Guitar 5 min read
How to Read Guitar Tab: Strings, Frets, and a First Riff
Decode the six lines and fret numbers in guitar tablature, then play a three-note E–F–G example on the high e string.
Guitar tab · standard tuning
Top line, frets 0–1–3: E–F–G
A practice loop you can reuse
Try it in four steps
- 1Find the labeled string
- 2Read the fret number
- 3Play left to right
- 4Check the rhythm by ear
Match each line to a string
Guitar tablature, or tab, uses six horizontal lines. The top line is the high e string, the thinnest string; the bottom line is the low E string, the thickest. From top to bottom in standard tuning, the lines are e, B, G, D, A, E.
This is a picture of strings, not a five-line music staff. First find the string named at the left of the tab. Then read the number printed on that line to choose a fret.
Numbers tell you where to play
A 0 means play an open string. A 1 means press the first fret, and a 3 means press the third fret. Read a sequence from left to right. In the example above, 0–1–3 on the high e string produces E–F–G in standard tuning.
Numbers stacked vertically mean play those strings together. Numbers placed one after another mean play them in sequence. Fret numbers are positions, not finger numbers: use a comfortable finger to press the fret unless a lesson gives a specific fingering.
- Top line: high e string; bottom line: low E string.
- 0: open string; 1: first fret; 3: third fret.
- Read across the page to know which note comes next.
Add timing to the notes
The fret numbers alone do not tell you exactly how long to hold each note. Some tabs add stems, note values, or spacing for rhythm; others expect you to listen to the song. For this short exercise, give E, F, and G one steady beat each.
Count “1, 2, 3” aloud as you play 0, 1, and 3. Repeat at a slow pace, then reverse the order: 3, 1, 0. Keep the pulse even while your finger moves to a new fret.
Write and check a small tab
Open the Tab Editor and enter the three fret numbers on the top string. Play the notes on the Guitar page to hear the pitches, then try writing a different three-note pattern. Use the Note Map when you want to connect a fret position with a note name.