What the Tab Shows You

The tab for "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" is a six-line diagram that maps where your fingers go on the fretboard. Each line represents one string on your guitar, from the thickest string at the bottom (low E) to the thinnest at the top (high E). Numbers on those lines tell you which fret to press. The song's opening riff—the part most people recognize—uses the lower strings and sits in the first few frets, making it a good starting point even if you have not played lead guitar before.

This Stones track is famous for its long instrumental section, and the tab breaks that section into manageable pieces. You will see the main riff repeated, then variations that move up and down the neck. The tab does not show you rhythm or timing on its own, so you will need to listen to the recording while you read the numbers. That combination—seeing where to put your fingers and hearing the timing—is how you learn the song.

Key Takeaways

  • The opening riff uses mostly the low E and A strings in the first five frets, so start there before moving to the higher variations.
  • Tab shows fret numbers but not timing, so play along with the original recording to hear how fast each note should be.
  • The song has a main riff that repeats with small changes, then longer passages that climb higher on the neck—learn the main riff first.
  • Mick Taylor's original uses a lot of bending and sliding, which the tab marks with symbols like ~ (bend) and / (slide).
  • You can find multiple versions of this tab online, and they sometimes disagree on exact frets—compare a few sources and trust your ear.

Reading the Symbols in the Tab

Beyond the basic numbers, tab uses shorthand symbols to show techniques. A slash (/) means slide—play one fret, then slide your finger up or down to the next fret without lifting off the string. A tilde (~) means bend—push the string up or down to raise the pitch. A hyphen (-) connects notes on the same string so you know they are played in sequence. A pipe (|) marks a measure line, which helps you stay organized when reading longer sections.

The song uses slides and bends throughout, especially in the opening riff. When you see a number followed by a slash and another number, like "5/7", play the 5th fret, then slide up to the 7th without stopping. Bends are marked differently depending on the tab source—some show "b5" to mean "bend up to the 5th fret" and "r5" to mean "release back to the 5th fret." Check the legend at the top of your tab to see which system it uses.

Learning the Opening Riff First

Start with the first eight bars of the song. This is the riff that plays over and over at the beginning, and it is the part most people recognize. It sits on the low E and A strings and uses frets 5, 7, and 8 mostly. Play it slowly at first—half speed or even slower—so you can see where your fingers need to go without rushing. Use your index finger for the 5th fret, your middle finger for the 7th, and your ring finger for the 8th. This finger placement keeps your hand in one position and makes the riff flow.

Once you can play the riff without looking at your fingers, add the slides. The original recording has smooth, confident slides between notes. Practice the slide motion separately: press a fret, then drag your finger along the string to the next fret without lifting off. Do this slowly until it feels natural. Then combine the slides with the riff. The timing should match the recording—if you are rushing or dragging, slow down your practice speed and use a metronome set to half the song's tempo.

Moving to the Higher Passages

After the opening riff repeats a few times, the tab shows the solo climbing higher on the neck. These passages use the D, G, and B strings and move into frets 10 through 15. The technique is the same—slides and bends connect the notes—but your hand position shifts. Move your index finger to the 10th fret and keep the same finger spacing (index on 10, middle on 12, ring on 14). This keeps the passages smooth and prevents you from jumping around the neck.

The higher sections also use more bending. A bend means pushing the string up (or sometimes down) to raise the pitch without moving your finger to a different fret. For example, "b12" means push the string at the 12th fret upward until it sounds like the 13th or 14th fret. The tab should tell you how many frets to bend—usually a quarter bend (slight), half bend (medium), or full bend (one full fret). Listen to the recording to hear how much the note bends, then match that sound with your finger pressure.

Matching Your Playing to the Recording

The tab gives you the notes, but the recording gives you the feel. Play the song while listening to the original, and pause whenever you hear something that does not match your tab. This usually means one of three things: the tab has a wrong fret number, you are playing the right fret but at the wrong speed, or you are missing a bend or slide. Check your tab against another source online—sites like Ultimate Guitar and Songsterr often have multiple versions. If two sources agree and one does not, trust the majority.

Pay attention to the rhythm section too. The drums and bass lock into a steady groove, and the guitar riff sits on top of that beat. If you play the riff without the recording, use a metronome or a drum loop so you stay in time. The original tempo is around 120 beats per minute, but start slower and build up speed. Accuracy matters more than speed at first—you can always play faster once your fingers know where to go.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The biggest mistake is trying to play fast before you can play accurately. This song has a lot of movement between frets, and rushing leads to missed notes and sloppy slides. Set your metronome to 60 beats per minute and play the opening riff cleanly at that speed. Once you can do it five times in a row without mistakes, bump the tempo up by 10 beats per minute. This slow build takes patience, but it works.

Another common problem is not bending enough or bending too much. Listen closely to the recording and match the pitch you hear. If your bend sounds flat (too low), push the string harder. If it sounds sharp (too high), ease off slightly. Bending is a feel thing—the tab can only tell you which fret to start on, not exactly how much pressure to use. Your ear is the final judge.

Finally, do not assume your first tab source is correct. Tab is created by people listening to recordings and writing down what they hear, and ears disagree. If a fret number sounds wrong when you play it, try the fret above or below it. Trust what sounds right over what the tab says. Once you find the correct version, you can move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tuning does the song use?

Standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E from lowest to highest string). No alternate tuning is needed. If your tab mentions a different tuning, check another source—most versions use standard.

Do I need to use a pick or my fingers?

The original uses a pick for the main riff and some passages, then switches to fingerstyle for other parts. Start with a pick for the opening riff since it is easier to control the slides. As you get comfortable, experiment with both techniques and see which feels better to you.

How long does it usually take to learn this song?

The opening riff can take a few weeks of regular practice if you are a beginner. The full solo takes longer because it has more passages and techniques. Expect two to three months of steady practice to play the whole thing smoothly, depending on your experience level.

Where can I find a reliable tab for this song?

Ultimate Guitar, Songsterr, and Chordify all have versions. Compare at least two sources to spot errors. Songsterr is helpful because it plays the tab back to you, so you can hear what the notes should sound like.

Should I memorize the tab or read it while I play?

Read it at first. Once you have played the riff 20 or 30 times, your fingers will start to remember the pattern. Memorization happens naturally—do not force it. Being able to read the tab while you play is a useful skill on its own.