how do you read guitar tabs?

Answer 1

The top line is the high E, the bottom line represents the Low E. The numbers on the lines represent the fret, so an 11 on the second line down would represent one note played with your finger on the B string on the 11th fret.

Answer 2

A tab staff for guitar has 6 horizontal lines, each one representing a string of the instrument. The bottom line of the staff represents your lowest "E" string, the second line from the bottom represents your "A" string, etc. Easy enough to read, right?
Notice that there are numbers located smack dab in the middle of the lines (aka strings). The numbers simply represent the fret the tab is telling you to play. For example, in the illustration above, the tab is telling you to play the third string (third line) seventh fret.

Note: When the number "0" is used in tablature, this indicates that the open string should be played.

This is the concept of reading tab, at it's most basic. Now let's examine some of the more advanced aspects of reading tablature notation, including how to read chords in tab.

This too is a relatively simple process. When the tab displays a series of numbers, stacked vertically, it is indicating to you that it wants you to play all these notes at the same time. Hence, the above tablature indicates that you should hold down the notes in an E major chord (second fret on fifth string, second fret on fourth string, first fret on third string) and strum all six strings at once. Often, tablature will additionally include the chord name (in this case E major) above the tablature staff, to help guitarists recognize the chord more quickly.

Rhythmic notation is the biggest one. And it's a doozy of a flaw. Most guitar tab doesn't notate rhythm in any way, so if you haven't heard how the guitar part to the song you're playing goes, you have no way of knowing how long to hold each note. Some guitar tab does attempt to include rhythms, by putting stems on each number (to indicate quarter notes, eighth notes, etc), but most guitarists find this cumbersome to read. And besides, if you're going to include traditional rhythmic notation in guitar tab, why not just go the extra step and write the whole thing in standard notation?
Another major problem with guitar tablature is only guitarists can read it. While standard notation is readable by those who play any instrument, tab is native to guitarists, so those who don't play guitar won't be able to comprehend it. This makes any sort of musical communication with a piano player, or other musician, very difficult.

Answer 3

E--------------------
B--------------------
G--------------------
D--------------------
A------0------3--4--
E------0-------------

This is standard format for a six string guitar. The top string when you're holding the guitar is at the bottom of the tab. 0 is open. Each number is the fret you need to play that string on. If the numbers are directly below eachother you play them together. You'd first play the top and second to top string open and together. Then, You'd play the second to top string on the third and then fourth fret. Left to right. Most tabs will have a key with it. telling you the hammer-on and pull-off signs. (usually h and p) (ex. --3h4) Start on 3hammer-on4. Browse the internet, use search engines. There are some sites which will explain in full detail how to read them. (usually tab web sites.)

Answer 4

The lines are the 6 strings of your guitar. the highest line is the first string E, the second is B and so on. Each number is in which fret you have to put your finger. So if you have an "5" on the 3rd line, it's the fifth fret on the G-string...

Answer 5

each line represents a string on the guitar and the numbers represent which fret to play on that string.

Answer 6

Top line = highest string
Bottom line = lowest string
Number = fret #
0 = open string
12 = fret with 2 dots (usually), etc.

Answer 7

Shows you where to put your fingers on the neck of a guitar

Answer 8

pick up a good guitar instruction book at your local music store, it will have references to tabulature. Or, just google your way to some sites that have good reference info

Answer 9

lines means strings numbers mean fret

Answer 10

By taking lessons and having them teach you.