| Most guitarists are self-taught. They don't usually | | | | fret of the third string. The last three lines all have |
| go through formal lessons learning scales and | | | | the number zero in them. This indicates that |
| music theory... People like Jimmi Hendricks and Eric | | | | these strings are all played open. So, in this |
| Clapton made all that stuff way too boring long | | | | example we would play a simple form of the |
| ago. The average guitarist's self-taught nature | | | | chord, D major.Having the numbers all stacked |
| may therefore explain why guitar tabs can | | | | vertically means that the strings depressed on the |
| sometimes be a bit of a mystery -- it's a bit too | | | | corresponding strings are all to be played at the |
| much like reading music. But that's not really the | | | | same time.One of the major flaws of guitar tabs |
| case. Let me show you how to read guitar | | | | as a way of notating music is it's inability to |
| tabs...Guitar tabs are a form of written musical | | | | properly convey rhythm and timing. This means |
| notation, but one that is strictly for guitar. Tabs | | | | that if you haven't heard the particular song or |
| have six horizontal lines, one for each string. | | | | piece of music you are trying to play, it may be a |
| Starting with the bottom line and working up to | | | | bit like driving with your eyes closed.There's much |
| the top line, the lines represent the strings, E, A, | | | | more to it than that, things like the letter "h" |
| D, G, B, and E like this:E---2---------- (first or top | | | | representing a hammer on, and "b" for string |
| -------E---0----------You will notice that there are | | | | bends, and so on -- it gets complicated. If you're |
| numbers on the top three lines. This is how you | | | | serious about learning how to read guitar tabs, |
| would represent a chord. The numbers refer to | | | | you should find a good course to teach you.John |
| the fret that the corresponding string is pressed | | | | Coutts is an experienced author who writes on a |
| down on. In this case, the second fret of the | | | | variety of popular subjects. Did you find these |
| first, or top, string is depressed. Then the third | | | | tips useful? |
| fret of the second string, followed by the second | | | | |