Blog / Guitar Tablature
How to Read Guitar Tablature (TABs)
A beginner-friendly guide to reading fret numbers, understanding horizontal strings, and mastering common techniques like slides and bends.
For beginner guitarists, standard sheet music can look like a foreign language. That’s where Guitar Tablature (usually called **TAB**) comes in. Tablature is a simplified, highly visual method of writing music specifically for stringed instruments. Instead of showing absolute pitches, TAB shows you exactly where to put your fingers on the fretboard.
1. The Anatomy of a Guitar TAB
A standard guitar tab consists of six horizontal lines. Each line represents one of the six strings of the guitar:
- Top Line: The 1st string (High E) - the thinnest string.
- 2nd Line: The 2nd string (B).
- 3rd Line: The 3rd string (G).
- 4th Line: The 4th string (D).
- 5th Line: The 5th string (A).
- Bottom Line: The 6th string (Low E) - the thickest string.
An easy way to remember this is that TAB is written as if you are looking down at your guitar neck while playing it.
2. Understanding Fret Numbers
Numbers are placed directly on the horizontal lines. These numbers tell you which fret to press down on that string:
- A 0 means play the string open (don't press any fret, just pluck it).
- A 1 means press down behind the first fret.
- A 5 means press down behind the fifth fret.
Tabs are read from left to right. If numbers are stacked vertically on top of each other, you play those notes at the same time, representing a chord.
3. Deciphering Technical Symbols
Guitar tabs also include letters and symbols to represent specific guitar-playing techniques:
- h (Hammer-on): Pluck the first note and hammer your finger onto a higher fret to make the second note ring without replucking. (e.g.,
5h7) - p (Pull-off): Pluck a note, then pull your finger off to let a lower fret ring. (e.g.,
7p5) - / or \ (Slide): Slide your finger up or down from one fret to another. (e.g.,
5/7or7\5) - b (Bend): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. (e.g.,
7b9) - v or ~ (Vibrato): Slightly shake the string with your fretting hand to create a singing, wavy sound effect.
Frequently asked questions
How do you read a zero (0) on a guitar tab?
A zero (0) on a guitar tab indicates an open string. This means you pluck the corresponding string without pressing down on any frets.
Do guitar tabs show rhythm?
Traditional guitar tabs do not show rhythm or note durations. However, modern interactive tabs (like those exported from JamScore AI or Guitar Pro) add vertical lines, stems, or audio sync to indicate timing.