How to Read Guitar Tablature & Standard Notation: Complete Guide

Guitar tablature uses 6 horizontal lines representing the 6 strings of the guitar, oriented as if you are looking down at your fretboard:

e |---------------- (High E / 1st string - thinnest)
B |---------------- (B / 2nd string)
G |---------------- (G / 3rd string)
D |---------------- (D / 4th string)
A |---------------- (A / 5th string)
E |---------------- (Low E / 6th string - thickest)

Numbers placed on these lines indicate the specific fret to depress with your fretting fingers (0 = open string, 5 = fifth fret).

Tab shows where to play, but it is only half the picture. To understand pitch and register, pair it with Reading Standard Notation for Guitar & Bass.

While traditional ASCII tab only showed fret numbers, modern professional notation includes rhythmic stems:

• Whole Note (4 beats): Open notehead with no stem.
• Half Note (2 beats): Open notehead with vertical stem.
• Quarter Note (1 beat): Solid notehead with vertical stem (standard Downbeat).
• Eighth Note (1/2 beat): Single flag or beamed line across notes ("1-and-2-and").
• Sixteenth Note (1/4 beat): Double beam across notes ("1-e-and-a-2-e-and-a").

If those subdivisions do not yet feel natural, work through Counting Rhythm & Understanding Time Signatures before adding speed.

Modern tablature expresses physical technique through standard symbols:

• Hammer-On (h): 5h7 — Pick fret 5 and firmly tap fret 7 with another finger without picking again.
• Pull-Off (p): 7p5 — Pluck fret 7 and pull off to let fret 5 ring out.
• Slide (/\ or s): 5/7 (slide up) or 7\5 (slide down).
• String Bend (b): 7b9 — Fret at 7 and push string upward until the pitch matches fret 9 (full-step bend).
• Vibrato (~): Gentle pitch oscillation created by rocking the fretting wrist.
• Palm Muting (P.M.): Resting the fleshy edge of your picking palm across the bridge saddles for a tight, percussive chug.