For the last 30 years, countless of guitar notation systems
have been created but none of them holds a candle in front of TAB in terms of
simplicity and ease of understanding.
Guitar Tablature aka TAB is a form of writing music for all
fretted instruments like the guitar. The system is specially designed for
musicians who don’t prefer traditional or standard music notation for reading
music. TAB comprises more information that other notations, making it a go-to
musical notation for musicians around the world. Not only it tells you which
note to play but also inform you where the note is played.
Musical Anatomy of a Guitar TAB
TAB includes six horizontal lines, representing the six strings of a guitar. While the 1st line represents the thinnest string, the lowest line
addresses the thickest string. The treble is at the top; the bass is present at
the bottom. The bass strings offer the lowest sound and the treble strings
produce the highest sound.
You must be wondering about the numbers on the lines. They
denote the FRET you are supposed to play. You only have to play those strings
with numbers on them. Strings without any numbers on them are supposed to left
untouched. The 0 on the string means it is played open, with no fingers. Notes
which are played one at a time are signified by vertically aligned on top of
one another.
The process of reading tablature is similar to reading a
book –it means left to right. The rhythms are notated only in standard notation.
Tablature is read like a book: from left to right. Because
the rhythm is only notated in standard notation (and I haven’t explained that
yet), listen to the audio example first.
Standard Notation Staff
In standard notation, you will find five horizontal lines
known as staff. Each line and space between these lines is called a note. You
have to use clef based on the notes present on the lines and spaces of the
staff. The treble clef is written in E, G, B, D, and F. The spaces are written
in F, A, C, E form.
Lines and spaces
When the note is too low or high to fit on the staff, then
writers represent them in ledger lines. To add more notes,
musicians have to go beyond five staff lines.
Accidentals
Accidentals comprise sharps, flats or naturals. They are
used for telling the guitarist to play the note a half step lower or higher in
terms of pitch. While sharps tell you to play the note half step higher, flats
tell you to play it half step lower. When you see naturals, it means you can play
the note as the way it is written and don’t pay any attention to sharp &
flats.
Keys
In some cases, you need to play an entire piece of music
using all accidentals, which is denoted by a key signature. One key signature
lasts until the musician place a different key signature in the music.
Lack of rhythmic information on Internet TAB is one of the
most confusing things you will find while looking at how to read guitar tabs
on the internet. Therefore, its crucial for you to spend some time in reading rhythm
as well. Lack of rhythms also makes TAB one of the easiest forms of writing
musical notes.
Now the problem lies in finding the right tab for practicing. Since many novice students post their TABs online, you must do some research before downloading them. Make sure you always download TABs from reputable sources.
You may find TAB as quite confusing if you are a beginner. However, through times you will find them much easier than traditional notation. Besides, it doesn’t need you to take an extended course to understand how to read guitar tabs.
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