The guitar is a very popular instrument that can bring us endless fun and creativity. If you are a guitar beginner, it is very important to learn guitar tabs because it is the basis for learning guitar. In this article, we will introduce you to the basic knowledge and introductory skills of guitar tablature.

What is guitar tab?

Guitar tab is a type of musical notation used to represent notes and chords. Guitar tabs usually consist of six horizontal lines, each representing a string on the guitar. Numbers and symbols are placed on these lines to represent notes and chords. Guitar tabs are one of the most commonly used forms of music notation among guitarists.

Basic guitar tab notation

Before learning guitar tab, you need to understand some basic notation. Here are some commonly used symbols:

-Number: indicates which fret the string is pressed on.

-"h": stands for "hammer-on", which means hitting the string with your fingers without strumming it to make a sound.

-"p": stands for "pull-off", which means that after pressing the string, take your finger off the string to make the sound.

-"/": represents "portamento", which means that after pressing the string, slide your finger to another fret to make it produce continuous notes.

-"\": stands for "anti-glissando", which means that after pressing the string, slide your finger in the opposite direction to another fret to produce a continuous note.

-"x": means no strings are played.

How to read guitar tab

The first step in learning guitar tab is to know how to read it. Here are some basic steps:

1. Understand the layout of guitar tabs. Guitar tabs are made up of six horizontal lines, each representing a string on the guitar. The top line represents the highest string, and the bottom line represents the lowest string.

2. Learn the meaning of numbers. The number indicates at which fret the string is pressed. For example, the number "3" represents pressing the string at the third fret.

3. Learn the meaning of symbols. The symbols represent the guitarist's technique during playing. For example, "h" stands for "hammer-on," which means striking the string with your fingers without strumming it, causing it to produce a sound.

4. Practice reading guitar tabs. Choose a simple song, read the guitar tab and try playing it.

How to write guitar tabs

Learning how to write guitar tabs is also very important. Here are some basic steps:

1. Decide on the song you want to write. Choose a song you like and find its lyrics and melody.

2. Determine the chord. On each beat of the song, determine the corresponding chord. You can use guitar chord charts to help you determine the chords.

3. Write the chords on the guitar tab. Write each chord in its corresponding place on the guitar tab. You can use the symbols mentioned above to represent techniques.

4. Add melody. If you want to add a melody to your guitar tab, you can add numbers and symbols in the corresponding positions.

5. Practice playing. Practice playing the guitar tabs you've written, and keep revising them until you're satisfied.