TAB "primer" ?

[scottd301]

does anyone out there? or neil have a Primer on the symbols and notations used in TAB? would be helpful to this newbie.

thanks

[AcousticAl]

Hi Scottd301,

I don't think there's anything on TG for that- but I just did a quick search on google of 'how to use tab, guitar' and had endless choices there. Here's one on WikiHow that seems pretty good.

http://www.wikihow.com/Read-Guitar-Tabs

Welcome to the site.


Al

[Chasplaya]

scottd301 wrote:

does anyone out there? or neil have a Primer on the symbols and notations used in TAB? would be helpful to this newbie.

thanks

I see Al has already given you a good steer , just be aware there are no 'International' conventions or rules about tab symbols or notation, different tabbers use different styles although most are beginning to fall into line these days. But its possible to come across someone who just has to be different. One convention that used to appear was an explanation on the notation used explaning what means what! Sadly this doesn't seem to be the case so much nowadays.

PS You might like to go to the Please Intro Yourself Thread, most of us have and its a good place to learn about fellow members

[scottd301]

here are the symbols neal uses that i am unsure of, they are for strums, for the ups or down strokes, whether strumming or picking

there is the straight vertical line | i am assuming this is an up strum or up pick.

there is the two vertical lines connected by a bottom bar, i am assuming a down and up |__|

ther there is the one that looks like an L |_

can anyone decipher?

thanks

[reiver]

Hi Scott

I think that the symbols that you are referring to are below the tab and are used to describe the rhythm - but do not specify up or down strokes. These are determined by the beat within the bar on which the stroke occurs, eg where there are 4 beats in the bar - count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &. The downstrokes are on 1 2 3 and 4, the upstrokes are on the &s.

Hoe this helps to clarify....

r

[AndyT]

Reiver is correct. Those are rhythm marks.

[luckyredcricket]

This is okay, I'm glad I'm learning how to use the forums! I think maybe there should be an intro for absolute beginners because I am not prepared to read any music at all, for one thing.

Is "tablature" the same even as the "sheet music"? I'm hoping not to miss a trick. I'm even wondering if I successfully navigate my way into actual playing if I could revisit what might be helpful to others. Because trying something new is difficult no matter what and it's eaay to be confused. As in, I just successfully tuned a guitar for the first time and I feel sort of exhilarated. And that might not occur to someone else. So I've been thinking I really should take advantage of all of the online sessions and so on just so that I CAN learn it on the computer. It's better I think to fully explore the site and to take advantage in any way as you are kind of puzzling it out in a room by yourself. So join the community and so on.