How to Read Guitar Tabs — Complete Beginner Guide

Guitar tablature (tab) is the fastest way to learn songs on guitar without reading music. Unlike standard notation, tab doesn't require knowledge of note names or rhythmic values — it simply tells you where to put your fingers. Within a few minutes of learning the basics, you can start using tabs to learn your favourite songs.

What Is Guitar Tab?

Tab is a visual map of the guitar neck. It uses six horizontal lines, each representing one string:

e |---|
B |---|
G |---|
D |---|
A |---|
E |---|

The bottom line is the low E string (thickest, lowest-pitched). The top line is the high e string (thinnest, highest-pitched). Tab reads left to right, just like text.

Numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press:

e |---0---|
B |---1---|
G |---0---|
D |---2---|
A |---3---|
E |------|

This is a C major chord. Play the 3rd fret of the A string, 2nd fret of the D string, open G string, 1st fret of B string, and open high e. The low E string is not played (shown as a dash or an X).

A 0 means play the string open (unfretted). A number means fret that position. Notes stacked vertically are played simultaneously (a chord). Notes reading left to right are played in sequence (a melody or riff).

Reading a Simple Riff

Here is the main riff from "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple — one of the most famous guitar riffs in history:

e |-------------------------------|
B |-------------------------------|
G |---0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5-3-0-|
D |---0-3-5---0-3-6-5---0-3-5-3-0-|
A |-------------------------------|
E |-------------------------------|

The notes on the G and D strings are played together (stacked). Read left to right: first the 0-0 (open), then 3-3, then 5-5, and so on.

Tab Symbols and What They Mean

h — Hammer-on

e |---5h7---|

Press the 5th fret, then "hammer" your fretting finger onto the 7th fret without picking again. The second note rings from the force of the finger landing.

p — Pull-off

e |---7p5---|

Press both the 7th and 5th frets simultaneously. Pick the 7th fret note, then pull your finger off the 7th fret (with a slight downward flick) to sound the 5th fret note without picking again.

/ — Slide Up

e |---5/7---|

Pick the 5th fret, then slide your finger up to the 7th fret while maintaining pressure. The pitch glides smoothly between the two notes.

\ — Slide Down

e |---7\\5---|

Same as above but sliding down in pitch.

b — Bend

e |---7b9---|

Fret the 7th fret, pick, then push the string upward (or downward on lower strings) until the pitch rises to match the 9th fret pitch. Bend distance is usually one whole step (2 frets) or a half step (1 fret).

Full bend: 7b9 — bend up a whole step (2 frets worth of pitch) Half bend: 7b8 — bend up a semitone (1 fret worth of pitch) Pre-bend: (7)b9 — bend before picking, so you hear only the arrived pitch

r — Release Bend

e |---7b9r7---|

Bend up to the target pitch, then release back down to the original fret while maintaining the note.

~ — Vibrato

e |---7~---|

While holding the note, repeatedly bend and release the string in small, rapid increments. This creates the wavering, expressive quality in lead guitar. Width and speed of vibrato is a personal stylistic choice.

x — Muted String (Dead Note)

e |---x---|

Lightly touch the string with a fretting finger without pressing down, then pick. Produces a percussive click rather than a pitched note. Used in funk rhythm parts and aggressive rock riffs.

( ) — Ghost Note / Implied Note

e |---(5)---|

A note in parentheses is either a continuation of a bent note, a ghost note played very softly, or a note that's implied but not explicitly picked.

T — Tapping

e |---12T15---|

The right-hand (picking-hand) finger taps directly onto the fretboard at the indicated fret. Used for fast legato runs in Van Halen-style shredding and progressive rock.

PM — Palm Mute

e |------------|
B |------------|
G |------------|
D |---PM-------|
A |---PM-------|
E |---0-0-0-0--|
    PM---------

Rest the heel of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge. Creates a muffled, chunky tone used in metal and rock rhythm playing.

wh / wh↑ — Whammy Bar / Tremolo Arm

e |---wh↓---|

Push down (↓) or pull up (↑) the tremolo arm to lower or raise pitch. Used for dive bombs in metal (divebomb sometimes written out) and subtle vibrato in Stratocaster playing.

Tab Does NOT Show Rhythm

This is the main limitation of tab compared to standard notation: tab does not tell you how long to hold each note. It shows the order and pitch of notes but not their rhythmic duration.

To learn the rhythm, you need to either:

1. Listen to the recording while reading the tab
2. Use a tab with rhythm notation (Guitar Pro format, or tabs written with note flags above the tab lines)

Most free tabs online use basic text tab without rhythmic information. This is fine once you know the song — use the tab as a reference while listening, not as a standalone score.

Chord Diagrams vs Tab

You'll often see chord diagrams (grid charts showing the fretboard from the front) alongside tab:

  E A D G B e
  x 3 2 0 1 0  ← C major chord

Or as a vertical grid:

     E A D G B e
nut |x|3|2|o|1|o|

Chord diagrams show finger placement for one chord at a time. Tab shows a sequence of notes or chords in order. Both are useful — chord diagrams to learn the chord shape, tab to learn how it's played in a song.

Where to Find Guitar Tabs

Ultimate Guitar (ultimate-guitar.com): The largest tab database, with millions of songs in multiple formats (text tab, Guitar Pro, official tabs). A free account gives access to most content; Pro ($5.99/month) adds Guitar Pro files with rhythm notation and backing tracks.

Songsterr (songsterr.com): Interactive tab playback — the tab scrolls as the song plays. Excellent for rhythm learning. Subscription required for full access.

Guitar Pro software: The industry standard for professional tab creation. Files (.gpx format) contain full notation including rhythm, multiple instruments, and playback. You can find Guitar Pro tabs on Ultimate Guitar.

YouTube: Many teachers post tab directly on screen while teaching a song. Searching "[song name] guitar lesson tab" often produces results with on-screen tab.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Reading too slowly: Tab is meant to be read while playing. If you're translating each number individually, the flow breaks. Practice reading ahead of where you're playing.

Ignoring the recording: Tab is a guide, not a score. Always listen to the original recording to understand the phrasing, dynamics, and timing the tab represents.

Incorrect string order: Remember — low E is at the bottom of the tab, high e is at the top. This is backwards from how you hold the guitar and view the strings visually. It takes a moment to re-orient.

Missing position markers: A number like 12 means the 12th fret, not two separate frets. Always read the full number before moving your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tab easier than sheet music? Yes, for most guitarists. Tab requires no prior music theory knowledge. The tradeoff is that tab lacks rhythmic information and is less universally transferable across instruments.

Can I read tab if I can't read music? Yes. Tab is designed for guitarists who don't read standard notation. It's completely standalone for learning melodies and chords.

Is tab accurate? Community-submitted tabs vary in accuracy. Verified tabs (marked on Ultimate Guitar) are more reliable. When learning a song, always compare the tab to the actual recording and trust your ear over any tab.

What does the number above the tab lines mean? Numbers above the tab (rather than on the lines) sometimes indicate finger numbers (1=index, 2=middle, 3=ring, 4=pinky) or are part of Guitar Pro's rhythm notation system.

How do I know which finger to use? Tab doesn't specify fingering. In general, use one finger per fret on single-note lines (index for the lowest fret in the position, ring or pinky for the highest). For chords, standard chord fingerings apply.