Reading Music: Tablature

Tablature is a simple system for indicating where notes are to be played on the fret board. Any fretted instrument can use tablature, but the tablature for each instrument is specifically structured for that instrument.

In tablature, each line represents a string, with the lowest pitched string on the bottom. This corresponds with your perspective as you look at the strings in playing position;

Numbers are placed on the lines which tell you what fret to play on a particular string. Below is bass tablature for a C major scale including corresponding standard notation with fingering;

Italic numbers indicate left hand fingering.

The tablature above shows you precisely where to play each note, but not what the note actually is. Notation shows you what note to play, but not where. However, notation can go a little further than this example. Strings can be indicated in notation by means of circled numbers;

Still, even with string numbers, notation still leaves you to figure out on which fret to play each note. Of course, you really should know that, just as you really should be able to name the notes. Neither tablature nor notation will quite spell it all out for you. Learning the fret board itself is the piece of the puzzle.

If you can visualize the positions of the seven natural tones, C D E F G A B, on the fret board, then it will be easier to make the connection between the notes on the page and the notes you play.