Adding Tablature to Your Guitar Pro File

Guitar Pro lets you add tablature (tab) notation to any score you create or import. The tab appears below the standard musical staff and shows exactly which fret and string to play each note on. You add it by selecting the staff, turning on the tab view, and then entering fret numbers directly into the tab lines — or Guitar Pro can convert your existing notation into tab automatically.

The process takes just a few clicks, and you can show tab, standard notation, or both at the same time. If you already have notes written in standard notation, Guitar Pro will generate the tab for you based on the instrument's tuning. If you're starting from scratch, you can enter fret numbers straight into the tab staff.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the score, right-click the staff you want to add tab to, and select "Add Tablature" from the menu to enable tab view for that instrument.
  • Guitar Pro automatically converts existing standard notation into tab based on the instrument's tuning and string configuration.
  • You can enter fret numbers directly into the tab staff by clicking a tab line, typing the fret number, and pressing Enter to move to the next note.
  • Use the View menu to show tab only, notation only, or both side by side, depending on what you need for your score.
  • If the auto-generated tab doesn't match your intended fingering, you can edit individual fret numbers by clicking the tab note and changing the value.

Enable Tablature on a Staff

Start by opening your Guitar Pro file and locating the staff where you want to add tab. Right-click directly on the staff name or the staff itself on the left side of the screen. A context menu will appear with several options.

Look for the option labeled "Add Tablature" or "Show Tablature" (the exact wording depends on your Guitar Pro version). Click it, and a tab staff will appear below the standard notation staff for that instrument. The tab staff will have six lines representing the six strings of a guitar, labeled E, A, D, G, B, and E from bottom to top.

If you have multiple guitar or bass tracks in your score, repeat this step for each one. You can add tab to some tracks and leave others in standard notation only.

Let Guitar Pro Generate Tab from Notation

If you already have notes written in standard notation, Guitar Pro can automatically create the tab for you. Once you've enabled tablature on the staff, the software reads each note's pitch and position, then calculates which fret on which string produces that note based on the instrument's tuning.

The conversion happens when ready. You'll see fret numbers appear on the tab staff that correspond to every note in the standard notation above. Guitar Pro chooses the lowest available fret for each note by default, which works well for most situations. If the fingering doesn't match what you intended, you can edit individual fret numbers later.

This automatic conversion is one of the fastest ways to create tab if you've already notated a piece in standard notation. You don't have to enter every fret number by hand.

Enter Fret Numbers Manually into Tab

If you're building a tab score from scratch, you can type fret numbers directly into the tab staff. Click on the tab line that represents the string you want to play. The cursor will land on that string at the current beat position.

Type the fret number (0 through 24, depending on your guitar). Press Enter or the right arrow key to move to the next beat on the same string, or click a different string to move there. Guitar Pro will automatically align the fret number with the correct beat position and duration based on the time signature and note length you've set.

If you need to add multiple notes that sound at the same time (a chord), click the first string, enter the fret, then click another string on the same beat and enter its fret. Guitar Pro will stack them vertically to show they're played together.

Switch Between Tab, Notation, and Both Views

Once you have tab in your score, you can choose how to display it. Go to the View menu at the top of the window and look for options related to staff display or layout. You'll typically see choices like "Show Tablature," "Show Standard Notation," or similar toggles.

You can display tab and standard notation together (one above the other), show only tab, or show only standard notation. Many guitarists prefer seeing both because the notation shows rhythm and timing clearly while the tab shows exactly where to place their fingers. Experiment with the view that works best for your needs.

These view settings explore to the entire score or to individual tracks, depending on your version of Guitar Pro. Check the View menu or right-click the staff to see what options are available in your specific version.

Edit Tab After It's Been Generated

If Guitar Pro's automatic tab conversion doesn't match the fingering you want, you can change individual fret numbers. Click on any fret number in the tab staff to select it. Type a new fret number and press Enter. The note will update, and Guitar Pro will adjust the standard notation above if needed.

You can also delete a fret number by selecting it and pressing Delete or Backspace. This is useful if you want to remove a note or clear a section and re-enter it differently.

Keep in mind that if you edit the tab, the standard notation may not update automatically in all cases. If you change the tab significantly, you might need to adjust the notation manually to match, or vice versa. Guitar Pro tries to keep them in sync, but complex edits sometimes require manual fixes on both sides.

Adjust Tuning and String Configuration

Guitar Pro assumes standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) by default. If your guitar is tuned differently or you're working with a bass or other stringed instrument, you need to tell Guitar Pro so the tab converts correctly.

Right-click the staff and look for an option like "Staff Properties" or "Instrument Properties." You'll see a section for tuning where you can select from preset tunings (drop D, open G, half-step down, etc.) or enter custom tuning notes for each string. Once you change the tuning, any tab Guitar Pro generates will reflect the new string pitches.

If you're using a 7-string guitar, 8-string guitar, or bass with a different number of strings, you can also adjust the string count in the same properties panel. Guitar Pro will add or remove tab lines to match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have tab on one track and standard notation only on another?

Yes. Right-click each staff individually and add or remove tablature as needed. You can mix and match — some tracks show tab, others show notation, and some show both. This is useful when you have a score with multiple instruments and only want to show tab for the guitar parts.

What if the auto-generated tab uses frets I can't reach on my guitar?

Edit the fret numbers manually. Click each fret number that's too high and type a lower fret on a different string that produces the same note. Guitar Pro won't automatically find alternate fingerings, so you'll need to adjust them yourself if the default conversion doesn't work for your playing style or guitar range.

Does Guitar Pro tab work with other software or websites?

Guitar Pro files (.gp5, .gp6, etc.) can be exported to other formats like PDF or MusicXML, which preserves the tab. You can also export as an image. However, if you want to share a Guitar Pro file itself with someone, they need Guitar Pro installed to open it. Many online tab sites use their own format, so direct transfer isn't always possible.

Can I print just the tab without the standard notation?

Yes. Before printing, use the View menu to hide standard notation and show only tab. Then print normally. The printed page will show only the tab staff. You can also adjust this in the print preview to make sure only what you want appears on the page.

What happens if I edit the standard notation after I've added tab?

If you change a note in the standard notation, Guitar Pro may or may not update the tab automatically — it depends on your version and settings. To be safe, after making changes to notation, right-click the staff and look for an option to "Regenerate Tablature" or similar. This forces Guitar Pro to recalculate the tab based on the new notation.