Chord Notation
It's better to show thru an example:
Ex. 3 2 0 0 0 1
Low E string 3rd fret, A string 2nd fret,
D, G, and B strings open,
High E string 1st fret.
That is the G 7 chord.
The letter x tells us to either mute (hold softly to stop the sound) a string or
avoid a string.
Ex: x 0 0 3 2 3 (D chord) - We don't touch the low E string when playing a D chord.
Fingering Notation
t = thumb
i = index
m = middle
r = ring
p = pinky
Ex: G chord - 3 2 0 0 0 3
fingering - m i 0 0 0 r
Put the middle finger on the low E string 3rd fret, put the index finger on the A string
2nd fret, play 3 strings open, put your ring finger on the high E string 3rd fret.
Lead Guitar Notation:
LE = low E string, HE = high E
Low is the string with the lowest sound. High is the one with the highest sound.
A, D, G, B = A string, D string and so on.
Numbers represent frets.
Ex. A1 = A string first fret.
Ex. D4 = D string fourth fret
Ex. B0 = B string open
Ex. HE3 = High E string 3rd fret.
Ex. LE1, LE3, A0, A1, A3, D0, D2, D3
Pick each note from left to right and you have the F major scale (F, G, A, B b, C, D, E, F).
Reading Tablature:
Here is an explanation of traditonal tablature found throughout the net.
First, think about this: LE, A, D, G, B, HE
Six lines are stacked on top of each other. The lowest line represents the low E string (LE).
The one above that is the A string. Which one comes next? That's right. The D string and so on.
So let's say the number 4 is on the A string. We would pick the A string 4th fret.
More info about tabs:
If you see all the numbers above one another in a straight line then you play them all at once.
If they are on different lines then you pick each individual note.
/ represents an ascending slide. \ represents a descending slide.
Ex. / 5 \ 3 - This means to slide up to the 5th fret and then slide down to the 3rd fret.
s represents slides in general.
s6 - This means to slide either up or down to the 6th fret.
p represents pull offs. Therefore p9 means to pull off the 9th fret.
h represents hammer ons. Therefore h7 means to play the 7 fret open and then quickly
play the 7th fret.
b represents string bends. r tells us to return the string to it's unbent state.
v or ~ (sometimes two or three ~'s in a row) represents vibrato.
t represents tapping.
x tells us to mute a string (put your finger on the string softly so
it will not make a sound)
Final info about tabs:
The downside to tab is we don't know the rythym. So one must listen to the song. Unlike
guitar notes where the rythym is wrote out for us.