Question

Note: This is NOT a question. This is a tutorial.

This is the second installment to my anthology on tutorials on reading tablatures. To see the first lesson, go to http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/4fac8fb4e4b059b524f8492c

Answer 1

Second Lesson: The Numbers

When we look at a tablature we will see numbers. For example:

E -----3-3-5-5-3-1-1-0-0------------------
B -1-1-------------------3-3-1------------
G ----------------------------------------
D ----------------------------------------
A ----------------------------------------
E ----------------------------------------

\(\small \textit{Twinkle Twinke Little Star tabs}\)

Numbers in tablatures usually range from 0 to 22/24. Why? It has something to do with what these numbers represent. These nummbers correspond to a certain fret in the guitar. 0 corresponds to an open fret (or an open string); 1 corresponds to the first fret; 2 corresponds to the second fret, and so on. So, why does it range up to 22/24? That is because guitars commonly have 22 up to 24 frets (acoustic guitars usually have 22 while electric guitars usually have 24). So, how can we use these numbers to play songs? For example, the tablature I posted above is the tablature for the nursery rhyme, Twinklw Twinkle Little Star.

In the first lesson, we learned that the lines represent the strings of the guitar. In this lesson, we learned that the numbers represent the frets. Combining these bits of information, we can play *ordinary* tabs. How to play the song posted above? First, we pluck the B string with the other hand pressing down the B string on the first fret. Then, we pluck it again (first fret still held down). Then, we pluck the E string on the third fret. We pluck again. Then we move our hand to the fifth fret, and pluck it again. Then, we pluck again. Basically, this is how we follow the tabs.Note that we read the tab from left to right. Whichever number is on the left, that's what we play first. As we read them more, we grow more accustomed to it and become able to play it quickly withut thinking.


Here is another tablature to practice on:

E ---------|--------|-------|-------|-------|
B ---------|--------|-3-3-0-|-3-3-0-|-1-1---|
G -0-2-0---|0-2-0--|-------|-------|-----0-|
D -------2-|------2-|-------|-------|-------|
A ---------|--------|-------|-------|-------|
E ---------|--------|-------|-------|-------|


E -----------------|-----------------|-----1-------0-|
B -----1-0---------|-----1-0---------|-3-3-----0-1---|
G -2-2-----2-0-2--|-2-2-----2-0-2---|-------0-------|
D ---------------2-|---------------2-|---------------|
A -----------------|-----------------|---------------|
E -----------------|-----------------|---------------|


E ---------------|-------------------------
B -1-------------|-------------------------
G ---0---0-------|-------------------------
D -----2---3-0---|-------------------------
A -------------3-|-------------------------
E ---------------|-------------------------

\(\small \textit{Silent Night tablature}\)

Answer 2

Thanks, I really appreciate this a lot. By the way, can you fan me? I can never message you because you don't except messages from people you're not a fan of. :) Haha

Answer 3

@lgbasallote is getting popular.

Answer 4

Nice tutorial, btw :) props

Answer 5

@rebeccaskell94 jelly haha

and if you think it's so iece go medal it :P

Answer 6

nice*

Answer 7

Awesome!

Answer 8

Thank I'll be using this! I'm learning guitar!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

good job *thumbs up* :)

Answer 10

d(*_*)b

Answer 11

...

Answer 12

i just realized i never followed this up lol

Answer 13

what do you mean?

Answer 14

i was supposed to make an anthology composed of a lot of parts about this topic...i never followed this up

Answer 15

haha oh well that's ok :) this was helpful enough :p

Answer 16

girl