Tabs...how do you read them?

[Fretboard]

Hello,

I have been trying to figure out how to read tabs but so far I haven't been able to. I'm hoping someone on here can help me out.

Thanks,

Fred

[sliding tom]

Basically pretty easy: the six lines represent the six strings of your guitar - lowest line is lowest string with e1 on top. The numbers on the lines represent the frets where the respective string is fingered.

[paulygates]

Most tab you buy (not the stuff you download for free) will have a legend page which will tell you what all the symbols mean. Tab is quite a useful tool but it does have its limits. There is no rhythm notated but its usually on the standard notation stave above. Usually with tab it doesn't matter too much as you already know how the song sounds.
Internet tab is often flawed so beware. I often find mistakes but that challenges me to find the correct way. Its a good way of getting started on working out a song.
I once found a tab af Green Day's album American Idiot and everything was transcribed in flat keys (Ab, Eb etc). Did it not occurr to the bedroom tabber to tune down a semitone (half step or fret)?

[siore]

Originally Posted by paulygates

Most tab you buy (not the stuff you download for free) will have a legend page which will tell you what all the symbols mean. Tab is quite a useful tool but it does have its limits. There is no rhythm notated but its usually on the standard notation stave above. Usually with tab it doesn't matter too much as you already know how the song sounds.
Internet tab is often flawed so beware. I often find mistakes but that challenges me to find the correct way. Its a good way of getting started on working out a song.
I once found a tab af Green Day's album American Idiot and everything was transcribed in flat keys (Ab, Eb etc). Did it not occurr to the bedroom tabber to tune down a semitone (half step or fret)?

+1

Ever had another guitarist tell you that you're playing wrong for a certain song? Then he goes on saying, "see here, the tab says....."

[paulygates]

Hell yeah! Internet tab is not gospel but it can be a useful tool. It can make you think about how it sounds wrong and how to correct it.

[Fretboard]

Alright thanks guys, one more question...actually two what how do you know where to place your fingers and how do you know where to start from playing and where to end.

[calibud]

Originally Posted by Guitarguy93

Alright thanks guys, one more question...actually two what how do you know where to place your fingers and how do you know where to start from playing and where to end.

the number indicates the fret.

most tabs do not include every note from begginning to end, they are usually just implications that you should "know"

[paulygates]

You should recognise this as an E chord.

I--0---
I--0---
I--1---
I--2---
I--2---
I--0---

Tab tells you where to put your fingers - which fret on which string. It does not tell you which fingers to use. You will have to work out which fingers are easiest.

Um...read tab from left to right then top to bottom - like text.

I sense you are new to guitar so I would recommend lessons. Hope this helps.

[sliding tom]

Here's some help:


How To Read Guitar Tab

[Fretboard]

Okay I under stand now...but when its not just chords how do you know what strings to pick?

[scott 351 wins]

when it comes to tabs i generally try to look for anything that Wolf Marshall transcribes. he is pretty darn accurate.

[hibernative]

Originally Posted by Guitarguy93

Okay I under stand now...but when its not just chords how do you know what strings to pick?

you keep asking questions we've answered ;P

you only pick the strings with numbers. open strings that are played are marked with a 0 (zero).

[(future)GibsonRocker]

Originally Posted by hibernative

you keep asking questions we've answered ;P

you only pick the strings with numbers. open strings that are played are marked with a 0 (zero).

Also, if the string is marked with an x then its either muted with your fretting hand,(however you want) or skipped. Just don't let it ring out in anyway (fretted or open)

A couple legend type things for ya. Although some net tabs include this, and most bought ones do, this is for almost all internet tabs i've seen.

Ok.

2/4 or 2s4 - second fret slide to 4

4\2 or 4s2 - 4th fret slide to 2nd

2b3 - 2nd fret bent up to 3rd

2b3r2 - 2nd bent to 3rd, then released back to 2nd

b3r2 - 2nd fret prebent (bent before picking) to 3rd, then released to 2nd

2h4 - 2nd fret hammer on to 4th

4p2 - 4th fret pull off to 2nd

3~~ - 3rd fret vibrato

t12p8p5 - tap 12th fret, pull off to 8th, pull off to 5th.



So, heres an example of a little bluesy lick.


e-----------------------------------------------------------------------
B-----------------------------------------------------------------------
G---6s12-12h14-14b15r14-14p12------------12--------------------------
D--------------------------------------14---------------14-12~--------
A-----------------------------------------------------------------------
E-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I find this to sound kind of cool, considering its only 4 notes

[(future)GibsonRocker]

Damn, that turned out poorly lol the last 6 notes are all piled up I'll edit it.

[guitar_randy]

serenity now