Learning to read guitar tablature (tabs) and chord charts is essential for any guitarist who wants to play songs, communicate with other musicians, or expand their musical repertoire. Unlike traditional sheet music, guitar tabs and chord charts are specifically designed for guitarists and provide an intuitive way to understand where to place your fingers on the fretboard.
Guitar tablature represents the six strings of your guitar as six horizontal lines, with the bottom line representing the low E string (6th string) and the top line representing the high E string (1st string). Numbers on these lines indicate which fret to press on that particular string. A "0" means to play the string open (unfretted), while higher numbers indicate the corresponding fret number.
e|---3---0---2---| (High E string - 1st string) B|---1---1---3---| (B string - 2nd string) G|---0---2---2---| (G string - 3rd string) D|---2---2---0---| (D string - 4th string) A|---3---0-------| (A string - 5th string) E|---------------| (Low E string - 6th string)
This simple notation system allows you to quickly see which strings to play and where to place your fingers. Reading from left to right shows the sequence of notes to play, making it much easier than traditional music notation for many guitarists to understand and follow along with songs.
While basic tablature shows you where to place your fingers, more detailed tabs include timing information to help you understand the rhythm. Spacing between numbers often indicates timing, with closer numbers representing faster notes and wider spacing indicating longer notes or pauses. Some tabs use additional symbols like dashes or vertical lines to show beat divisions more clearly.
Advanced tablature may include rhythm notation above the tab lines, using standard musical note values like quarter notes, eighth notes, and sixteenth notes. This combination of fret positions and rhythm notation provides complete information about both where and when to play each note, giving you everything needed to accurately reproduce a song.
Guitar tablature uses various symbols to represent different playing techniques. A hammer-on is shown with an "h" between two numbers (like 2h4), indicating you should strike the first fret and then hammer your finger down on the second fret without picking again. A pull-off uses "p" (like 4p2) and means you pull your finger off the higher fret to sound the lower note.
Bends are represented with "b" followed by the target note (like 7b9), slides use "/" for sliding up or "\" for sliding down, and vibrato is shown with wavy lines or "~" symbols. Palm muting might be indicated with "PM" or dots under the notes, while harmonics can be shown with diamond shapes or "<>" brackets around the fret numbers.
Chord charts provide a visual representation of where to place your fingers to form specific chords. The most common format shows a grid representing the guitar fretboard, with vertical lines representing strings and horizontal lines representing frets. Dots on the grid show where to place your fingers, often with numbers indicating which finger to use.
The chart typically shows the first few frets of the guitar, with the nut (the zero fret) at the top. Strings are usually labeled at the bottom (E A D G B E from left to right), and an "X" above a string means don't play that string, while an "O" means play it open. Numbers in circles show which finger to use: 1 for index, 2 for middle, 3 for ring, and 4 for pinky.
Barre chords require special notation in chord charts since they involve pressing multiple strings with one finger. These are often shown with a thick horizontal line or arc connecting the strings that should be barred, along with the fret number where the barre should be placed. The finger number (usually 1) is indicated at the beginning or end of the barre line.
When chord charts show positions higher up the neck, they include a fret number indicator to show you're not starting from the first fret. For example, "5fr" means the chart starts at the 5th fret. Some advanced charts also include additional notation for techniques like partial barre chords, where you only barre some of the strings rather than all six.
Song charts combine chord symbols with timing information to show you the harmonic progression of a song. These charts use standard chord symbols (like C, Am, F, G7) arranged in measures or bars, often with slash marks indicating how many beats each chord should be played. Roman numerals are sometimes used to indicate the harmonic function of chords within a key.
Lead sheets are simplified song charts that show just the melody line, lyrics, and chord symbols, allowing musicians to interpret the arrangement based on the style and their own musical knowledge. This format is common in jazz and popular music, providing a framework while allowing for creative interpretation and improvisation.
Start by familiarizing yourself with basic chord shapes and common tab symbols before attempting complex pieces. Practice reading simple tabs and chord progressions slowly, focusing on accuracy rather than speed. Use online resources or apps that can play tabs back to you so you can hear how they should sound while following along visually.
Keep your guitar properly tuned when practicing from tabs and charts, as even small tuning discrepancies will make the music sound wrong despite correct finger placement. Consider using a metronome when practicing from charts to develop steady timing and rhythm skills that will serve you well in all musical situations.
Numerous websites and applications provide interactive tablature and chord charts that can help you learn more effectively. Many of these resources include audio playback, allowing you to hear the music while following along with the notation. Some advanced software even provides features like tempo adjustment, looping sections for practice, and the ability to isolate specific instruments or tracks.
When using online tabs, be aware that quality can vary significantly. Look for tabs that include proper timing notation, are well-formatted, and have good user ratings or reviews. Many sites allow users to rate and comment on tabs, which can help you identify the most accurate versions of songs you want to learn.
Learning to create your own tablature and chord charts is valuable for documenting your own musical ideas, arrangements, or transcriptions of songs you've learned by ear. Start with simple melodies or chord progressions, focusing on clear and accurate notation that another guitarist could easily follow and understand.
Several software programs and online tools make creating professional-looking tabs and charts easier, with features like automatic formatting, playback capabilities, and the ability to export in various formats. Whether you write them by hand or use software, developing notation skills will make you a more complete musician and better collaborator.
One of the most common mistakes when reading tabs is ignoring the string layout, leading to playing notes on the wrong strings. Always double-check that you're reading the tab orientation correctly, with the high E string on top and low E string on the bottom. Another frequent error is rushing through complex passages without ensuring proper finger placement and clean note execution.
When reading chord charts, avoid the temptation to strum every chord with the same pattern or intensity. Pay attention to any additional notation about strumming patterns, dynamics, or rhythmic emphasis. Remember that chord charts provide the harmonic framework, but the rhythmic and stylistic interpretation often requires additional musical knowledge and listening skills.
Continue your learning: Check out our Guitar Tuning Basics and Standard Guitar Tuning Guide