Guitar tablature (tabs) is the fastest way to learn songs on guitar. No music theory required — just numbers and lines.
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What Is a Guitar Tab?
A tab shows the 6 strings of your guitar as 6 horizontal lines. The numbers tell you which fret to press.
e|-------|
B|-------|
G|-------|
D|-------|
A|-------|
E|-------|
Top line = high E (thinnest string). Bottom line = low E (thickest string).
Reading the Numbers
e|---0---| Play open high E
B|---1---| Press 1st fret on B string
G|---2---| Press 2nd fret on G string
D|---3---| Press 3rd fret on D string
A|---0---| Play open A string
E|---3---| Press 3rd fret on low E
This is a C chord in tab form.
Common Tab Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
h | Hammer-on (5h7) |
p | Pull-off (7p5) |
b | Bend (7b9) |
s or / | Slide up (5/7) |
\ | Slide down (7\5) |
~ | Vibrato |
x | Mute/dead note |
PM | Palm mute |
Where to Find Tabs
- Ultimate Guitar (ultimate-guitar.com) — largest free database
- Songsterr — interactive tabs with playback
- YouTube tutorials with tabs on screen
Practice Tip
Start with simple riffs, not full songs. Learn the riff from “Smoke on the Water” or “Seven Nation Army” first.
Want a chord reference to go with your tabs? Our Guitar Chord Encyclopedia has every chord shape you need.
Tabs are your shortcut to playing real songs fast. Start reading today.