Reading guitar TAB is easy, you just need to keep this picture in your mind:
The numbers are the frets, and the lines going across are your strings. Play the right number (fret) on the correct string, and you can’t go wrong.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
The lines going across the page are the strings. From the top line down, the strings are 1(thin),2,3,4,5,6(thick). Keep in mind that when you are reading tab, the bottom line is your top string on your guitar.
The numbers are the frets that you play. A zero means to play the string “open” with no fingers pressed down.
Click on the image to enlarge it. (You might have to click on it again in the next page).
Much Respect
The Musician’s Toolbox
When you see a curvy arrow pointing up and away from the number on the string, it will either say 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 or 2 above the arrow. This arrow tells you to bend the string so that it sounds higher. Make sure to use either your pointer or middle finger to bend the string as they are stronger fingers.
If you see a 1/2, that means that the bend should sound the same as if you pressed down the fret above the written note. For example, if the TAB tells you to bend 12, then your bent note should sound the same as the 13th fret (as if you pressed it down normally).
If you see a 1, that means that the bend should sound two frets higher. So 12 would sound like 14.
If you see a 1 1/2, that means that the bend should sound three frets higher. So 12 would sound like 15.
If you see a 2, that means that the bend should sound four frets higher. So 12 would sound like 16.
Much Respect,
The Musician’s Toolbox
