What the "Can't Stop" tab shows you

The "Can't Stop" tab is a written-out version of the guitar part from the Red Hot Chili Peppers song, using numbers on horizontal lines to show you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. Instead of reading musical notation, you read the tab line by line from left to right, just like text on a page. Each number tells you which fret to press, and the line it sits on tells you which string.

The song uses a distinctive slap-bass guitar technique mixed with standard picking, so the tab will show both the main riff and variations. Most tabs you find online break the song into sections—intro, verse, chorus, bridge—so you can learn one part at a time rather than the whole thing at once.

Key Takeaways

  • Tab uses six horizontal lines representing the six strings of a guitar, with numbers showing which fret to press on each string.
  • The "Can't Stop" riff relies on a specific picking pattern and rhythm, so watching a video tutorial alongside the tab helps you match the timing.
  • Most online tabs mark the intro riff separately from the verse and chorus, so you can focus on learning the most recognizable part first.
  • The song uses both standard picking and slap techniques, and a good tab will indicate which technique to use at each point.

How to read the six lines of a guitar tab

A guitar tab always shows six horizontal lines stacked on top of each other. From top to bottom, they represent the high E string, B string, G string, D string, A string, and low E string. When you see a number on one of those lines, it means press that fret on that string.

For example, if you see a "3" on the second line from the top (the B string), you place your finger on the third fret of the B string and pluck it. If you see two numbers stacked vertically, play both strings at the same time. If numbers appear side by side horizontally, play them one after the other in the order they appear.

Dashes between numbers show how long to hold a note or how much space is between notes. The more dashes, the longer the pause. This is why watching a video of the song while reading the tab helps—you can hear the rhythm and match it to what you see on the page.

Finding a reliable "Can't Stop" tab online

The most commonly used tab sites are Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, and Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Search for "Can't Stop Red Hot Chili Peppers tab" on any of these, and you will see multiple versions. Look for tabs with high ratings or many user comments, because those have usually been checked by other players and corrected if they were wrong.

Tabs marked as "verified" or "official" on Ultimate Guitar tend to be more accurate than unmarked ones. If you find a tab with comments from other players saying "this part is wrong" or "the timing is off here," read those comments before you start learning. Some tabs also include a difficulty rating, so you can choose between beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions of the same song.

Many tabs come with a video link or a note about which tuning the guitarist used. "Can't Stop" is usually played in standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string), but always check the tab header to be sure before you start.

The intro riff and why it matters

The opening riff of "Can't Stop" is the part most people recognize and want to learn first. It uses a repeating pattern on the lower strings and is played with a specific picking technique that gives it a bouncy, syncopated feel. The tab will show this riff in a loop, meaning you play it over and over with the same finger positions and rhythm.

Learning this riff first gives you a foundation for the rest of the song. Once your fingers know the shape and your hand knows the picking pattern, the verse and chorus become easier because they often reuse parts of the intro. Many online tabs highlight the intro separately, so you can loop just that section while you practice.

Matching the tab to the actual song

Reading tab alone is not enough to sound like the recording. You need to hear the song at the same time so your ears learn the rhythm and timing. Open the tab in one window and play the song on YouTube or Spotify in another, then pause and play small sections repeatedly.

Start with the intro riff at half speed or slower. Most music apps and YouTube have a speed control—use it to slow the song down to 75% or 50% of normal speed while you learn. Once you can play a section cleanly at slow speed, gradually increase the tempo until you match the original recording.

Pay attention to the picking direction marked on the tab. Downstrokes and upstrokes (shown as symbols like "v" and "^" on some tabs) affect how the riff sounds. If your version sounds harsh or uneven compared to the recording, check whether you are picking in the right direction.

Handling the slap technique sections

Part of "Can't Stop" uses a slap-bass style technique on the guitar, where you strike the string with your thumb or the side of your hand to create a percussive sound. A good tab will mark these sections with "S" or "slap" so you know when to switch from regular picking to this technique.

If you have never done slap technique before, watch a tutorial video specifically about it before trying to play those sections. It is a different hand motion than regular picking, and the tab alone will not show you how to do it. Once you understand the motion, the tab numbers still tell you which frets to press—the only difference is how you strike the string.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when numbers are stacked vertically on the tab?

Stacked numbers mean you play those frets at the same time on different strings. For example, if you see a 3 on the high E string and a 5 on the B string directly below it, press both frets and pluck both strings together to create a chord or interval.

Can I learn "Can't Stop" if I am a beginner?

The intro riff is learnable for beginners, but it requires clean finger placement and a steady picking hand. Start with a beginner-level tab and practice slowly. The slap sections and faster passages are harder and may take longer to master.

Why does my version sound different from the recording even though I am reading the tab correctly?

Tab shows you which frets to press but not always how hard to pick, how long to hold notes, or which picking technique to use. Watch a video of someone playing the song to hear the tone and feel, then adjust your picking pressure and speed to match.

Do I need to tune my guitar differently to play this song?

Most versions of "Can't Stop" use standard tuning. Check the header of your tab to confirm, but if it does not say otherwise, standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) is correct.

Where can I find a tab that shows both the intro and the full song?

Most tabs on Ultimate Guitar and Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com show the entire song broken into sections. Look for a tab with high ratings and read the comments to see if users mention whether all sections are included and accurate.