GUITAR TABS: HOW TO READ THEM
Tablature or Tab is a very important tool that allows guitar players to easily learn how to play melodies, scales, chords and songs.
The six strings of the guitar are represented by six horizontal lines on the tab sheet. The top line represents the high E string of the guitar and the bottom line represents the low E string of the guitar. This can seem a bit counterintuitive to some people so just remember that the top line is the thinnest string and you are good to go.
On top of each string, a number is placed that represents the guitar fret that must be pressed. In the example on the left, you should press the 3rd fret on 5th string (A string) with your left hand (fretting hand) and play that string with your right hand (strumming hand).
When numbers appear in sequence, you must play one note after another. In the example on the right, you should play the 5th fret on A string, then the 7th fret on A string, then 5thfret on D string, and so on.
The number “0” represents the open string. This means that you don’t have to press any fret while playing that string. Here, the B string (2nd string) should be played open.