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
1 = 1st finger (index)
2 = 2nd finger (middle)
3 = 3rd finger (ring)
4 = 4th finger (pinky)
Remember the numbers on the chart (in the chord picture) are different than the other ones.
The numbers on the chart are for fingering. The other numbers indicate which fret
and string we use for chords.
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. HE3 = High E string 3rd fret.
Ex. D4 = D string fourth fret
Ex. B0 = B string open
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.