Reading Tablature (Tab) – A Basic Overview 

Reading Music vs. Tablature:  

Although reading music used to be one of the first things taught when you took lessons, it has now taken a back seat to reading tablature.  Tablature has quickly become the new standard for reading music.  Why? Mainly because of how easy it is to learn!  Once you understand some simple pointers about tablature, you are quickly on your way!  

Tablature has taken over – and is everywhere in the guitar world! 

Reading music would still be very beneficial for any aspiring guitarist – the more ways to read notes would be extremely helpful to your development.  If you want to become a "studio" guitarist then reading music is a must. 

But even if you never learn to read music, and you are serious about the guitar – you need to take the time to learn to read tablature – start now, especially if you are a beginner or intermediate, and in no time, you will be reading tab like a pro.

   

Here is a very helpful handout for Guitar Players that want to learn to read tablature.  BASIC TABLATURE FOR GUITAR CLICK HERE!

Here are a couple of measures of a popular standard rock song to show an example of how tablature can look in a publication (sheet music, etc).   *The example above is for demonstration only, not for learning purposes, is not for sale, and should not be considered a lesson of any type...