Guitar Highway › How to read tab
How to read guitar tab, in 3 lines
Guitar tab (TAB) writes down which string and which fret to play as numbers. You don't need to read standard notation — just follow the numbers.
How to read tab in 3 lines
- Six horizontal lines = six guitar strings. The top line is string 1 (the thinnest, high e); the bottom line is string 6 (the thickest, low E).
- A number on a line = the fret. 0 is an open string (press nothing); 5 means press the 5th fret of that string.
- Read left to right. Numbers stacked vertically are played together, like a chord.
Example: a riff on the first string
e|--0--7--0--5--0--3--5--7--| B|--------------------------| G|--------------------------| D|--------------------------| A|--------------------------| E|--------------------------|
The whole riff is on string 1: open (0), 7th fret, open, 5th fret, and so on. (It's the first bar of Guitar Highway's original theme song.)
The weak point of tab — rhythm
Tab numbers alone don't tell you how long a note rings or what the rhythm is. That's why tab is often shown with note shapes or learned together with a recording.
How tab looks in Guitar Highway
- Lanes = tab strings. By default the lanes use Tab order (string 1 on left), so the highway looks like tab turned upright.
- Numbers = frets. Each falling note shows its fret number.
- Length = rhythm. A longer block rings longer. Play it as it crosses the line to get PERFECT.
- Finger numbers. The circled number beside a note is the finger to use (1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 pinky).
- Prefer the view you get looking down at your guitar? Switch to Guitar order (string 6 on left) under Play settings › String order.
If you already have tab files (Guitar Pro .gp5 and similar), you can import them as they are and practice.
FAQ
What's the difference between tab and standard notation?
Standard notation writes pitch and rhythm the same way for every instrument. Tab writes the string and fret on the guitar as numbers. Tab says little about rhythm, which is worth knowing.
What does 0 mean in tab?
An open string: you play that string without pressing any fret.
What's the difference between Tab order and Guitar order?
In Tab order, string 1 (high e) is on the left. In Guitar order, string 6 is on the left, like looking down at your guitar. You can switch in Play settings › String order.
Can the app create a tab file?
No. The app is for practice: you can bring in a score photo, a PDF, MusicXML or a Guitar Pro file, fix the notes in the editor and practice, but it doesn't export tab files.