how do you read guitar tabs?

Answer 1

the lines represent the strings on a guitar, the number on the lines represent which frets you need to be at, if the numbers are seperated that means you pick them, if the numbers are all lined up with eachother then that means you strum them....damn this is really hard to explain without me sitting right there beside you with a book...sorry i was of no help. But maybe it helped a little.

Answer 2

They have websites on how to read guitar tabs. They also may have a How to Read Guitar tab book at your local music store.

But, the lines represent the strings and the numbers represent the fret and line you need to play.

Answer 3

The six lines represent the strings, the lines going through them represent the frets, and the circles with numbers represent your fingers, 1 being your index fingers, two your middle, etc.

Answer 4

6lines= 6strings
numbers on the lines= the corresponing fret on the string
example below

Stairway To Heaven intro

E-------5-7-----7-|-8-----8-2-----2-|-0---------0-----|---------------|
B-----5-----5-----|---5-------3-----|---1---1-----1---|-0-1-1---------|
G---5---------5---|-----5-------2---|-----2---------2-|-0-2-2---------|
D-7-------6-------|-5-------4-------|-3---------------|---------------|
A-----------------|-----------------|--------- ------|-2-0-0-0--/8-7-|
E-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|---------------|

Various symbols meaning various things

Tab Symbols
H - hammer on
P - pull off
B - bend string up
R - release bend
/ - Slide up
\ - Slide down
V - vibrato
X - muted, struck string
(12)- ghost note
P.M. palm mute
___ keep the note
~~~ hand vibrato
B=bend
R=release
HB=hold bend
3__3 = tied note
3. = dotted quarter note
} = eight rest
/ = quarter rest
# = half rest
Unless noted, all notes are eighth notes
q = quarter note
h = half note
w = whole note
| = not a standard bar line; just used to separate music
~ = vibrato or held note
x = percussive note with no pitch; muted note
. = staccato; mute the note immediately after striking it
h = hammer on
p = pull off
s = slide
b = bend string up to indicated pitch/fret
r = release bend to indicated string/fret
/ = slide up from infinity
\ = slide down into infinity
o \_
o / repeat sign (always look for these!)

| = not a standard bar line; just used to separate music
~ = vibrato or held note
. = staccato; mute the note immediately after striking it
h = hammer on
p = pull off
s = slide
b = bend string up to indicated pitch/fret
r = release bend to indicated string/fret
/ = slide up from infinity
\ = slide down into infinity
[x35553] = fret box; this is a C chord - this is the same as standard
tablature, only turned on its side. Tilt your head clockwise to read.

i just scraped that table of symobls from all of the tabs for better understanding of the tab symbols read chart on the tab itself because they could vary every tab because there is no official system of symbols and every one has there own kind of system

VOTE ME FOR BEST ANSWER

Answer 5

To me notes repesent numbers, when I see a E I think its a 5 etc.... thats the best way of playing I think

Answer 6

------3- pluck the 3rd fret, of the smallest string..
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-0------ = pluck the open fattest string.

Six Strings. Tags are designed for 6 string guitars and for righties.

each line is for a string, and the numbers are for frets.