What Are Guitar Tabs?

You will notice right away that there are six horizontal lines in a tab. They represent the six strings on your guitar. Starting from the top of the box, the first line represents your high E string (the smallest one). The line on the very bottom of your tab represents your low E string (the widest one).

This might sound crazy at first. The “top” string on your paper actually corresponds to the string closest to the floor when you are holding your guitar. Put some numbers on these lines however, and you have everything you need to play. Instead of mentally translating “oh that note is a G on the guitar” to “where is G on my neck?” The tab is telling you directly which string to play.

Each number on the line corresponds to a fret on that string. When you see a “0” it means to play the string open. The number “5” means to place your finger just behind the fifth fret wire on that string. 

With tablature, you’re not worried about what pitch the note is — you just need to know where it is located on your fretboard.

How To Read Guitar Tabs, Step-by-Step

Ready to get your hands dirty? Follow along with these steps to start playing. Make sure your guitar is tuned to standard tuning, E-A-D-G-B-E, before getting started. Unless otherwise noted, most tabs are written with the presumption that your guitar is tuned normally.

Step 1 | Know Your Strings 

Place your guitar in your lap or hold it like you would normally play. Look at your tab again. The line on the bottom should represent your sixth string. The line on the top should represent your first string.

Step 2 | Read Left To Right

Tablature is read left to right. If you see numbers stacked on top of each other, that means you play those strings simultaneously (ie, a chord). If the numbers are staggered left to right, you play them separately.

Step 3 | Place Your Hands

Look at the first number on the left. If you see a “3” on the second line down (which is your A string), put your finger on the third fret of the A string. Now pick that string — and only that string.

Step 4 | Listen to Learn

Because tabs don’t represent rhythm very well, it’s important to reference the song as you play. This is the biggest shortcut to playing anything correctly. Seek out guitar solo lessons that provide audio examples along with the notation.

Common Symbols In Guitar Tabs

Reading the numbers is only part of the battle. If you want to add soul and expression to the music you’re playing, you need to learn the special symbols. Without these, your guitar playing will sound very mechanical and lifeless. Let’s examine some of the most common notations you will see and how they modify the notes around them.

• / or sl — You can recognize Slides by a slash through the numbers, either forward / or backward \. Written as 5/7 you would strike the string at the fifth fret and slide up to the seventh without plucking again.
• h or p (hammer-on or pull-off) — “H” is for hammer and “P” is for pull. You can notate these by placing either letter between two numbers. Reading 5h7 means you pluck the string while fretting the fifth fret, then hammer your finger all the way down onto the seventh fret to sound the note.
• b or ^ (bend) — Arguably the coolest symbol in guitar solo tabs. A bend is shown by a lowercase “b” or sometimes an upward arrow. When you see 7b9 it’s telling you to fret the note on the seventh fret, but then push your string up until it sounds like the ninth fret. This technique is what makes guitar gods weep with envy. 
• v (vibrato): This notation is shown by a V or a wavy line. It means to quickly rock your string back and forth while the note is ringing. This adds both sustain and vibe to the note.

How To Start Using Tabs

Now that you know how the information is laid out, the best way to learn is to start applying it. 

Start with a simple melody you already know, and try to learn it using tablature. Something as simple as “Happy Birthday” works perfectly! By forcing yourself to read the tab, rather than playing what you hear, your brain can focus solely on the physical movement.

As you grow in confidence, try to learn songs you don’t already know. The best method is to break the song into small chunks. Never try to learn a 4-minute song in one sitting — just focus on the first 4 bars. Repeat them over and over, until you can play those four bars without looking at the tab. Once you can do that, move on to the next section.

Gradually increase the difficulty until you are playing along to guitar tab solos. A great way to find beginner-friendly solos is by searching for tabs that say “playing in one position” or “first position.”

The majority of beginner songs only require you to play within the first five frets. Adding this to your daily practice will yield better results than doing one longer session per week. You don’t need to spend hours each day — fifteen minutes will do the trick.

Some Common Beginner Mistakes

The biggest mistake new tab players make is reading the strings incorrectly. You might want to play your tabs upside down, because you think the top line of the tab should represent the “top” string. It’s easier to remember that low on the page = low sound.

Another mistake is not paying attention to spacing. Tabs are very easy to read, which can make you more likely to race through the song. Musical timing is every bit as important as playing the right notes. Without proper timing, the song won’t sound anything like the original.

Finally, try not to become dependent on your tab. Tabs are a fantastic learning tool, but they’re not perfect. If you find an easier way to play a certain solo or melody, go with your gut. Professional guitar players will often alter tabs to suit their playing style and finger size.

Easy Guitar Tab Solos To Play Online

The key is to find guitar tab solos that sound hard, but aren’t physically challenging to play. Look for tabs that utilize a lot of open strings. Notes that aren’t fretted are easier to play and usually sound more psychedelic. Solo pieces that are written in the first position are also ideal for beginners. A majority of your beginner series songs will use the open strings and first position.

If you know how to play tabs, hitting up the internet for some of those classic rock anthems is the best way to improve. Intro guitar solos are great for beginners because they’re normally slow and melodious. You can learn slides, chords, and practice your sweet, sweet bends without having to worry about shredding.

Searching online for guitar lessons will also expose you to a ton of different tab classes. Nobody wants to learn how to play songs they hate: When you find something interesting, you’ll practice more. It’s that simple.

Shed Hint | The Thumb Trick

When bending in tab try supporting the finger you are bending with your other fingers. If you are bending your ring finger, put your index and middle finger on the same string behind it. This gives you more leverage to bend further.

Call On the Shred Shed | Your Partner In Musical Mastery

Learning how to read guitar tabs is only one piece of the puzzle. If you want to go from a weekend warrior to bona fide shredder you need someone in your corner. With The Shred Shed, the students come first. We want to help you break through the walls that have been holding you back.

Perhaps you are getting stuck in the “beginner box” and can’t seem to break out. Or maybe you’re ready to clean up your transitions at high speeds. Whatever your guitar goals are, we have a curriculum that can cater to your needs. 

Most online guitar lessons give you small snippets of information. We strive to connect those dots for you. Our online guitar lessons take the music you want to learn and makes it fit your lifestyle. We don’t want you to waste any more time browsing the web for random videos. Let us become your virtual guitar teacher and guide you every step of the way. Explore The Shred Shed today!