Guitar tablature (tab) - learn to read tab in 1 minute

[sofisticatedryala101]

Your videos really helped me a lot.. I hope you will continue making these videos..

[TheBubi97]

wat dose a for example 5h7 mean cause i see lots of those things when i look for tabs and i dont get it .... can u help thank u >.<

[gchguitaracademy]

@TheBubi97 The answer to a previous question answers this . .

This means 'fret 5 hammered on to fret 7'.

If you look up 'hammer ons' you will find a tutorial to show you how to do it

[pumpkinbot]

I'm looking at a tab for a song that has "2h4" on it...What's that mean? o.o

[gchguitaracademy]

@pumpkinbot This means 'fret 2 hammered on to fret 4'.

If you look up 'hammer ons' you should find a tutorial to show you how to do it

[airies21]

Thanks a lot!GOD BLESS!

[yamiirocks]

Wow, that's it? And I thought learning tabs would be difficult.

[vrba79]

anyone knows what does number like this means (12)

[xTayy1]

@vrba79 12th fret.

[FrenchyBunnyStudio]

It's Sunday morning. Everybody is still asleep, and I have had already a great guitar lesson! Your explanations are so clear and simple. It's magical! Thank you so much!

[LITTLEA2211]

ha i learned in 31 seconds



[vrba79]

What does x mean if you have it alone without any number near?

[gchguitaracademy]

@vrba79 The x is a click.

A click is when you make a click sound by playing the string but just rest your finger on the string so no notes sound

[pbrening]

Just a quick note... (no pun intended) Your last "D" chord ... the bass is not open 5th string... but the "D" on open 4th. great job otherwise...

[Freshlywashed]

Ohhh now I get it! All it took was a 1minute. Not 15minutes of a guy talking about numbers which confused me even more. (every other video on youtube)

[Lewright324]

That was 1:06 lol jk THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOO MUCH! :D But I have a question, n I understand the whole upside down thing but I'm still confused about the numbers all in a line. Help please?

[gchguitaracademy]

@Lewright324 The numbers all in a line are chords. Usually the chord name is above the tab, and you play the strings shown in the tab.

[Lewright324]

@gchguitaracademy Ohhh okay thank u so much :)

[pianoparadise]

Thanks for this tutorial on how to read guitar tabs. I found some great tabs at TabFox.com

[Livehardproductions]

DAMN!! that minute the most useful thing i ever needed!!!

[minieduckylover]

^O^ omg thnx very much that realy help me alot it made my day so much better now :) thnx gchguitaracademy!

[gchguitaracademy]

@minieduckylover thank you . . .

[godisnotgreat1]

this guy just sounds like Karl Pilkington:D

[Neondelight0007]

OMGOSH thank you !!!!!!!!! :D

[TheAliceEmma]

completely irrelevant, but you sound slightly like salad fingers. had to be said, sorry :L

[Leonie1483]

thanks alot! really helped!

[amdestuiani]

I kinda wanted to know what * means... In psychosocial tab there is a 6* and i don't know what it means. Would you please tell me? Is it a tapped harmonic?

[gchguitaracademy]

@amdestuiani In psychosocial it is a pinched harmonic. This is a more advanced technique and you really need to look for a tutorial just on 'pinched harmonics' .

[amdestuiani]

@gchguitaracademy thanks alot.

[TMLC1]

why is the guitar upside down? why is the thickest string on the bottom in the video

[gchguitaracademy]

@TMLC1 Because that is the way it is in tab. The thick string is the bottom string because musically it is deepest, even though when you hold a guitar the thickest string is on the top.

[TMLC1]

@gchguitaracademy But still I think it would be easier 2 read tabs if it were going top 2 bottom, like your guitar, insted of making everything confusing

[mactube37]

@gchguitaracademy Whoever designed tabs to be upside down makes me mad, could i just switch to a lefty guitar and play it on my right so i can read the tabs?

[simonsaysjapan]

@mactube37 You are wishing for the guitar to appear as if you were someone else looking at it being played. This is designed so that the guitar appears exactly the same as when you are playing it and looking down at the guitar. The bottom E is nearest your eyes and the top E is furthest away. Top and bottom refers to the note's sound and not the position of the string when looked at from afar. You just need to remember that this is designed fr the player and not the audience. Hope this helps :-)

[jose200043]

thank you very very much.....!!!!

[shineefan10]

At first I thought, "How are you going to explain this in a minute???" But, this was one of the best videos ever. Took a confusing subject and made it easy for beginners like ME!

[TamiRatlick]

how to play the D chord ??? :(

[mactube37]

@TamiRatlick you have to lossen your thickest string to D instead of E

[jerick2318]

@TamiRatlick put your pointer to the fourth string then the middle finger in the last string then your ring finger in the fifth string got it?

[TamiRatlick]

@jerick2318 ahaaaaa thaaank you ;)

[jonaskillerssuk]

Ow man, i was about to give up learning how to read the tabs.

Nice video and thanks (Y)

[modernshadow20]

Best and most helpful video ive seen thanks!!=)

[mexicanballer27]

Whats an open string?

[gchguitaracademy]

@mexicanballer27 Good question . . An open string is the name you give to a string that is played it with no fingers on it.

[rrgert4]

very clear and not 9 minutes long, perfect how to video !

[Saam41]

omg this was really helpful thank you :P!

[MarkQuintanar]

Ok I actually understood it now.... Thanks!

[Exodiaasanezzz]

Wow this actually helped lol.

[diogotomediogo]

haha thank you for this, i wasnt expecting to learn it in 1 minute

[JamesTheBurke]

Thanks this was very helpful.

[umrandommuch]

hehe he has a brritishh accent xD

[mutdpwnevery1]

I like the way you talk.

[gchguitaracademy]

@somerandom9999 ' Read left to right, like a book '.

If 2 or more notes happen at the same time play them all, it's probably a chord or part of a chord.

[somerandom9999]

Ok ohkay , But whats a chord :S

I'm trying to play blink182 - Stay together for the kids

Its my first day with a guitar today and i can do basic things like smoke on water and shit. whats some good things i can learn.?

[gchguitaracademy]

@somerandom9999 Start at the beginning . . . .

Download month one of the GCH Guitar Academy course. It's free . . .

guitar-academy 'dot' com 'forward slash' index-download.htm

[blueberrycreamwaffle]

omg its so simple once you get it

so the number on wich line is the string u play

for eg. Its on the high E so the number is on the bottom string

and the number is what fret you play so it all makes sense now?

[anjhacallsify]

wat?? :D



[scyllaandcharybdis]

i don't get it..

[xXdeathnoteX0x]

exxactly where on the "fret" do you put your finger? inbetween the metal parts, or on them?

[gchguitaracademy]

@xXdeathnoteX0x The tip of your finger should press in between the metal parts.

[xXdeathnoteX0x]

@gchguitaracademy Thanks! i never knew if i had to put them inbetween or not.

[crny991]

@gchguitaracademy what is power chord

pls answer

[Goknor]

@xXdeathnoteX0x ...as close as possible to the metal fret, watch videos of guitar lessons and you will see that they sometimes even almost put the finger on the fret itself, i said ALMOST 'cos if you put your finger exactly on the fret you will damp the string hence no sound will come out.. the best thing is you take a few basic lessons in real life 'cos once you learn something wrong it will be a pain in the ass to get rid of that bad habit ^^

[iSeBaZ]

@xXdeathnoteX0x it should be right on the left of the fret

[xXdeathnoteX0x]

@iSeBaZ i got it a long time ago bro, im sorta a bro now. lol.

[skimkid13]

@xXdeathnoteX0x you put it as close to the metal without being on top of it. like fret 2. but it right before the fret. check out my tab video.

[xXdeathnoteX0x]

@skimkid13 Ok, l2read comments. <.<

[Uruyagua]

@xXdeathnoteX0x  in between.

[adz6386]

@xXdeathnoteX0x i would put your finger just behind the fret

[nutmeg010]

if it is picking do u pick the string that u hold down ??

im teaching myself bass guitar and tabs confuse the hell outta me!

[gchguitaracademy]

@nutmeg010 Yes, the number on the tab is where you put your finger, but you also need to pluck that string to make the correct note sound.

[KROBB19]

This is the most British accent ever! LMAO!

[darkangel0819]

thanks a lot to this vid...... you help me...

[thrasher829]

I've known how to read tabs for awhile, and was browsing youtube for song tabs, and came upon this, while most videos are confusing and don't provide much information on what's really important, this one is, quick, simple, and very accurate. Recommended to a beginner.

[erwincawagas]

tnx sir

[LearnGuitarGuru]

Very straightforward - and that's really all there is to it!

[TheAegia]

very clear... thanks

[Flowergurl0892]

It's a minute long&&I understood it pretty well, while others take 5 minutes to explain something so simple -_-

By the way; Thank you :)

[supernatural093]

I still don't get it... :'((

[MrAppolo777]

Fuckin awesome lesson dude really clear and fast THUMBS ALL THE WAY UP!!!

[SugarMuffin101]

how do u know what finger to use?

[Yeungster23]

Nice, all these videos, with complicated explanations, yet this one helps the most. Thanks

[keenex143]

thanks a lot sir,,

im a lil bit confuse..

how can you determine if the tab is a chord or a picking?

[gchguitaracademy]

@keenex143 If a chord is in the tab (usually) the chord name is displayed above the tablature. On professional tab the chord name will always be there, however in some internet tab the chord name will be missing.

If the chord names are missing, only practise and experience will allow you to work out the chord or if several tab notes occur in a vertical line then this is a chord.

[weebisoka]

isn't tab read from bottom to top?

[gchguitaracademy]

@weebisoka NO . . . Tab is read in the same way you are reading this, Left to right. If you read from bottom to top every chord would have to be raked are arpeggiated.

[brandonshanexox]

you said one minute but it was really 1:06 :P sorry i am being a fag

[norwaygngzta]

Very good !

[Str8Ezy]

THANKS!!! This really Helped me :)

[MrCrookiemonster]

Cheers, I had no idea how tablature worked, now I do.

[GraceNJackie]

pretty good pretty good

[govindseva]

intresting how this tought me

[shikamaruchick988]

isnt the thickest line on top?

[gchguitaracademy]

@shikamaruchick988 No, the line representing the thickest string is on the bottom.

This is because it is written in the same way as music with the deepest note on the bottom and the highest note on the top. At first it is confusing, but you will soon get used to it if you practise reading tab.

[shikamaruchick988]

@gchguitaracademy Ah now it makes sense thank you :)

[Hollcall]

Very Clear , Sir. Good Job.

[gchguitaracademy]

@Hollcall thank you

[PaigeTorres]

i dont get it....

[gchguitaracademy]

@PaigeTorres Sorry, I can't be any more clear.

[PaigeTorres]

@gchguitaracademy Lol. it's okay .. well i really do give you thanks :D

[takeo1969]

@PaigeTorres I do not speak english but I got it!!!

[PaigeTorres]

@takeo1969 Lol.this sucks. i still dont get it.. what language you speak?

[takeo1969]

@PaigeTorres Japanese and spanish

[vickie2491]

i still dont get it?X(

[Trcls]

sheet music is better than tabs but a lot harder to learn

[gchguitaracademy]

@Trcls

Sorry, but your are wrong . .

Tablature is older than music and was specifically for fretted instruments, whereas music was developed for keyboard instruments and adapted for guitars later. This means music does not accurately represent guitar music.

For example the note ‘E’ in the last space of the staff (329.63 Hz) occurs at least 6 places on a guitar and music has to be modified to tell the guitarist which one to use, where as tab tells the guitarist clearly which note to use.

[Trcls]

@gchguitaracademy thanks for the info dude. what an eye opener.

[NickM95vids]

@gchguitaracademy could u maybe give me a suggestion or link to something that is a good source of info about music theory for someone who doesnt understand much about it?

[UnnowenUzer]

how about timing?

i'm really puzzled about that.

anyway, thanks a mil.

[gchguitaracademy]

@UnnowenUzer Good question . . . For the timing, you really need to learn to read music. In professional tab (not the stuff on tab sites) the music is above the tab so you can read the rhythm.

[04rajz]

tnx

[BladeXYZ16]

wow i finally learned how to read tabs after weeks of searching and it only took one minute. you my friend have just earned yourself a subscriber.

[akel1984]

are tabs on plucking?

[gchguitaracademy]

Yes, Tabs are used for single notes, finger picking and strumming. Basically tabs are used for all guitar techniques.

[thebaberider]

cool thanks

[TheMoles100]

Thanks!! this really helped

[mussica26]

nice video but i do have a question what is a different between a fill dot and a inner empty dot

[gchguitaracademy]

Good Question . .

An empty dot signifies an open string (a string played with no fingers on it)

[Diegoayala43]

this seriously helped thx man

[XIXozzyXIX]

wow i learnd LOL

[TheHopeless4561]

what does X mean?

[gchguitaracademy]

When talking about tab 'X' means a click, which is when you hold a string down enough to mute it, but not to hear a note and then play that string. It sounds like what it is called a click.

An 'X' in a chord map means, don't strum that string.

[goldenmen24]

mute or dont play the string

[gchguitaracademy]

Both depending on the position.

In a normal open chord don't play the string.

But if the 'x' is in the middle of a chord, then mute it, but this is a more advanced technique.

[bankofwank]

I thought I was going to be here all day leanring tablature, well .. that was easy lol. Cheers man!

[TA8AT]

great that was fast thank you

[FernandoRuben23]

hes the dude that does the voice of spongebob narrator"ah another beautiful day at bikini bottom"

[maartenroellekens]

thx

[CelestialTorment]

Learn what he said, practise practise and practise

Then in one week you will be ok, in one month you will be good, and in one year you will be SUPERB at playing the guitar. :))

[bencrazy702]

wow thank you

[ilovesports08]

this helped.

[nedeveram]

the best!

[kenbear2725]

for some reason his voice reminds me of salad fingers

[TbhJamesOwnsYou]

Sammmee XD

[kenbear2725]

lol

[xZjangox]

@kenbear2725 Omg yeah

[dizon96]

@kenbear2725 no offense but whats a sald finger?

[kenbear2725]

@dizon96 i mean salad fingers :) google him

[omfgitsshayable]

@kenbear2725 THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING :D

[twik1994]

thank you very much:D im excited about my guitar lesson on summer i cant w8...YATA~

[ebullientmoxie]

this is the best "how to video"

[aleksadeathmetal]

tnx XD

[noonexd012]

May be i can practice w/out an tutor xD.....

[HeroLyrical09]

That's what I'm doing lol

[IliasPsycho]

hey thanx !!!nice video 5/5..!!!only a question:in a lot of tabs i see things like (7h8,9h10...etc)what exactly are these???

[gchguitaracademy]

This would take another tutorial really but basically, h = hammer on and p = pulloff

[IliasPsycho]

aha ok thanx for the tip!!i m looking forward if u make a tutorial about these things!!;D

[SiRpAnTsPoIsOn654]

did u make the tutorial??

[RDLONG30]

SHORT , SWEET AND HARD TO BEAT.

[doomhunt1]

zomg dude you made my day now i get all this tab mumbo jumbo :)

[rachel668]

that has made it sooo much clearer!! thank you!!! :)

[xchidini]

lol i searched a bit on youtube and seen so many video who is 9 minuts etc...and no help in them.... tihs is 1 min (short) and learned some :) 5/5 rate.....btw: 0:55 the "0" is on a string over the the point....

[ballerkobex]

simple and easy to understand :)

5 stars :D

[fob593]

but how can we read how to strum it? like up and down or just down or a certain way? ty.

[gchguitaracademy]

This is another lesson, I will try to make one soon. But in the mean time try searching youtube I am sure someone else has done a lesson on plectrum directions.

[xxxxgame]

perfect THNX

[yELLoWhaCkErBeAr03]

Wow thanks man!

[lasive]

wow! this is the best " how to learn guitar TAB " on youtube!!!

[XxXdeadRISExXx]

wow, this is somthing my guitar teacher took 6 weeks to teach the class. you taught me in a minute.

[jimijamesmorris]

hope he dont charge by the hour

[D3NnyZSAnCH3z]

yeah i dont get it????????

[catNdawg]

after 5 months i learn it!!!!!!!!

[guggs007]

thank u..

[breathingworld]

Thanks!!

[TrunkMonkey420]

amazing vid i think i just came a little thanks so much man that really helped

[ps3abc123]

thanks dude that was awsome :P

[bombsquad487]

wow ur vid was way better than the nine minute 1 i just watched which i didnt understand

[T1993J]

Dude Thankxxx alot for the video i was jast about to break my coz i didn´t get the tabs but ur video is so simple and easy to understand unlike some other videos thankxx again,,,..

[PutrescentSoul]

oh wow....now this makes it all easier..dang people making it all difficult!! thanks.

[MinxZone]

1:04 (zero) 0 showed wrong. :) but very good tutorial

[Eddieaz456]

helps me alot :)

[famous672]

wait sorry im hella dumb on this vidio the thinest string is on the top??? but when u have the guitar its on the bottom...how does that work? plz answer asap

[gchguitaracademy]

The thin string is the highest pitched string, and when you are talking about a musical instrument you refer to the pitch of the string, not its position.

[GreenAsJade]

This lesson so blows the others out of the water it's amazing.

Clear concise. Well done!!!

[kacpi285]

Thanks Man ;))

[BargainBucketHead]

LIFE SAVER THANKS !!!!!

[ffsnah123]

omfg u make it so simple in so little time thanks very much!!!!

[guitarilove]

thanks

[gormaz13]

THANKS MAN!!!!

[Overzelousepanda]

thks so mutch im onley 11 and my 14 year old brther plays bass and now i can beat him without him knowing yay!!!!

[gchguitaracademy]

LOL

[brefool93]

holy crap i understand.

uhm,

your amazing...

ha. i was sooo frusterated...