Ref: Reading Tab

Basic tab example:

  pm
e-------------------------------------------|---------------------------------x--|--0--
b-------------------------------------------|--------------------<5>-[5]--\1/----|--1--
g-------------------------------------------|-/5/7t12p7\5\--5s7------------------|--0--
d---------------------5b7==7r5----5b7--h7r5-|------------------------------------|--2--
a-----------0h5h7p5p0-----------------------|------------------------------------|--3--
e-0--5~~-7-(7)------------------------------|------------------------------------|--x--

The letters on the left of each line indicate the tuning/string. If none are present, the tuning may have been indicated in the header above the tab. If not, assume standard tuning.

Tab reads like a book from left to right. Notes vertically aligned are intervals or chords that should be played simultaneously. Otherwise, you play the notes in left to right order. Spacing is roughly used to indicate rhythm; however, it should be assumed to be imprecise. Sometimes each note's duration or numbered beat markings are placed above or below the tab.

Each line indicates a string. Each number indicates a note. The number indicates the fret number to hold on that string to give the note the appropriate pitch (but this gets confusing for bending, which is described below). If a number is surrounded by ()'s, this indicates to let the note ring, even if a note is being sounded simultaneously on another string.

The |'s indicate the end of a measure.

Let's analyze each string.

  pm
e-0--5~~-7-(7)--

Palm mute the open e. Play the 5th fret and use vibrato. Play the 7th fret, and continue to sustain it.

a---0h5h7p5p0---

Pluck the open A, hammer-on the 5th fret, then the 7th fret. Pull-off to the 5th fret, then to the open A.

d---5b7==7r5----5b7--h7r5---

Pluck the 5th fret and bend it up a whole step to match the normal pitch of the unbent 7th fret. Hold the bend and pluck the bent string again, then release the bend and sustain the unbent 5th fret note. The second set of notes is the exact same thing but uses a different notation.

Note: we never fret the 7th fret in this example. The 7's indicate the normal unbent pitch of the 7th fret, not the fret to hold.

g--/5/7t12p7\5\--5s7--

Pluck the G string as you slide up to the 5th fret. Legato slide up to the 7th fret. Tap (hammer-on) the 12th fret with your right hand. Pull-off from the tap back to the 7th fret. Legato slide back to the 5th fret. Legato slide down the fretboard then mute the string. Pluck the 5th fret, then legato slide up to the 7th fret.

b--<5>-[5]--\1/---

Play the natural harmonic sounded by muting directly over the 5th fret and plucking the string. Play an artificial (pinch) harmonic while fretting the 5th fret (this tab doesn't specify which harmonic order or note is the target). Then do a quick whole step dip by pressing and releasing the bar.

e---x---

Mute the E string with the left hand and pluck the string.

e--0--
b--1--
g--0--
d--2--
a--3--
e--x--

Strum an open-string C Major chord while muting the low E string.

Table of all symbols

v or ~ Vibrato vvv or /\/\/\/ Wide Vibrato () Sustain note h hammer-on p pull-off <n> natural harmonic with node at n [n] artificial (pinch) harmonic, fret n a(n) tapped harmonic, fret a, tap n x play muted string pm palm mute note x/x/x pick slide

t tap-on note with right hand b bend to pitch of specified fret h or ='s hold bend r release bend / slide upward into note \ slide downward into note s slide upward/downward into note \n/ whammy bar dip n steps /n\ whammy bar rise n steps VVV whammy bar dive-bomb Common Annotations Tab is often a bit limited in and of itself, using annotations above or below the tab to attempt to augment what can be written in the actual tab. 1 2 3 4 - Tab does not have any formal rhythm notation. Usually, the spacing between the fret numbers attempts to indicate a rough sense of timing; but often this is not good enough. Numbers above the tab usually indicate the beat, allowing you to line up notes to each beat. 1 n 2 n 3 n 4 n - Same as above but includes the "ands" (8th notes in 4/4) between beats. 1 u n u 2 u n u - Same as above but 4 notes per beat (16th notes in 4/4). w h q e s - stands for whole, half, quarter, eighth, and sixteenth notes. An alternative or additional method of marking rhythm. --3-- - indicates the notes should be played as a triplet (odd number of notes per beat). d u or v ^ - Indicates whether the given note should be played with a downstroke or upstroke. A B C D or a b c d - The classical name of the note being played. This helps to associate fret/string pairs with their note names. It may also be essential to know which harmonic order of an artificial harmonic to use. pm, p, or * - palm mute i m r p t - Stands for index, middle, ring, pinky, and thumb - indicates which finger to use to play the given note.