What the "How Soon Is Now" tab shows you

The "How Soon Is Now" tab is a written version of the guitar part from The Smiths' 1984 song, using numbers on horizontal lines to show you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. Each line represents a string on your guitar, and each number tells you which fret to press. The tab does not show rhythm or timing the way sheet music does — you learn the rhythm by listening to the song itself or by reading the tab alongside a video tutorial.

Most tabs for this song focus on the main riff that repeats throughout the track. That riff is played on the lower strings and uses a picking pattern that gives the song its recognizable sound. The tab will show you the fret numbers in sequence, left to right, so you play them in order from start to finish.

Key Takeaways

  • The tab uses six horizontal lines representing your six guitar strings, with numbers showing which fret to press on each string.
  • Most "How Soon Is Now" tabs focus on the main riff, which repeats and forms the backbone of the song.
  • You need to listen to the original song or watch a tutorial video to learn the timing and rhythm — the tab alone does not show when to play each note.
  • The song uses standard tuning, so you do not need to retune your guitar before starting.
  • Tabs from different sources may vary slightly in accuracy, so comparing a few versions helps you find the most reliable one.

How to read the tab layout

A guitar tab shows six horizontal lines stacked vertically. From top to bottom, they represent the high E string, B string, G string, D string, A string, and low E string. Numbers placed on these lines tell you which fret to press. A "0" means play the string open (without pressing any fret). A "1" means press the first fret, a "2" means the second fret, and so on.

When numbers are stacked vertically on top of each other, you play them at the same time — that is a chord. When numbers are placed side by side horizontally, you play them one after another in sequence. The tab reads from left to right, just like reading text.

Some tabs include letters or symbols above the numbers to mark sections of the song — for example, "Intro," "Verse," or "Chorus." These help you navigate the tab and understand where you are in the song structure.

The main riff and how it sits on the fretboard

The signature riff of "How Soon Is Now" is played primarily on the lower strings and involves a repeating pattern. Most tabs show this riff starting on the D string or A string, using frets in the lower range (typically frets 0 through 5). The pattern repeats throughout the intro, verses, and other sections, which is why learning it well gives you a strong foundation for the whole song.

The riff uses a picking technique where you alternate between single notes and may include some muted or dampened strings to create texture. The exact picking pattern is easier to learn by watching a video of someone playing it than by reading the tab alone, because the tab does not show which direction to pick or how long to hold each note.

Where to find reliable tabs

Websites like Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, and Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar host thousands of user-submitted tabs. Search for "How Soon Is Now tab" and you will see multiple versions. Look for tabs with high ratings or many positive comments, as these tend to be more accurate. Many pages also include user comments pointing out errors or suggesting corrections.

YouTube tutorials often pair a video of someone playing the song with the tab displayed on screen. Watching and listening at the same time helps you understand the rhythm and timing that the tab alone cannot convey. Some creators slow down the playback speed so you can follow along more easily.

Learning the rhythm and timing

The tab shows you which notes to play and where on the fretboard, but it does not show you how long to hold each note or when to play them relative to the beat. You learn this by listening to the original recording repeatedly and by watching tutorial videos where someone plays the riff in real time.

Start by playing along with the song at normal speed, even if you make mistakes. Your ear will gradually pick up the timing. If you struggle, slow down the song using a tool like Audacity (free software) or YouTube's playback speed control. Many guitarists find that slowing the song to 75 or 80 percent of normal speed makes it much easier to hear each note and match the picking pattern.

Common mistakes when learning from tabs

The biggest mistake is assuming the tab shows everything you need to know. Tabs are a map of the fretboard, not a complete musical score. You will miss the rhythm, the dynamics (how hard or soft to play), and the overall feel of the song if you rely only on the numbers.

Another common issue is playing the wrong version. Some tabs show simplified versions meant for beginners, while others attempt to capture every detail of the original recording. If a tab feels too straightforward or too hard, try a different version. Reading comments on the tab page often reveals whether users found it accurate or spotted errors.

Finally, do not assume all tabs are in standard tuning. Most "How Soon Is Now" tabs are, but always check the top of the tab to confirm the tuning before you start. If the tuning is different from standard, you will need to retune your guitar or the notes will sound wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to read music notation to use a guitar tab?

No. Guitar tabs use only numbers and lines, not musical notation. You do not need to know how to read sheet music or understand concepts like quarter notes or eighth notes to follow a tab. However, listening to the song and watching videos will teach you the timing that the tab does not show.

What if the tab I found does not sound right when I play it?

Try a different version from another website. Tabs are user-submitted and vary in accuracy. Compare two or three versions side by side, or watch a tutorial video to hear how the riff should sound. If most tabs agree on the fret numbers but one does not, the majority version is usually correct.

Can I learn this song without a tab?

Yes, but it takes longer. You can listen to the song and figure out the notes by ear, trying different frets until you find the ones that match. Many guitarists do this as a way to train their ear. A tab straightforward speeds up the process by showing you where to look on the fretboard.

Is "How Soon Is Now" a hard song to play?

The main riff is moderate in difficulty. It does not require complex finger stretches or fast picking, but it does require steady rhythm and clean muting of the strings you are not playing. Most intermediate beginners can learn it within a few practice sessions if they listen carefully to the original song.

Should I use a pick or my fingers to play this riff?

Most players use a pick. The tab does not specify, but watching a tutorial video will show you the picking technique used in the original recording. Some players use fingerstyle (fingers instead of a pick), and both approaches work — choose whichever feels more comfortable to you.