Tabs provide an efficient method for learning songs with multiple chords that require more than simple chord alterations. Tabs use standard notation at the top and horizontal lines representing each string below to represent what could potentially be six strings.
Numbers represent frets you need to play each string, while arrows show whether bending notes is required. There are also symbols for muting (X) and hammer-ons (H).
Basic Layout of Tabs
Tabs work by reading them from left to right across each string, where each number corresponds to a fret on your guitar’s string. When reading tabs, read from left to right across all strings; any forward slashes () indicate you should slide from higher note to lower note on an interval scale.
You will often see vertical rows of numbers within a tab; these represent chords. By playing each chord simultaneously, it will give your sound a fuller tone.
As part of a tab, an arc indicates that you need to either Hammer-on or Pull-off your finger with one finger; some Guitar TABs will display this with H or p above. In chord symbols section you may come across an X signifying that chord should be played open without fretting hand use for rhythm purposes – usually this would be used as rhythm-based playback.
Adding Notes
Complex chords or pieces often employ extra symbols on tabs to indicate special features like grace notes (H, P and sl.), pull offs, slaps and extension notes (X).
Grace notes are played very quickly before moving onto the next note, while slaps involve striking strings with your picking hand but without picking off, producing what sounds like one, soft note. Finally, pull-offs occur when one or more fingers are pulled off a fret in order to allow lower pitches (either open strings or fretted notes with lower pitches than those being pulled-off) to ring out without picking.
An X on a string indicates that it should be muted by placing the side of the pick against it to reduce sound volume, while an S is used as a sign for striking against it with your palm of picking hand to create different tones and create a different timbre.
Reading Tabs
Tabs show where to place your fingers on the fretboard. While similar to sheet music in terms of structure, they’re much shorter as they don’t include standard notation elements like note lengths and rhythm patterns.
The numbers on the lines represent which fret to press down on each string; 0 means not playing that string at all, muted strings (X) and open strings (O). Numbers aligned vertically are chords; play all their notes at once for maximum sound quality.
Tabs may include symbols to represent techniques, such as hammer ons (h), pull offs (p), and forward slides (). While not essential, these can help enhance your understanding of a song by showing how it’s played. Because most tabs don’t provide much guidance regarding rhythm, listening carefully and following your ear can help get the beat right.
Writing Tabs
One key feature of a good guitar tab should be providing information on note lengths. This could be done either through spacing between lines, or with symbols like an “x” or “s”. Furthermore, having a time signature in the TAB could give the guitarist an understanding of its rhythmic components.
Tabs will also provide instructions for fretting the strings and when notes should be played. A number stacked vertically with another note means to play both at once — like The Rolling Stones’ opening riff “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, or Foster the People’s infectious bassline in “Pumped Up Kicks”. Other symbols can be used to indicate techniques, like hammer-ons/pul-offs/slides/bends/vibrato. Typically a chord chart will also be included so as to show where/how these techniques should be implemented.