Tablature is a type of notation for stringed instruments. For guitar, it will show 6 lines representing the 6 strings. The first string (High E string) is on the top line, and the 6th string (Low E string) is on the bottom line. The tuning of each string is given to the left of its line. The numbers on the lines represent fret at which you are to play. You are to play these notes from left to right. Take a look at Figure 1
Figure 1
e----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G----------------------------------------------------------
D-----------2----------------------------------------------
A-------2--------------------------------------------------
E---0------------------------------------------------------
To play this, put your finger 2 on A string on the 2nd fret and your finger 3 on D string also in 2nd fret. The 0 means you play the open string and an open string is where you don't touch the string with your left hand finger. Make sure that all the notes of the chords sounded. How to check this? Simple, pick each string individually from the 6th string to the 1st string. This will help you make sure that all of the notes of the chord are sounding. Tablature does not tell you how long to hold each note. Because of this, you must either know the song or you must also have the standard notation with it. Standard notation is given along with tablature in a lot of guitar sheet music.
Chords in tablature look like the E Major chord given in Figure 2. To play the tablature in Figure 2, you must place your fingers in the appropriate positions and strum all six strings.
Figure 2
e----0-----------------------------------------------------
B----0-----------------------------------------------------
G----1-----------------------------------------------------
D----2-----------------------------------------------------
A----2-----------------------------------------------------
E----0-----------------------------------------------------
Hammer-ons
A hammer-on is played by plucking a note and then "hammering on" another fret. The symbol for a hammer-on is an "h." The note that you pluck comes before the "h" and the note that you hammer on is the one that follows the "h." Look at Figure 3 for an example.
Figure 3
e----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G---------------------7h9--------------------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------------------
Pull-offs
A pull-off is played by plucking a note then letting go of that note and letting one at a lower fret sound. The symbol for a pull-off is a "p." The note that you pluck is the one that is located before the "p." The note after is the one that will be sounded when you pull off of that note. Look at Figure 4 for an example.
Figure 4
e----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G---------------------9p7--------------------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------------------
Bending, Releasing, and Vibrato
A 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. The symbol used for a bend is a "b" but I have also seen it as a "^." The note that comes before it signifies the fret that you are bending at, and the note that comes after it is the fret of the target pitch. In other words, you are trying to get the bend to sound like the note at the fret after the "b."
A release is signified by an "r." As you know, a release is when a string is already bent and you let it go. Well, the note before the "r" represents the bent tone or the target pitch, and the note after represents the note after you have released the bend.
Vibrato ("~") is simply 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.
Look at Figure 5 for an example of bending, releasing, and vibrato.
Figure 5
e----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G---------------------7b9r7---7~----------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------
E------------------------------------------------
Sliding
Slides are symbolized by slashes ("/" or "\"). A slide up ("/") is when you play a note and then hold your finger on the fretboard 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 6
e----------------------------------------------------------
B----------------------------------------------------------
G---------------------7/9-------------------------------
D----------------------------------------------------------
A----------------------------------------------------------
E----------------------------------------------------------
There you have it the basic Tablature Notation. Enjoy and Have Fun with it.
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