How to read tabs

To show you what I'm talking about.. here's an example:

Tab, short for tablature, is a musical notation method for guitar and bass. It is an alternative to the standard musical notation.

Tabs are operationally based, indicating where and when a finger should be depressed to generate a note, so pitch is denoted implicitly rather than explicitly.

It it not explicitly defined how a tab should look like, but I will describe some common features.

Strings

The horizontal lines represent the (standard) 6 strings of a guitar: EADGBe. The used tuning is often given.

Time

Horizontally, the time is represented. Vertical lines seperate different bars. Often de speed/ is not explicitly given.

Note

The number represent the fret position on that particular string. Note that it is not explicitly given what finger to use.

Chord hints

These indications help the reader how to interpret the tab on or around that position.

Special characters

Special characters indicate some specific 'guitar trick'. Common special characters:

• h hammer on
• p pull off
• 10/12 slide from fret 10 to fret 12
• 7b9 or 7^9 bend from fret 7 to the note of fret 9, often an 'r' indicate a release: 7b9r7
• ~ vibrato

See other lessons for descriptions of those guitar tricks.