Guitar Tabs

Guitar tabs (short for guitar tablatures) are used widely to transcribe for all types of fretted instruments. It is a useful system used to compliment the normal notation of music. It comprises of numbers, written on six lines or four lines for bass, to indicate which string or fret the note or chord is held at. Bass tabs only have four lines.

In tablature we have the opportunity to add the values (the length of the notes), hammer ons and offs, slurs, bends, slides, vibrato, harmonics and bar lines in a measure.

The six strings on the guitar represent the six lines on which numbers are written upon.

The overall tabs diagram helps to define the fret positions and where the notes are placed.

Describing Guitar Tablatures:

E--------------------------- 1st line

B--------------------------- 2nd line

G--------------------------- 3rd line

D--------------------------- 4th line

A--------------------------- 5th line

E--------------------------- 6th line

The first line represents the first string E

The second line represents the second string. B

The third line represents the third string. G

The fourth line represents the fourth string. D

The fifth line represents the fifth string. A

The sixth line represents the sixth string. E

E 0|----------- Represents: E 1st. open string

B 0|----------- B 2nd. open string

G 0|----------- G 3rd. open string

D 0|----------- D 4th. open string

A 0|----------- A 5th. open string

E 0|----------- E 6th. open string

0 represents an open string. Reading is approached by reading from left to right of the notation.

The figure below shows the numbers written on the 1st.string E.

*The figure 1 indicates fingering the 1st. fret of the 1st. string.

*The figure 3 indicates fingering the 3rd fret of the 1st string.

*The 0 indicates an open string E.

*The figure 4 indicates fingering the 4th fret of the 1st. string.

This succession of numbers are all played on the 1st.string.

The vertical bar lines help define the tempo and beats in a measure.

E--1--3--0--4------|

B-------------------|

G-------------------|

D-------------------|

A-------------------|

E-------------------|

Guitar Tabs (chords)

A chord is written as a cluster of numbers in a vertical stack.

In this diagram all the notes are played at the same time.

To play the chord strum from the low 6th string right down to the 1st.string.

On the 1st.string we have a 0 indicating an open string E.

On the 2nd.string we have a 0 indicating an open string B.

On the 3rd string we have a 2 indicating an A note at the 2nd fret.

On the 4th string we have a 2 indicating an E note at the 2nd fret.

On the 5th string we have a 0 indicating an open string A note.

On the 6th string we have a 0 indicating an open string E note.

In this figure we have an A(add2) chord.

E--0-------------|

B--0-------------|

G--2-------------|

D--2-------------|

A--0-------------|

E--0-------------|

Easy Guitar Tabs : (arpeggios)

Here is an example of easy guitar tabs.The notes are slightly a part. We will approach this by playing each note one after the other in a rather slightly delayed manner but in one swift down beat.

Pick from the bottom 6th. string E note, down to A note,5th string, down to E note,4th string down to A note, 3rd string,down to B note 2nd string than to the E note 1st.string.Let all the notes ring.

This is the same A(add2chord) used in an arpeggio chord style and played a little faster.

E------------0-------

B----------0---------

G--------2-----------

D------2-------------

A----0---------------

E--0-----------------

If the numbers are further apart approach each note in a separate detached manner.

Most Arpeggios are approached by viewing the distance of the notes from one to the other. It does give a clue to the intended types of beats example quaver, crotchet quarter note to be used.

E------------------------------0---

B---------------------0---3--------

G--------------0-------------------

D-------2-4------------------------

A--0-------------------------------

E----------------------------------

Here we see that the distance of the 5th string A note is further from the 4th string 2nd fret E note, which is closer to the next note F#, 4th fret 4th string. Watch the distance between the other notes and you will get some clues to approach it.

In written guitar tabs solos you will notice that single notes as well as chords are normally used, but there is no indication of note lengths, tempo, speed or timing.

It is left to your discretion to check out the song, and work on the guitar tabs for the notes. Although some guitar tabs have note lengths and measures to facilitate rhythms and timings most written guitar tabs do give details of information that are required for reading guitar chord tabs. Then it is left to the discretion of the individual to work it out.

Separate Notes and Chords used in Guitar Tabs.

E----------------|---0------0--------|----0---0-------|

B----------------|---0------2--------|-2------2-------|

G----------------|---1------2--------|--------2-------|

D----------------|---2------2--------|--------2-------|

A------------0---|---2------0--------|--------0-------|

E-0--3---0-------|---0------0--------|----------------|

In the first measure, we pick on the 6th. string open E,than we go to 3rd fret G,than 6th string open E, down to 5th string open A note.

In the second measure we have two chords,the first being an E chord followed by an A chord.

In the third measure we play the C# note on the B string 2nd fret,followed by an open E note on the 1st string followed by the A chord.

Reading guitar tabs like this example is very common. We will now look at different symbols also used in Tabs.

Slides, Vibrato, Pull offs, Hammer ons.

These symbols are used together with the numbers to add more variety, style, and color to ones playing.

Commit to memory this symbols as they are frequently used in guitar tabs;

This symbol / means to slide up to a note.

" means to slide down to a note.

" v over a note means to add vibrato,This symbol ~ is also used.

" t means to tap with the right hand.

" h indicates a hammer on.

" x means to mute the strings, hit hard to get a percussive effect.

" b means to bend the string up.

" r means to release the bend.

" p means to pull off from the note.

" o means harmonics

If other types of symbols are needed example whammy bar effects or the popular scraping of the strings it will be indicated by the composer.All Tabs normally explain the details of the symbols and approach that is being employed.

To elaborate further we begin with the / symbol meaning to slide up to the note.Sometimes an (s) is used to show a slide up to the note.

We begin by playing the note at the 5th fret 1st string and sliding up to the 7th fret of the same string.

The next note begins on the 3rd fret 2nd string and slides up to the 5th fret same string.

E---5/7--------------------

B--------------3/5---------

G--------------------------

D--------------------------

A--------------------------

E--------------------------

The symbol means to slide down

Here we pick the 8th fret 3rd string and slide down to the 5th fret same string.

E-----------------------

B-----------------------

G----8-----------------

D-----------------------

A-----------------------

E-----------------------

Using Hammer ons.

E----------------------------

B----------------------------

G---------------0------------

D-------2h-3--------2h-3-----

A---0------------------------

E----------------------------

Play the 5th string open A note then play the 4th string 2nd fret E note and hammer on to the 3rd fret F note same string.Next play on the 3rd string open G note than move back to the 4th string 2nd fret E note and hammer on to the 3rd fret F note same string.

Pull offs.

E--5p-0---------------------

B---------5p-0--------------

G---------------5p-0--------

D---------------------------

A---------------------------

E---------------------------

Hit the 1st. string 5th fret and pull off to the open E note on the same string.

Approach the next note on the 2nd string 5th fret and pull off to the open B note of the same string. Next hit the 3rd string 5th fret and pull off to the open G note of the same string.

Combining the symbols learnt using: h, p, /, , vibrato

                                 v

E--5h-8p-5p-0- 3h-5/-7-5------

B------------------------------

G------------------------------

D------------------------------

A------------------------------

E------------------------------

All the above notes are played on the 1st string.

Begin by play the 1st string 5th fret A note than hammer on to the 8th fret C note. Pull off to the 5th fret and pull off again to the open E note. Hit the 3rd fret G note and hammer on to the 5th fret A note.Slide up to the 7th fret B note and slide down to the 5th fret A note and add the vibrato to it.

To get the vibrato move your finger fast up and down the string in a wavering manner.

Bends

Note bending is very popular in rock, heavy metal music and all types of guitar playing techniques. The required bend will be notated to show whether it is a half step or a whole step bend.

This diagram illustrates the bending.

Use any fingers that you feel comfortable with for string bending

E-----------------------

B-------------8b9-------

G------5b7--------------

D-----------------------

A-----------------------

E-----------------------

Hit the 3rd string at the 5th fret C note and bend up to the 7th fret D note.

This gives us a bend of a whole step C note-D note or two frets up.

We now proceed to play the 2nd string at the 8th fret G note and bend to the 9th fret G# which is a bend of a half-step G note-G# note.

String bending requires you to listen to the bend and pitch up to the required note.

Bend and Release

The bend release is one technique that many of us enjoy using. Try pitching up to a note than release it to bend downwards to the note required.

E----------------

B---3b55r3-------

G----------------

D----------------

A----------------

E----------------

Pick the 2nd string 3rd fret D note and bend up to the 5th fret E note.Hold the position and strike the bent E note again than release the bend to the D note 3rd fret.

Harmonics

Natural harmonics are easily found in all open strings on the fretboard. The symbol o is placed over a note.

Place the left hand finger lightly touching the 1st string over the 12th fret and pick the note, and it will produce an octave harmonic.

This effect can be also got at the 5th and 7th frets.

Try barre all six strings at the 12th fret, lightly touching the strings and pick the strings from the 6th string down to the 1st string and listen to the effect.

            o

E-------12-------

B----------------

G----------------

D----------------

A----------------

E----------------

Artificial Harmonics

The symbol used is a diamond which is placed over a note.

Play and hold the note G on the 1st string 3rd fret.

The right hand is held over the 15th fret at the harmonic octave.

Use the right hand index finger to lightly touch the 15th fret and pluck the string with the second or third finger.

If you use a plectrum the same approach can be used. Use the side of the thumb and plectrum and lightly hit across the strings to bring the desired effect. You can use this technique to go through the fretboard for artificial harmonics.

Writing Chords for Guitar Tabs.

It is much easier to write out the chord spellings than to laboriously tab it in.

If you only require to have chords written, approach it this way.

We begin with writing the chords or changes for the intro.

Than we put in the chords for the verses.

We give an indication of the style, feel and tempo for the chart.

As there is no melody here the chords are used to illustrate the form that is being used.

Here we have a rock type style group of changes, played in 4/4 time, heavy accents on the 2nd and 4th beats.

The form of the music is: Intro followed by verse, than verse again and back to the intro.

Play the intro.

Than play the verse.

Repeat the verse again than,go to the intro and play through the changes.

intro: G Emi F C Dsus G Am Dsus

verse: G D Emi C Ami F C Dsus

verse: G D Emi C Ami F C Dsus

intro: G Emi F C Dsus G Ami Dsus

I will now illustrate the diagrams for the required chords.

If we need to mute a string an x symbol is used on the string to indicate the mute.

G B D G B G

3 2 0 0 0 3

G

E B E G B E

0 2 2 0 0 0

Emi

F C F A C F

1 3 3 2 1 1

F

G C E G C E

3 3 2 0 1 0

C

E A E A C E

0 0 2 2 1 0

Ami

E A D G C G

x 0 0 0 1 3

Dsus

It is so much faster and easier to approach in this manner than writing out the whole chord chart. Make it as simple as possible for yourself and as you go through these guitar tabs you will get the hang of it.

Go back to the music theory lesson1 and refresh yourself with crotchets, eight notes and recognizing the beats.

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