x's mean mute the string..
d

[mcr_rawkz]

thankyou this helped me alot

[VoRzCeNt]

Can someone tell me what that means:

|-----|
|--o----|
|-----|
|-----|
|--o----|
|-----|

Don't say it means play an open A and B unless you're positive it does. I see this in tabs, and it isn't really heard in the songs. Notice I put the letter "o" not the number "0". This is how it appears in tabs..

[rocknrollreject]

thanks for teaching me nothing and your tabs are wrong

[The Great Satan]

the nirvana song "come as you are"doesnt sound right.add more help to that.sounds like you have to do it pretty fast so sound right

[The Great Satan]

"to sound right"

sorry im drunk

the rest of the lesson is decent.better than most i have seen

[Nassar1500]

this helped me out so much.....thanks

[BlakeJoseph]

that eddy ate dynamite goodbye eddy is catchy but easter bunny gets down at easter owns

[guitarAce372]

Let's all take a moment to remember Eddy. Please bow your heads.

[fila_93]

Thank you, this helped me out

[SIX1989]

This helps soo much, thanks big time!!

[Shreddin gurl]

This is such an awesome lesson! It helped me a bunch! I understand so much better!

[nicolechang]

wow this helped me out big time! thanks.

[Sime14]

I'VE STUFFED AROUND FOR YEARS ON GUITAR AND LERN TO PLAY BOOKS NEVER EXPLAINED IT SO SIMPLY.
THANKS, NOW I CAN READ TABS!!!!!

[Amakiresu]

This is soooo good.
I just got one question:
How do you know what finger to use to press on the note? :\

[sophiee323]

e|-----|
B|--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--12-12-12-12--10-10-1 0-10--|
G|---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x --x--|
D|---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x- -x--|
A|--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-1 0--|
E|-----|

would i play both 10s at once im confused
help

[rachy2992]

you really explained it well. thanks a lot. now i can actually read the tabs.

[KirkStinE]

sexc man... sex bomb.... it was great... i am a complete noob and when i played the deep purple song "smoke on the water" i really felt that i had learnt something... cheers man.. great job..

[Filter]

Excellent job on this lesson, extremely well put and easy to learn. This is what helped me understand tablature. Well done darksouls88!

[Gryphon999]

poor eddy...

[ZeppMuffins]

Wow, thanks. Great job on this.

[LadyFace]

Thank you so much. My sister explained tab but I was still a little confused. Now I get it!

[ermangelo]

Thanks a lot man that helped a lot, but I have a question. Do those tecniques that are explained at the end of the lesson work with a classical guitar? I would be glad if someone can answer my question.

Cheers

[beanieheartsme]

wow! you're really good at teaching. this article is the easiest one i've read! thxxx! i hope you write some more! :>

[TalithaK]

you are such an easy to understand teacher!! My cousin who has been playing guitar for probably 2 years longer than I have was not able to teach me tabs! (I am self taught and have been playing since last Sept.)

[mcr_27]

e|-----|
B|-----|
G|-----66\44/6--77\66/7--99-77-6---| 4x
D|-77\66/7--66\44/6--77\66/7--99-77-6---|
A|-77\66/7--4 4\22/4--55\44/5--77-55-4---|
E|-55\44/5-----|

please help me to read dis tab..please do it like the upper part..2morow i will check dis site to find the amswer to my request..thank you!

[mcr_27]

e|-----|
B|-----|
G|-----66\44/6--77\66/7--99-77-6---| 4x
D|-77\66/7--66\44/6--77\66/7--99-77-6---|
A|-77\66/7--4 4\22/4--55\44/5--77-55-4---|
E|-55\44/5-----|

[sam Timmer]

.....GREAT MAN !!!!!

[thlopez]

i still dont get it!!

[Ibanezen]

yeah

[NotEnufTalent]

You said "put your little finger on 9 and your index finger on 7.
Pull Off:
E|-----
B|-----
G|----9p7---
D|-----
A|-----
E|-- ---
Isn't the illustration backwards? Or am I IQ impaired? I'm brand new to guitar plus I'm over 50 so my brain isn't what it used to be. If I'm mistaken, someone please explain.

[fiegs]

hey thanks for the lesson...can someone message me chords? in tab form...cuz i need to learn my chords(notes) and i dont know them

[neoexistence]

hehehee .. i dunt think i need to tell u how good that lesson was ... guess u kno by now !!

thank u !!!!!

seriously .. i dunno wher id still be stuck up if it wasnt for that !!

keep posting lessons !!

[Manzar_07]

gud work man...helped alot...

[Sch1sM]

@notenuftalent:
no it's not backwards. you just finger the 9th, pick the string, the let go of the 9 and have your index or middle finger on the 7th. the 7 should come through without you having to pick it, and that's what a pull-off is :]

[Guitarest Tony]

Thx SO much this helped a lot because i wanted to learn some of the songs I like and wasn't able to read the Tabs.... Now i can =D

Thank U!!!

[mr-sammyboy]

this is great i think it well help me a lot

[daviox]

this post has helped me so much lol half an hour r ago i couldnt play th e guitar!

[zedman]

Iv never know wat half of them ment thank you.

[RealRockRoyalty]

I GET IT NOW!!! thank you soo much ive been wondering how to read for AGES now i know! thanks again so much!!!

[Mastorcore]

what do I do if I see this?
E-2h3p2
B-----
G-----
D-----
A-----
E-- ---

[K. m.s]

cool thanks that will help me read some of the music i got

[RealRockRoyalty]

yay! that helped a lot! im still like .5 percent unsure of something, but I DONT CARE!! thanks a LOT dude this was really good!

[feather999]

awesome man this has helped me loads thx

[Lethal Pleasure]

Thank you. this is been quite a helpfull lesson, but i feel it could have gone into more detail.

[GTR_Masta23]

Thanks man this really helped on me for God of Thunder by Kiss. I didn't know what a pull off or a hammer on was and now i do! So THANKS AGAIN!

[dean-fazz]

i've got a question , if its in brackets what do you do???

[Lefty Rock]

Thanks for the help, I'm going to get started playing tabs now

[dropdead]

I perfer to remember standard tuning as
Eat All Dead Gophers Before Easter
Yep, my Psychology prof taught me that one.

[dropdead]

Um honestly though, how does one 'not know' how to read a tab. It shocks me how many guitarists waaaaay more experienced than me can't hack it. Isn't it self-explainitory? It's just like chronological order. You read a book from left to right, top to bottom don't you? agh, nevermind.

[Dental Boy]

it's funny how a guitar tab website made all about tabs, has a lesson on how to read one. i guess in a way that makes sense. but who in their right mind doesnt know how to read a tab. wheewww. sad days ahead for you guys.

[kalinka]

Hi there,
I am very new to guitar and was looking in internet for days for suitable explanation of the basics. I got a lot of things but still can not really understand how to play things like that:
E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0----- 2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---

My question is where do you start? Do you start on the E and play everything there and then move to A? Or how is it exactly?
Will be very thankful if someone tells me. Thanks a lot.

[GinRummy]

thanks bro ^-^

ill be shredding in no time :p

[gitster]

hey! wow. great stuff.

[Tyseah]

Thank you very much ! I've bought a guitar last year but decided to learn how to play it just a few weeks ago and this tutorial really helped me, so again, thanks !

But there is something I don't understand. It happens very often with the tabs I'm trying to read. Let's take an example : http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/n/nizlopi/jcb_song_ver4_ tab.htm

This tab deals with the D (xx0232) chord, but the fact is when I read the tab, it's written like this :
(D)
e|-----2---5--2-----|
b|-----5-----5-|
g|---2----- 2---|
d|-0-----|
a|-----|
E|-----|

No 3 ! Do I have to follow the tab and put my finger on the fifth fret or do I have to do it with the third fret ? I don't know if what i am talking about is understandable but I hope it is xD

So please help me ! (You can throw me tomatoes, potatoes or whatever you want but help me !)

[HazardHammer]

imanubguitarist wrote:

-----
7-7-7-7-7
-----
5-5-5-5-5
----- can some1 tell me how yo play this?

sophiee323 wrote:

e|-----|
B|--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--12-12-12-1 2--10-10-1 0-10--|
G|---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x --x--|
D|---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x--x---x--x--x- -x--|
A|--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-10--10-10-10-1 0--|
E|-----|

would i play both 10s at once im confused
help

Same problem 4 both of u? You just silence the strings in between with ur upper finger. Or use finger picking

[jackmarrin]

Every
Adult
Dog
Growls
Barks
Eats

I like the Eddy one though :P

[fender-fretter*]

thanks this helped me alot

[jamessims]

by the way to the person that wrote the string order wrong it doesn't go EADGBE it goes from highest to lowest which is EGBDAE thats help for future tabbing hammer-ons are basically hitting the after plucking a string and then pull-offs are whilst taking your finger off the string you pull down the string to let the note ring, doing this continually is called trilling for those who don't know what trilling means

[mrpotter]

poor eddie...that was great. I was taught like this:
easter bunny gets drunk after easter. smallest to largest. but yeh i really like eddie.

[marycarmen]

hello you know when its like this

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0---- -2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---

do you play the whole E row first and then the whole A row ?

im confused?

[Guitarist_93]

What if you have something like this:

e--10-----10-----
b--13^(15)~--13^(15)-
g-----
d -----
a-----
e-----

or somthing like this:
e--[10]12r10---
b-----
g-----
d-----
a-----
e--- --

PLEASE HELP!!!!

[kez_hunter]

hi i have a question um like when it says H what is that lol its not the same song tho its a song from tokio hotel and its annoying cuz im a beginner and idk what H is lol and for that matter whats x2 lol sorry to be a bother! idk how this site works and i bet theres a forum for these type of questions so sorry

[Lizzli]

wihoo now i can finally play something else than regular chords

[franZka]

thanks

[SIeepy]

hmm nice work!! the bends still kind of confuse me though :/

[gdayguy36]

thanks for the help bro

[UrbanDistortion]

Thx man, good stuff.

[newby101]

wow i just got my first guitar ever for christmas and already i know something THANKS ALOT MAAN!!

[CobainPunk]

idk if its just my guitar but the come as you are tab doesnt sound ANYTHING like come as you are when I play it

Smoke on the water sounds great for me tho

thx for the kick ass lessons =] now all us cheap fools dont have to pay $25 per hour xD

[LadyVengance]

thanks this was a great help =]

[DarkFlare]

Great article.

I have a bass, and this article isn't for bass guitars, but it helped me out still. Very nice. I just recently got a guitar, and of everything I read, this is one of two things that taught me the most about guitars.

Thanks!

[Ibanezdude522]

thats not how you play smoke on the water

[Ibanezdude522]

Mastorcore wrote:

what do I do if I see this?
E-2h3p2
B-----
G-----
D-----
A-----
E-- ---

you pick the 2nd fret, than hammer on (h) (which is hitting the string hard enough where you dont need to strum), than pulling off that finger as a way to strum the 3rd note. so its

2 hammer on 3 pulloff to 2

[Ibanezdude522]

marycarmen wrote:

hello you know when its like this

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0---- -2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---

do you play the whole E row first and then the whole A row ?

im confused?

No, you play everythin in the row of stings at the same time, like if you had:

e--3---
b--3---
g--0---
d--0---
a--2---
E--3---


you would play them all at the same time, (making a G chord) so you just strum accross those strings.

if you had:

e-----3-----2-----
b-----3-----3-----3-----3-----3- ----3--
g-----2-----2----2-----2-----
d--0-----
a-----3-- ---2-----
E-----3-----

you would play the strings in this order: d b g e b e b g a g b a g b E g b. so your read them in order from left to right. Thats More Than A Feeling by Boston anyway

[Ibanezdude522]

Ibanezdude522 wrote:

marycarmen wrote:

hello you know when its like this

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0---- -2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---

do you play the whole E row first and then the whole A row ?

im confused?


No, you play everythin in the row of stings at the same time, like if you had:

e--3---
b--3---
g--0---
d--0---
a--2---
E--3---


you would play them all at the same time, (making a G chord) so you just strum accross those strings.

if you had:

e-----3-----2-----
b-----3-----3-----3-----3-----3- ----3--
g-----2-----2----2-----2-----
d--0-----
a-----3-- ---2-----
E-----3-----

you would play the strings in this order: d b g e b e b g a g b a g b E g b. so your read them in order from left to right. Thats More Than A Feeling by Boston anyway

sorry the second example came out wrong

[hello182]

THANKS
now i understands 5 stars !!!

[agi777]

thanks a lot dude.

[NewfieShotgun]

Awsome lesson... EXTREAMLY helpful!! Thank you so much

[Voltron4386]

great lesson!

[goomba1288]

Thank you so much!!! It helped a lot...and it wasn't that complicated either!

[ecowarrior]

you dont have to make us out to be that stupid you kno...
or then again, maybe you do.
yay for you.

[ecowarrior]

"forth fret" you say!
i thought this was gona b a really really long article.. turns out its just the many souls youve saved.
Good man you.

[ecowarrior]

OH CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN 'BENDING'... just as nicely as this man did? in all simple language and all?
uhum.. and also... im new here.. so could you perhaps leave me a message or sumthin wen u do? 2 tell me 2 check here?

[Lodemai_Poison]

I got a bit confused by the bending too but the rest of the article was really good, thanks for the help

[DXman0110]

wow awsome im completly new at this so this helped alot and btw hammer ons and pull offs are very quiet on zccustic guitars right?

[Neer]

I still dont understand the chord tabs. need help

[stead10]

hey, just sent my friend a link to this page shes just learning guitar and i thought this was rly good, couldnt have wrote this better myself, this wud have been usefull when i started learning about a year ago lol.

[Neer]

Guitarist_93 wrote:

or somthing like this:
e--[10]12r10---
b-----
g-----
d-----
a-----
e--- --

PLEASE HELP!!!!

I have the same problem, what does that r mean?

[jonno12345]

thanks. its been a big help. i just got my guitar 2day so im trying to soak it all the info in. thanks again

[pizzaking]

Awsome lesson. Im on my second day and this was a huge help.

[teenagegitarist]

u lost me at the part after smoke on the water...

[skinny g]

nice won keep at it dude

[Arnold.yozz]

great...

[vaughan528]

i'm new at this and i was wondering if anyone could explain how to play the part where the 0&5 are not next to each other.

like 0&7 or 0&8 i understand that but when there is spaces between them im lost.

-0-----7--8----7h8/5--7--5p3/2-----
-----0--0-----0-----5 ----5-----5-
-----0-----5-----
-----
-----0-----
-0-----

i know if numb

[rulerofrock]

Whoo! Thanks so much. I bought a guitar today and your guide has got me going on the right track thanks!

[Wh4mmy]

Nice guide, helped me heaps.
Thanks!!

[marco mamdouh]

thnxxxxx

[Paradox(fsx)]

Thanks for the help.

[TylerP92]

This Made It Well Easy To Understand, Cheers =)

[edwinzanpaku]

what do you do when it got a line like this -----
do you have to pick the string or not?
and another question,if it have like this-----9-4--
do we make a power chord or just pull a string.

[FloW220]

WoW that helped alot,,,, thanx for the lesson,,,
that was easier then ii thort it would be...
thanx

[biga29]

Ok, so you've got a guitar, it looks great! But how do you play it?! The first thing you should know is this lesson works for both accoustic guitars and electric, but bass players are going to have to find another place. Ok, now that's cleared. Here we go.

There are two different ways of writing down or reading songs. There is the professional way, with all the fancy note symbols and there is the basic, more common way. I will be teaching you how to read the basic type. These are called Tablatures.

The basic structure for a tablature (or tab) looks like this:

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E|---- -


This may have confused you. Firstly, ignore the letters on the left. You have six lines. Each one of these lines represent a string on your guitar. Ok?

The bottom line represents the top (thickest) string on your guitar. The top line represents the bottom (thinest) string on your guitar. Look at this:

Thinest |-----
2nd Thinest |-----
3rd Thinest |-----
3rd Thickest|-----
2nd Thickest|-----
Thickest |-----


Does that make sense? Now for the frets. This is the really awkward part. I will try and explain.

A fret is the area between the two (usually metal) bars on your guitar. If you were told to play the first fret on the top string then you would push down on fret 1 on the top string with your finger and pluck the string. I'm really hoping that made sense.

The first fret is the furthest away from you. There are usually 21, 22, 23 or 24 frets on a guitar. If you look, they all get thinner as they get closer to you. There are also marks telling you what fret is what. There is a dot on the third fret, the fifth fret, the seventh fret, the ninth fret, the twelve fret, the fifteenth fret, the seventeenth fret, the ninteenth fret, and the twenty first fret and maybe more. This is to help you get around your guitar quicker. Now to put frets into a tablature:

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E |1-2-3-4-----


What this tab is telling you to do is first, to put a finger (The Index Preferably) on the first fret on the top/thickest string. Then you pluck the string. If you are pushing hard enough onto the fret you shall find that you get a nice, deep note.

Next, you put your next finger (preferably your middle finger) onto the second fret on the top string. Now hit the string. You should get a nice, slightly higher pitched note.

Then you put your next finger (your ring finger) onto the third fret, if you are pushing down hard enough you will find that when you pluck the string you will get a slightly higher pitched note again.

Then you push your next finger (your pinky) down hard onto the top string pushing it down into the forth fret, pluck the string and you will get another, slightly higher pitched sound. If you followed this carefully you should be getting the idea. Look at this:

E|1-2-3-4----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E|-----


On this one, you are doing the exact same as the last one but you are put your fingers on, and hitting the thinnest string. You should get a very high pitched sound. Try this:

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|1-2-3-4---
A|-----
E |-----


Had a good try? If you're stuck, what you're doing is putting your fingers on the third thickest string, the third one away from you. So what about this?

E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E|0-1- 2-3--


A 0? What do you do with a 0? Fear not! A zero simply means you pluck that string without putting your finger on a fret. This is fret zero. Make sense? Here are two, infamous and simple riffs, try them out:

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple:
E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----
E|0-3- 5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5--3-0


Ring a bell? Note that the whole song is played on the thickest/deepest pitch string.

Come As You Are by Nirvana:
E|-----
B|-----
G|-----
D|-----
A|-----0---0-- ---2-----2-
E|0-0-1-2---2---2-2-1-0---0-0---


This song is played on the top two strings of your guitar. It looks hard but do it slowly at first and you'll have it in no time. These two riffs are the first things I ever learnt on guitar!

Now you know how to play basic tabs! Now the advanced bit:
What does the EADGBE stand for? You may have noticed that between nearly all the tabs I have written here there is:

E
B
G
D
A
E


On the left of it. Why is this? Each letter represents a note. If you have ever played on a keyboard or a piano before you will notice that each note is written as a letter. C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. All the EADGBE is is different notes. The thickest string on your guitar is a low E, the thinest is a high E, in between them is A, D, G and B. You don't have to remember this but if you do then you're one more step closer to being a professional. I remember it like this:

Eddy
Ate
Dynamite
Good
Bye
Eddy


It works for me! I hope it helps. Next, bends, slides, hammer ons and pull offs. Sooner or later you're going to stumble on a tab with one of these three in it. I guarantee. It will help alot if you know what they mean.

[biga29]

is THAT PLAGERSIM /\
|
|
|

[kamjam7]

Does ANYBODY know what the Q's E's and S's on top on the notes of some tabs stand for? I'm not sure if it's any thing important, and i cant find it in any lessons

[paul1991]

I have been playing guitar for a short while and inderstand the tab
but I don't understand what the brackets mean like
12-13-(14)-
or
22b(24)
how do u play this ?

[paul1991]

I have been playing guitar for a short while and inderstand the tab
but I don't understand what the brackets mean like
12-13-(14)-
or 22b(24)
how do u play this ?
someone plz help

[zooz211]

Gr8 lsn just 1 question does this work for classic guitars ?? (I'm a beginer).

[westberry]

tabs are for all sorts of guitars, and all sorts of music. Just look on this site or others for songs you would like to play and they will probably be listed as chords or tabs.

[basket_gurl]

hi. great teaching for beginners

[guitar-dan]

thx... it really help me on "h"

[Cantstop367]

I have on quick question.. What would I do if on a tab it says /7? where would I start this slide from?

[spooney444]

hey mate
thx that was exactly what i was looking for

[spooney444]

/7 means u just slide from the top of the neck to the 7th fret (pretty quick)

[kon_arc]

God withus wrote:

Nice lesson for beginners learning to read the music.

[kon_arc]

amazin' hope u might wanna explain a bit more on pull ons some time later

[rolling-stones9]

wow i learned tabs in 5 minutes omg

[meemay]

i didn't know that learning tab is this easy and simple.. 5 minutes and i already understand how is it done... incredible.. thanks.. its a big help for beginners like me buddy... xie xie^^

[SpiderJ]

thanks for the lesson. It's a good start for me. Seeing as I'm just starting.

[samuelb07]

Your amazing! I have been trying to learn tablature for years! Helpful for 10 yr olds (me).

[jonathanryan]

I didnt understand pull offs some one please help me!!!!!

[vultureofcultur]

wow
lol this made me feel a little less of a dummy.....
im not gonna lie a little part of me got ridiculously proud just cuz i could play something as simple as 'come as you are'
xD
anyway AWESOME lesson!

[sdrawkcab44]

hey thanks for the lesson! now i dont have to avoid tabs anymore...lol. but i do have one question: what do u mean by "bend" the string? when you play the 3rd fret then bend the string to make it sound like the 4th fret? huh?

[iiTsFOLLOx3]

you're a freaking GENIUS.
my friends would always tease me because i could read notes and not tabs,
and even a dumbass like me understood the whole thing after reading everything oncee.
thanks

[iiTsFOLLOx3]

just one question,though,
for the muted "x"'s on a tab,
how should i play those?
string lightly?
or press down on the fret softly?
thanks,
i really love you for this!
~jami

[N!C0]

thx this really cleared some ?'s i had

[pinoyjoy]

omg! this was so helpful thanks

[KoTT]

Ok. I hope you guys can help me out here. I understand the lesson, but after a little bit of playing Im stuck on parts that go like this :
|D|-2-2-4-2--2--5--2-4-2--2--4--2-4-2--2--3--2-4-2--2-|
|A|-0-0-2-0--0--3--0-2-0--0--2--0-2-0--0--1--0-2-0--0-|
(th is one is Right Now by Korn)
so, what I try to do is strum both strings at once (I can play either string individually no problem) with those frets. but it always comes out sounding demented and not what Id expect it to be, and just sounds all around bad. how do you guys play something like that? Is there some kinda way to hold the pick/strum? a hint plz?

pinoyjoy wrote:

omg! this was so helpful thanks

[Tension]

4 Years ago I came across this page, I would of been 11-12 Years old.

This page got me into guitar and I can not thank you enough for it. I have now bene playing 4 years and can play Vai, Satch etc...

Thank you so so much

[Jacko82]

Thanks so much, this really helped me and was so easy to understand! Still got a way to go but practising makes perfect :o)

[HippoIzzy]

God, I'm happy you did this! It helped me God damn much to understand those tricky tabs! Thank you so much!

[gloomkitty003]

Man! thanx so much for this! i hav been so confused until i saw this!

[jake mister]

this is like the best lesson ever!

[interlude107]

I love u

[SlipKnotFreak66]

A good lesson! It really helped me. i only had my guitar for 2 days and i can play a couple songs. Thanks!!!

[newguitarperson]

i am confused i play chords pretty much i don't play the actual tablature but i am learning how to play it i don't remember excatly what the numbers were but it went something like this
E|-4-3-0--
B|-4-4-0--
G|-0-4-0--
D|-2-0-x--
A|-4-0-x--
E|-0-2-2- -
It went something like that HOW DO I DO THAt? do i play all at the same time i am beyond confused

[CANADIAN PIG]

Thanks, this really helped!

[bobalooII]

I read your article and understand the basics of reading tabs, but the first thing I ran into when reading a tab was this line:
"Intro- II: F I C :II F I % I"
What the h@!! does that mean?

[Capper308]

E = Every
B = Bad
G = Girl
D = Desires
A = Anal
E = Ecstasy

[sidgo46]

E-----|-----|-----|-----|
B-----|-----|----8-----|-----|
G -----8-8-8-8-----|-----7-7-----7--|----8-8-8-8-----|-----7-7 -----7-|
D-----|-----6-----|-----|-----6----|
A-----|----8 -----8----|-----|---8-----8--|
E--8-----8-8-----|-6-----6-- ---|--8-----8-8-----|-6-----6-----|

how should i play this??

[ShowStopper102]

Excellent! Thank you very much. I'm learning now, and this is a very good guide.

[nodrox26]

gr8 stuff mate...

[Punk_Rocker2308]

this is really great! and very very helpful!! ^__^ even for a lefty i found this pretty easy to understand!

[priestmaiden31]

I have been studying guitar for 1 month and this has cleared a few things up.

[mIdGeT_101]

that was really helpful!! I've been having a tough time trying to read tabs and it's quite frustrating that i can't even play a note 'cause i can't understand a single thing!
but thanks man!!

[KayOss_08]

sorry but what do the numbers mean? like if there is a 9 on G above a 7 on D on the same fret, does it mean you hit both seven times and then continue to hit the G twice more? other than that it was very helpful.....

[fender456]

kistofiloxin is great!!!

[Bhuggy]

I don't get the part about Bending the note

[slitan]

Bhuggy :
I don't get the part about Bending the note

ya just bend the string before, while or after u strum

[gretl]

So helpful....Thankyou!

[dyelon]

i know now

[rosscraigbirch]

someone end my misery and tell me what these means please!
|---/9----|
and
|---22///\\/\/\---|
|---21///\\/ \/\---|
also
|---5\---|
|---5\---|
|---3\---|
i know what a slide is but i cant get my head round this.what am i slidin to and from!!!!

[kliebe]

thanks for posting this, it really helped.

could you answer a quick question though?
what do you do when there are 2 notes in the same column, but they've got a bunch of strings between them with no zeros between--how do you play them both??

i.e.
-----12--
10-----
-----
-----
9-----
-- ---10--

[retka]

I have to say this is perfect tutorial. Simple and easy to understand for the beginning guitarist. I remember when I first began playing, I was confused at how to read tabs, and now I wish I had something this udnerstandable to learn from back then!

[kiba92]

How about when the string's letters r like this?
E-----
B-----
G-----
D-----
A-----
D-----
Do u just play the strings like normal?

[madman587587]

thanks bro, helped heaps XD

[firebuddy]

can someone please explain how to play the notes that are not on one of the strings??? the '4 1 4' that is at the bottom of this tab:

B:-2-----2-----2-----
F#:-3-----3-----3-----
D:-2-----2-----
A:-0-----x-----x-----
E:-----4-4----2-2----4--
B:-----
4 1 4

[firebuddy]

can someone please explain how to play the notes that are not on one of the strings??? the '1 1 1' that is at the bottom of this tab:
B:-----3--
F#:-2-2-2--0--
D:-2-2-2--0--
A:-2-2-2--0--
E:-0-0-0--2--
B:-----3--
1 1 1

thanks

[Hippysunshine]

This is VERY helpful.
Will be sure to try this when I get home from work.

[mikey215]

:O dude i love you lol ive been struggling with tabs for like 2 weeks n you cleared it up perfectly for me thank you so much

[Tycrane]

best lesson ever dude!

[Tycrane]

dude,could u put up a lesson on chords like how to get c etc.i don't quite get what the others are teaching.it'd be great if u did.

[nrt4]

Thank you soo much I finally understand TABS now and learned a kick ass intro

[dorn_nate]

lol Instead of Eddy Ate Dynamite Good Bye Eddy I like to tell people Easter Bunnies Go Dancing After Easter

[ratedrsupersta]

That was the best tutorial I have seen so far. Very detailed and easy to understand for a noob.

Thanks you are awesome!!

[mattoy]

When its all in a line like 1-2-3-4 i understand, but when its like this

e--0---0--0----3--3-----0-----3--3-----0-----3--3--- -|
b--0---0--0----0--0--0----0--0-----0--0---0-----0--0---- -0--0--0-|
g--x---x--x-----0--0-----0--0-----0---0-----0--0 -----0--0-|
d--2---2--2-----0--0-----0--0-----0---0-----0-- 0-----0--0-|
a--2---2--2-----2----0-----0---2----0-----|
e --0---0--0--3----3-----0----0--3-----3-----0----0--3-----3-- --|

I don't understand. (Sorry, I can't get the g string to fit on one line). This is from Nirvana about a girl. I assume this is strumming, not picking, but x means don't hit that string - how can you miss a middle string?! 0 means don't fret the sting right? Is this a different kind of tab? Doh....

[mattoy]

The last post - for some reason the tab copied all out of sync, but i think those in the know will understand what I'm getting at... Thanks

[Poet Of Tragedy]

Hey Dude,

I found your reading guitar tabs post and found it very helpfull thanx i do appreciate it! There is just one thing that confuses me!

If you read your notes or want to tune your guitar, do you go from the the top string (the thickest) EBGDAE or do you go from the thinest string up EBGDAE? Like example: does (B) be the string right below the thickest string or must (B) be right above the finest string??

Your help would be MUCH appreciated
Thanx in advance

[saputo28]

thx!

[Rhyme Poet]

It was great! Thank you for this. IT HElped me alot.

[renee1]

i totally agree with everyone.... u r awesome!! you made my life so much easier....now i just want to try every tab out there!!! thank you so much!!! we LOVE what you are doing so keep it coming =).....
-lisa

[yutsi]

its a pretty good guide for basics, but it doesn't cover stuff like harmonics, ghost notes, unison bends, etc.

[jlynn]

Wow, this is soooo simple & detailed, it totally helped me (since I'm learning alone & have absolutely no guidance whatsoever) gain some reassurance cuz sometimes the answer is just that simple, but there are times I start to think about it too much & question whether I'm doing something totally wrong or if it's really that easy LOL.

Thanks

[lilhcboy10]

thanks dude this helped me out a lot!!

[slickdude]

What does '& ' mean on Tabs? Example:
3 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 1 & 2
E----9--10-----9-----
B-10-----12--10-----
G-----11----
D-----
A-----
E-----
Thanks-Slickdude

[IbanezMaster789]

Very good lesson

[VoidedSquirrel]

This is fantastic. Keep up these kinds of lessons....please!

[osmar30]

Best lesson ever!

[CKYIbanezParker]

hahaha who needs a lesson to read tabs, I mean, How much simpler could it get? I knew what tabs were before I played guitar. When I got a guitar I started playing all kinds of tabs. And Im not bragging just making a statement.

[jwidmer]

mattoy wrote:

When its all in a line like 1-2-3-4 i understand, but when its like this

e--0---0--0----3--3-----0-----3--3-----0-----3--3--- -|
b--0---0--0----0--0--0----0--0-----0--0---0-----0--0---- -0--0--0-|
g--x---x--x-----0--0-----0--0-----0---0-----0--0 -----0--0-|
d--2---2--2-----0--0-----0--0-----0---0-----0-- 0-----0--0-|
a--2---2--2-----2----0-----0---2----0-----|
e --0---0--0--3----3-----0----0--3-----3-----0----0--3-----3-- --|

I don't understand. (Sorry, I can't get the g string to fit on one line). This is from Nirvana about a girl. I assume this is strumming, not picking, but x means don't hit that string - how can you miss a middle string?! 0 means don't fret the sting right? Is this a different kind of tab? Doh....

x means that it is muted
to mute just put your finger on that string and press down slightly but make sure it does not make a musical noise

[cyberx24]

NICE TOPIC...
probably if i'd just make a lesson easier than this topic, it will be the number 1...hehehe!!!!
i got the logic now, easy topics get more viewers.
PEACE!!!! HAHAHIHIHAHAHO!