How To Play Tabs

Tabs - a short name for tablature which has been used for centuries as a method of recording how to play a song on a stringed instrument.

The photo above shows the view of the guitar strings as seen by the player and the corresponding line of tablature.

Instead of the normal 5 lines of normal music notation, tab notation uses 6 and each one represents a string of the guitar. Numbers are written on each line showing which fret that string must be pressed against to get the note.

The only thing you have to remember about how to play tabs is that, like normal musical notation, the highest notes are are the top string / line on the tab. It is sometimes confusing since on the guitar itself, the high notes are on the string nearest the floor when you are playing yet this is know as the top string. The bass notes are furthest away from the floor yet know as the bottom string! Whoever thought all this up wasn't too logical!

Often tablature is criticized by music reading experts since it doesn't give any information on the speed of playing and the length of each note but since we usually have a recording of the original music to go by this is unimportant.

So learning how to play guitar songs using tabs is quite straightforward. Just look at the line and read the number and then put your finger on that fret on that string. If you are lucky the person who wrote the actual tab may have given extra information like which finger to use when pressing on the fret but really, after you have a little experience you can usually figure out how to play tabs yourself and just do what feels comfortable for you.

If you are interested in really becoming a better player I recommend you follow a good course on learning how to play the guitar.

Here are some examples of the countless number of chords that can be played on a guitar - provided you can stretch your fingers a bit.

Remember that the numbers do not refer to your fingers but to the frets on the guitar that you must press the string against.

It is always a little hard to start playing the guitar and the tips of your fingers are sure to get sore - but keep going. They will soon toughen up and the muscles of your hand will soon get used to the positions.

It's best to try one and once you have your fingers in the right position listen to see if all the notes are clear. Play each note and check for any buzzing sound which means your fingers aren't quite right.

Just keep changing from one chord to another. Mix them up and just keep practicing. Once your hand gets tired give it a rest. Don't push it too much as it wont help you learn any quicker. Relax. Stretch the fingers....and start again. There are plenty more to learn.

Once you start guitar it can turn into a life long pleasure. If you are serious about learning then keep practicing. Everyone, even the guitar greats, had to start at the beginning.