All Guitar Lessons

Tablature Sheet Music
6 lines representing the 6 strings of the guitar
Notes are represented by numbers

Staff Sheet Music
5 lines
Notes are represented by musical symbols

Tablature

Tablature: A type of notation for stringed instruments. For the guitar, it will show 6 lines representing the 6 strings of the guitar. The first string (High E string) is the top line, and the 6th string (Low E string) is on the bottom line.  The numbers on the lines represent the frets at which you are to play.  You are to read and play these notes from left to right.  Tablatures do not explain how long each note is played for, nor does it show rhythm.

Individual Notes

1) Pluck the Low E string while not holding down any string or fret.

2) On the A string or 5th string you are to hold down the 2nd fret, plucking only that string.

3) On the D string or 4th string you are to hold down the 2nd fret, plucking only that string.

Figure 1

Chords in tablature format are displayed in the same fashion except for the fact that they are stacked one note on top of the other.

1) The E Major chord is shown in Figure 2.

2) You must place your fingers in the appropriate positions and strum all six strings at once.

3) The 0 means that you are not holding down any frets on those strings. They are open.

Figure 2

Hammer-on

1) Played by plucking a note making 2 different sounds.

2) Smacking your finger on a following noted fret.

3) The symbol for a hammer-on is “H"

4) The note that you pluck comes before the "H" and the hammered on note is the one that follows "H"

Figure 3 

Pull-off

1) Plucking a note then releasing that note, making 2 different sounds.

2) The symbol for a pull-off is a "po. or p."

3) The note that you pluck is the one that is located before the "p."

4) The note after the “p” is the one that will be sounded when you pull off of that note.

Figure 4

Bend is executed when you push or pull the string to make the pitch higher. The higher pitch is what we call the target pitch.

Figure 5 

Vibrato ("~") is when you wiggle your finger at a fret to produce a sustained, almost pulsating sound. You will find the "~" symbol after a note that you are to use vibrato on.

Figure 6

Slides are symbolized by slashes ("sl/" or "sl\"). A slide up ("/") is when you play a note and then hold your finger on the fret board and slide your finger to the target pitch. A slide down ("\") is exactly the opposite. In Figure 6, you would play the 7th fret, slide up to the 9th fret, and then slide back down to the 7th fret.

Figure 7