Tablature

A notation for stringed instruments in which each line stands for a string and each number gives the fret to be pressed.

Tablature removes the hardest part of reading music for a guitarist, which is deciding where on the neck a written note should be played, by naming the string and fret directly. Its weakness is rhythm: most tab gives only the fret numbers, so the timing has to be learned from a recording or from standard notation alongside it. Reading tab also encourages dependence on shapes rather than sounds, which is why teachers usually introduce both systems together.

Example: A beginner learning a blues shuffle from tab will know which frets to press immediately, but still has to listen to the record to find the rhythm.

Tablature

See also