How to Read Guitar Tabs: Complete Beginner Guide

Guitar tablature - tabs for short - is the most popular way to learn songs on guitar. It’s simpler than standard notation because instead of telling you note names and durations, it tells you exactly which string and fret to press. If you can count to 24, you can read tabs.

Every tab you find online uses the same system. Learn it once, and you can read tabs for any song instantly.

What Does a Tab Look Like?

A guitar tab has 6 horizontal lines, each representing a string:

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

Important: The top line is the thinnest string (high E, 1st string). The bottom line is the thickest string (low E, 6th string). This is the opposite of how the guitar sits in your lap, which trips up beginners.

Numbers on the lines tell you which fret to press on that string:

e|---0---1---3---|
B|---1---0---0---|
G|---0---0---0---|
D|---2---2---0---|
A|---3---3---2---|
E|---x---x---3---|

0 = play the string open (no fretting) x = don’t play that string Any number = press that fret on that string

The example above shows three chords: C, C/E, G.

Reading Single Notes

When numbers appear one after another on different lines, play them as individual notes (a melody or riff):

e|---0-0-0-0-3-3-3-3---|
B|---1-1-1-1-0-0-0-0---|
G|---0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0---|
D|---2-2-2-2-0-0-0-0---|
A|---3-3-3-3-2-2-2-2---|
E|---x-x-x-x-3-3-3-3---|

When numbers are stacked vertically (aligned in the same column), play them simultaneously - that’s a chord strum.

Tab Symbols: The Complete Guide

Hammer-On: h

e|---5h7---|

Play the 5th fret, then “hammer” your finger onto the 7th fret without picking again.

Pull-Off: p

e|---7p5---|

Play the 7th fret, then pull your finger off to sound the 5th fret.

Slide Up: / or s

e|---5/7---|

Play the 5th fret and slide your finger up to the 7th fret.

Slide Down: \

e|---7\5---|

Play the 7th fret and slide down to the 5th fret.

Bend: b

e|---7b9---|

Play the 7th fret and bend the string until it reaches the pitch of the 9th fret.

Release Bend: r

e|---7b9r7---|

Bend up to the 9th fret pitch, then release back to the 7th fret pitch.

Vibrato: ~

e|---7~~~---|

Play the 7th fret and add vibrato (rapid, slight pitch oscillation).

Palm Mute: PM

PM.............
e|---0-0-0-0-0---|

Rest the palm of your picking hand lightly on the strings near the bridge while playing.

Harmonics: < >

e|---<12>---|

Play a natural harmonic at the 12th fret by lightly touching the string directly above the fret wire.

Reading Rhythm in Tabs

Standard tabs don’t show rhythm explicitly - this is their main limitation. The spacing between notes roughly indicates timing (wider spacing = longer duration), but you need to know the song to get the exact rhythm.

Some tabs add rhythm notation:

    1   +   2   +   3   +   4   +
e|---3-------3-------3-------3---|
B|-----0-------0-------0-------0-|
G|---0---0---0---0---0---0---0---0|

Count markers above the tab show beat divisions. This helps with fingerpicking patterns and complex rhythms.

Tabs vs Standard Notation

Feature	Tabs	Standard Notation
Shows exact fret/string	✅	❌ (shows pitch names instead)
Shows rhythm	❌ (usually)	✅
Easy to learn	✅	❌ (takes months)
Universal to all instruments	❌ (guitar only)	✅
Shows position/fingering	✅	❌
Used in most online resources	✅	❌

For guitar specifically, tabs are the faster, more practical system. Most guitarists use tabs exclusively unless they’re studying classical or jazz.

How to Use Tabs to Learn Songs

Step 1: Find a Tab

Ultimate Guitar (ultimate-guitar.com) is the largest tab database. Look for tabs with high ratings - they’re more accurate.

Step 2: Listen to the Song

Play the original recording while reading the tab. Match what you see on the tab to what you hear. This connects the written notation to the actual sound.

Step 3: Break It Into Sections

Don’t try to learn the whole tab at once. Start with the intro or verse. Master that section, then move to the next.

Step 4: Slow It Down

Use a metronome or YouTube’s speed control to practice at half speed. Get the notes right at a slow tempo before adding speed.

Step 5: Connect the Sections

Once each section is solid, connect them. Practice the transitions between sections - that’s often where things fall apart.

Common Mistakes

1. Reading the lines upside down. The top line is the 1st string (thinnest), not the 6th string. This mistake makes every note wrong.

2. Ignoring rhythm. Tabs tell you WHAT to play, not WHEN. Always listen to the recording alongside the tab to get the timing right.

3. Playing every note with equal emphasis. Tabs show notes but not dynamics. Listen to the recording for accents, soft passages, and rhythmic emphasis.

4. Taking tab accuracy for granted. User-submitted tabs frequently have errors. Cross-reference with the recording and use highly rated versions.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Read a Simple Melody

Tab for “Smoke on the Water” intro:

e|-------------------------|
B|-------------------------|
G|---0-3-5---0-3--6-5------|
D|---0-3-5---0-3--6-5------|
A|-------------------------|
E|-------------------------|

Play each number in sequence. You just learned one of the most iconic riffs in rock.

Exercise 2: Read a Chord Progression

    G       C       D
e|---3-------0-------2---|
B|---0-------1-------3---|
G|---0-------0-------2---|
D|---0-------2-------0---|
A|---2-------3-------x---|
E|---3-------x-------x---|

Play each column as a strum. Practice switching between these three chord shapes.

Exercise 3: Read Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

e|---0h2p0---0h3p0---0h5p0---|

Play open, hammer the fret, then pull off to open. This builds technique while improving tab reading.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

As you learn to read tabs, use the Chord Library to verify chord shapes you encounter. If a tab shows a chord you don’t recognize, look it up in Guitar Wiz to see the diagram and hear how it should sound. The Tuner ensures your guitar is in the right tuning before you start playing along with any tab.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Chord Library →

FAQ

Are guitar tabs accurate?

It varies. User-submitted tabs can contain errors. Always cross-reference with the original recording and look for highly-rated versions on tab sites.

Do professional musicians use tabs?

Many do for learning songs quickly. However, professional session musicians and classical/jazz players typically read standard notation.

Can I write my own tabs?

Yes. Tabs are simple to create - just write out the six lines and add the fret numbers. It’s a great way to document riffs and compositions.