For centuries musicians have relied on sheet music to compose, learn, and perform songs. This tried and true system of musical notation is universally recognized among musicians the world over, allowing clear and concise communication across language barriers. Furthermore, sheet music transcends instruments, applying to all musical forms ranging from voice to guitar to xylophone.

In recent years an alternative to sheet music has erupted in popularity. Guitar tablature (or tab, as it is often called) is a method of musical notation in which the string and fret numbers are indicated as opposed to musical notes on a scale. This allows for quick reading and understanding while allowing musicians who are not trained to read sheet music a simple method of learning and transcribing songs.

Tablature is not exactly a new method of notating stringed instruments. In fact some historians credit the invention of tab to lute players in the 1400’s who were seeking a quick and easy method to teach and learn new songs. 

Reading tab is very simple, keeping in mind a few tips and rules. The primary structure of a tab notation is the tab staff, which is a series of parallel lines laid out horizontally, each representing a string on a guitar. Standard six-string guitar tab, therefore has six lines, whereas standard bass tab has only four.

The lines are laid out with the lowest notes at the bottom of the tab staff, so the low “E” string on a standard tuned guitar is represented by the bottom line of the staff, and the high “E” string is represented by the top line of the staff.

Frets are indicated by numbers, which are written on the tab staff. These numbers begin at “0” which indicates an open string and range up to 19-24, depending on the number of frets n the guitar, and the notes used in the song.

Guitar tab is read from left to right and top to bottom, just like sheet music or prose. Finger placement is simply indicated by writing the number of the desired fret on the desired string.  As the song progresses the desired frets are recorded along this pattern, with each new note being represented by a new number. If multiple strings are plucked at the same time, those frets are grouped together vertically, occupying the same plane on the tab staff. In this way, it is possible to notate chords as opposed to being stuck with single notes.

Beyond this basic notation, there are some advanced methods in guitar tablature, which allow a greater versatility for players and songwriters to accurately reflect multiple guitar techniques.

Many songs utilize palm-muting, which is a technique in which the guitarist uses their strumming hand, placed against the bridge, to mute the string. Another option is to mute strings with the fret hand. In either case, and “x” is used to indicate a muted string. Note that a muted string is actually strummed. If a string is not strummed in a particular area, there is simply no number placed at that point in the tab.

Sliding, which is a method of playing that entails keeping your fingers pressed onto the frets while sliding your hand to another position on the neck of the guitar, is indicated by either a “/” or a “\” depending on the direction of the slide. For notes that increase in pitch, or move closer to the body of the guitar “/” is used. For decreasing pitch, or toward the head of the guitar.

Hammer-ons and Pull-offs, which are guitar techniques that rely upon using your fret hand to make a sound without strumming, wither by slamming a finger to a different fret (hammer-on), or pulling a finger off of one fret to cause a lower fingered fret to resonate (pull-off), can be easily notated in tab. Most tabs simply use the lowercase letter “h” to indicate a hammer-on and the lowercase letter “p” to indicate a pull-off. These letters are typically placed in between the affected fret numbers, such as “2h4” or “11p9” The “^” symbol is sometimes substituted as a universally symbol for wither hammer-ons or pull-offs with the direction of the numbers indicating which technique is to be used. Hammer-ons will always go to a higher number, whereas pull-offs will always go to a lower number.

While tab is very simple to understand and carries several advantages to sheet music, there are several distinct disadvantages to using tab in songwriting.  Primary among these flaws is a distinct lack of standard meter notation. There is no universal method of notating meter, note duration, or speed in tab. This means that to learn the song accurately, musicians will often need to hear the song.  Tab is also limited entirely to stringed, fretted instruments. You cannot utilize tab for piano or tuba.

Fortunately, there are conversion methods available for the non-trained musician who wishes to incorporate a range of instruments into their piece. There is a wide range of affordable computer programs that will convert imported audio into sheet music, including Finale Notepad (www.finalemusic.com/notepad/default.aspx) which is available for free download.

It is advisable for any musician pursuing a career in the music business to master the art of reading sheet music. Many jobs as a session player or studio performer will require the ability to sight-read, or play sheet music that is set in front of you in time with little to no prior practice. However for the DIY guitarist, the up and coming songwriter, or the hobbyist guitar tab is a perfectly suitable way to notate and learn guitar. Guitar tab for thousands of published songs can be found with a simple web search including the name of the desired song and the words “guitar tab.” When using guitar tabs found online, do keep in mind that many of these are written by guitarists who heard the song, identified the notes by ear, and wrote what they thought the song sounded like. These may not always be accurate, and if a particular note sounds off, experiment with it until it sounds right to you.