Understanding Guitar Tablature - The Art and Science of Tab Notation

Understanding Tab Boo - The Art of Guitar Tablature

For guitarists, learning new songs is an integral part of developing skills and expanding one's repertoire. While many rely on chord charts or standard musical notation, guitar tab (also called tablature or tabs) has emerged as a popular alternative for its ease of use and focus on the guitar fretboard.

Tab gives a visual representation of where and how to play different notes on a guitar. By showing the frets and strings to be played, tab cuts through the difficulty of standard notation and allows guitarists to quickly learn new material. However, there are some key things to know about tab to utilize it effectively.

The Basics of How To Read Tab

Tab consists of six horizontal lines representing the six strings of the guitar. The top line represents the high E string and the bottom line represents the low E string. Numbers are used on the lines and spaces to designate fret numbers. For example, a "3" on the top line means to play the third fret on the high E string. Tab may also use letters or symbols to indicate techniques like bends, slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs.

Standard tuning is assumed for tab, meaning E-A-D-G-B-E from the lowest to highest string. Tab does not convey rhythm or duration. These aspects are inferred from the context and placement of the tab against the lyrics. Tablature is read left to right with the rhythm following the lyrics above the tab.

Understanding these basics allows you to leverage tab effectively as a learning tool. However, there are some limitations to be aware of.

Limitations of Tablature

While easy to read, tab has some disadvantages compared to standard notation:

• Only tells you which strings/frets to play, not necessarily how it should sound rhythmically
• Assumes you already know the song and desired rhythms
• Does not indicate bends, slides, hammer-ons/pull-offs unless notated with symbols
• Does not show chord voicings or fingering suggestions
• Can sometimes be vague in interpretation without audio reference

For these reasons, tab is most useful when supplemented with audio tracks, standard notation, or guidance from a teacher. Relying solely on tab can lead to stiff, inaccurate renditions of parts. Use it as a guide, but be ready to expand on it.

Tips for Learning Songs from Tab

When utilizing tab, keep these tips in mind:

• Use audio or video to get the overall rhythm and feel
• Lightly tap rhythms out on your guitar to internalize them
• Start slow and increase speed with accuracy
• Watch for symbol indicators like bends, slides, vibratos, etc.
• Pay attention to both picking and fretting hands
• Isolate difficult sections and slowly loop/repeat
• Reference multiple tabs if uncertain - they may offer alternate views

Applying these strategies allows you to learn efficiently from tab while avoiding the common pitfall of overlooking musicality.

Creating Your Own Tab

One of the most valuable uses of tablature is creating your own. Writing out your own parts in tab can ingrain them deeply and also serve as helpful notation for remembering what you played. Here's how to get started:

1. Use sheet music or take time to map out the notes/chords for what you want to tab
2. Determine the best fret positions and string choices to play the passage
3. Write the fret numbers on the corresponding strings and beats
4. Add symbols for bends, slides, and techniques as needed
5. Double-check your tab matches the desired sound
6. Make revisions until the tab is accurate and easy to follow

Creating tablature takes effort at first but becomes easier with practice. Combined with ears and musical knowledge, it can capture your musical ideas in concrete form.

Tab Resources

When looking for tab online, some useful sites include:

• Ultimate Guitar - Large collection of user submitted tabs
• Songsterr - Has tabs synchronized with rhythm notation
• GuitarTabs - Database of tablature for guitar, bass, and drums
• 911Tabs - Indexes tabs from various other sites

Additionally, printed tab books offer a consolidated way to learn complete albums or an artist's repertoire. When possible, verify tabs against audio/video to ensure accuracy.

Integrating Tab into Your Practice

Here are some great ways to incorporate tab into guitar practice and study:

• Lookup tabs for songs you want to learn but can't figure out by ear
• Use tab to clarify tricky sections in complex instrumental pieces
• Study tabs of guitarists you wish to emulate to see their patterns
• Create tabs for your own musical ideas, riffs, and solos to revisit later
• Use tab software to slow down challenging passages and loop sections
• Compare tabs of the same song by different transcribers for unique insights

Approached creatively, tablature can be an invaluable asset. Some traditionalists eschew tab, but used judiciously it makes learning faster and easier.

Conclusion

For guitarists, tablature represents a user-friendly form of notation centered around the fretboard. While having limitations compared to standard notation, it enables rapid learning by providing a map of which notes to play. With care given to rhythmic feel and musicality, tab can be an excellent practice tool.

Master the basics of reading and writing tab, but also leverage additional resources like videos and teacher guidance.Creating your own tabs helps cement parts in your memory. Treat tab as a musical opportunity, not just a shortcut. With the right approach, it can greatly expand your guitar horizons.

FAQs

What are the benefits of using guitar tablature?

Guitar tab allows you to see where notes are played on the fretboard in a simple, visual way. This can make learning songs much faster and easier than reading standard notation.

How is tablature different from standard musical notation?

Tab only shows the frets and strings to play rather than the rhythms, durations, and expression of standard notation. Tab assumes you know the rhythm of a song already.

What are some limitations of tablature I should be aware of?

Tab does not indicate bends, slides, vibrato, or other techniques unless marked with symbols. It also does not show chord voicings, fingering, or provide guidance on execution and feel.

What tips can help me learn efficiently from guitar tab?

Use audio/video to inform the rhythm, start slow and build up speed, watch for technique symbols, isolate tricky sections, and reference multiple tabs for ambiguity.

Is tablature a shortcut that will inhibit my rhythm and music reading?

Tab can become a crutch if relied on solely. Use it combined with ear training, sight reading skills, and musical knowledge for the best results.