What is Guitar Tablature?
Guitar tablature (or "tabs") is a simplified notation system designed specifically for guitar. Unlike standard music notation, tabs show you exactly where to put your fingers on the fretboard—no music theory knowledge required.
Tablature has been around since the Renaissance, originally used for lute music. Today, it's the most popular way guitarists learn songs, with millions of tabs available online for virtually every song imaginable.
By the end of this guide, you'll be able to read any guitar tab and start learning your favorite songs immediately.
The Basics: Understanding the 6 Lines
A guitar tab consists of 6 horizontal lines, each representing one of your guitar's strings:
e|------------------------| ← thinnest string (high E) B|------------------------| G|------------------------| D|------------------------| A|------------------------| E|------------------------| ← thickest string (low E)
Important: The top line is the thinnest string (high E), and the bottom line is the thickest string (low E). This mirrors what you see when looking down at your guitar while playing.
The string letters on the left (e-B-G-D-A-E) represent standard tuning. If a song uses alternate tuning, it will be noted at the beginning of the tab.
What Do the Numbers Mean?
Numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press:
- 0 = Play the string "open" (don't press any fret)
- 1, 2, 3... = Press that fret number on that string
- Numbers stacked vertically = Play all notes together (a chord)
- Numbers in sequence = Play one after another (a melody)
Example: Single Notes
e|--0--3--5--3--0---------| B|------------------------| G|------------------------| D|------------------------| A|------------------------| E|------------------------|
Read left to right: Play the high E string open, then 3rd fret, 5th fret, 3rd fret, then open again.
Example: Chord
e|--0--| B|--1--| G|--0--| D|--2--| A|--3--| E|-----|
Numbers stacked vertically mean strum all these notes together—this is a C Major chord.
Essential Tab Symbols Explained
Beyond basic fret numbers, tabs use special symbols for guitar techniques:
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| h | Hammer-on | Strike first note, tap second without picking |
| p | Pull-off | Play first note, pull finger off to sound second |
| / | Slide up | Slide finger up to higher fret |
| \ | Slide down | Slide finger down to lower fret |
| b | Bend | Push string to raise pitch |
| r | Release | Return bent string to normal pitch |
| ~ or v | Vibrato | Oscillate pitch rapidly |
| x | Muted note | Dampen string and strike for percussive sound |
| PM | Palm mute | Mute strings with picking hand palm |
| ( ) | Ghost note | Play note softly |
Symbol Examples in Context
Hammer-on: 5h7 (play 5, hammer to 7) Pull-off: 7p5 (play 7, pull off to 5) Slide up: 5/7 (play 5, slide to 7) Slide down: 7\5 (play 7, slide to 5) Bend: 7b9 (play 7, bend up to pitch of 9) Vibrato: 7~~~ (play 7 with vibrato)
Reading Rhythm in Tabs
Traditional tabs have one major limitation: they don't show rhythm. You need to know how the song sounds to play it correctly.
Here's how to handle rhythm when reading tabs:
- Listen to the song first — This is essential for timing
- Use spacing as a guide — More space between numbers often means longer notes
- Look for BPM/tempo markings — Some tabs include these at the top
- Use Guitar Pro files — These include full rhythm notation and playback
Modern tab software like Guitar Pro and Songsterr adds rhythm notation above the tab lines, showing note durations just like standard notation.
Reading Chords in Tabs
When you see numbers stacked vertically, strum all those strings together:
e|--3-----0-----2-----0--|
B|--0-----1-----3-----0--|
G|--0-----0-----2-----1--|
D|--0-----2-----0-----2--|
A|--2-----3---------2--|
E|--3-------------0--|
G C D EmThis shows a common progression: G - C - D - Em. Learn more chord patterns in our chord progressions guide.
Dashes (—) on a string mean don't play that string. An X means mute that string.
Common Tab Reading Mistakes
Avoid these beginner pitfalls:
- Confusing string order — Remember: top line = thinnest string (high E)
- Ignoring rhythm — Always listen to the song first
- Skipping unfamiliar symbols — Look up any notation you don't recognize
- Playing too fast — Master it slowly before speeding up
- Ignoring fingering suggestions — They're there for a reason
Tabs vs Standard Notation
Should you learn tabs, standard notation, or both? Here's a comparison:
Advantages of Tabs
- No music theory required to start
- Shows exact fret positions (standard notation doesn't)
- Learn in minutes, not months
- Guitar-specific—shows which position to play
Limitations of Tabs
- No standard rhythm notation (you need to know the song)
- Can't be read by other instrumentalists
- Quality varies widely (especially free tabs online)
- May not show dynamics or expression marks
Our recommendation: Start with tabs to get playing quickly. Add standard notation knowledge over time if you want to read music for other instruments or study music theory deeply.
Where to Find Reliable Tabs
Quality varies dramatically online. Here are the best sources:
- Ultimate Guitar — Largest database, user ratings help find accurate versions
- Songsterr — Includes playback, shows rhythm notation
- Official artist songbooks — Most accurate, but cost money
- Guitar Pro files — Professional quality with full notation
- YouTube tutorials — Visual learning with on-screen tabs
Pro tip: When using free tabs, check user ratings and comments. Compare multiple versions of the same song to verify accuracy.
Practice Examples
Try reading these classic beginner riffs:
1. "Smoke on the Water" — Deep Purple
e|--------------------------| B|--------------------------| G|--0--3--5--0--3--6--5-----| D|--0--3--5--0--3--6--5-----| A|--------------------------| E|--------------------------|
The most famous guitar riff in history. Play the G and D strings together for each power chord.
2. "Seven Nation Army" — The White Stripes
e|--------------------------| B|--------------------------| G|--------------------------| D|--------------------------| A|--7--7--10--7--5--3--2----| E|--------------------------|
A simple single-note melody—perfect for practicing tab reading.
3. "Come As You Are" — Nirvana
e|---------------------------| B|--0--0--1--1--2--2--1--1---| G|---------------------------| D|---------------------------| A|---------------------------| E|---------------------------|
Uses a clean tone with chorus effect. Great for practicing steady timing.
Tips for Learning Songs from Tabs
Follow this process for the best results:
- Listen to the song several times first — Know how it should sound
- Start at 50% speed — Use a slow-down app if needed
- Break it into small sections — Learn 4-8 bars at a time
- Practice each section until clean — No mistakes before moving on
- Gradually increase tempo — Add 5-10 BPM at a time
- Link sections together — Connect the pieces into the full song
Patience is key. A song that takes a week to learn will stay with you forever.
Next Steps
Now that you can read tabs, here's how to continue your journey:
- Learn essential chord progressions to recognize patterns in tabs
- Master barre chords to play any chord shape in tabs
- Study the pentatonic scale to understand solo tabs
- Explore our chord library to see chord shapes you'll encounter
Happy playing! Start with simple songs and work your way up. Every guitarist learned this way.