how to read notes for guitar

3 min read 07-02-2025

Learning to read guitar music is a crucial step in becoming a proficient guitarist. This guide will help you understand both tablature (tabs) and standard musical notation, empowering you to decipher and play a wider variety of music.

Understanding Guitar Tablature (Tabs)

Guitar tablature, or tabs, is a simplified way of representing guitar music. It's incredibly popular for its ease of use, especially for beginners. Let's break down how to read it:

How Tabs Are Structured

Six Horizontal Lines: Each line represents a string on the guitar, from thickest (low E) to thinnest (high e).
Numbers on the Lines: Numbers indicate the fret number you should press down on that string. A "0" means to play the open string (without pressing any fret).
Timing and Rhythm: Tabs don't usually show rhythm directly. You'll need to learn the rhythm from the song itself, a backing track, or sheet music if provided.

Example: Reading a Simple Tab

Let's say you see this simple tab:

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

This means you play the 3rd fret on the B string repeatedly. The 0 on the G string means you play the open G string repeatedly. The rhythm isn't specified here – you'd learn that from the song.

Advanced Tab Features:

Bends: A "b" often indicates a string bend. You'll see something like "7b9," meaning bend the 7th fret up to the pitch of the 9th fret.
Slides: A "/" or "" shows a slide up or down the fretboard.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: "h" indicates a hammer-on, while "p" signifies a pull-off. These techniques involve striking a note with your picking hand or plucking a note with your fretting hand respectively.
Vibrato: A "v" indicates vibrato, a rapid shaking of the fretted note.

Understanding Standard Musical Notation

Standard musical notation is a more comprehensive system, but it takes more time to learn. It provides information about rhythm, pitch, and other musical details not always present in tabs.

Key Elements:

Staff: Five horizontal lines and the spaces between them represent different musical pitches.
Clef: A symbol at the beginning of the staff indicating the range of notes. The treble clef is commonly used for guitar.
Notes: Oval symbols placed on the staff represent notes. Their position on the staff determines their pitch.
Time Signature: A fraction (like 4/4) indicating the number of beats per measure and the type of note that gets one beat.
Rhythm Notation: Notes and rests are used to represent the duration of notes and silences.

Learning to Read Standard Notation:

Reading standard notation requires understanding musical theory concepts, such as note values, time signatures, and key signatures. There are many resources available online and in books to help you learn this.

Choosing Between Tabs and Standard Notation

Beginners: Start with tabs. They're easier to learn and get you playing quickly.
Intermediate/Advanced Players: Learning standard notation is highly beneficial. It allows you to play a much wider range of music and understand musical theory better.

Tips for Learning to Read Guitar Music

Start slow: Don't try to learn everything at once. Focus on one aspect at a time.
Practice regularly: Consistent practice is key to improving your reading skills.
Use various resources: Explore online tutorials, books, and apps designed for learning guitar music.
Listen to the music: Pay close attention to the rhythm and phrasing of the song.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Learning is a process of trial and error.

By mastering both tabs and standard notation, you open up a world of musical possibilities on the guitar. Embrace the journey of learning, and you'll be rewarded with the ability to play a diverse range of music.