Tablature is a straightforward number system that shows you where to place your fingers on the fretboard

Guitar tablature (or "tab") is a visual way to write down guitar music using numbers instead of traditional musical notation. Each horizontal line represents a string on your guitar, and the numbers on those lines tell you which fret to press. A "0" means play the string open (without pressing any fret), "1" means press the first fret, "2" means the second fret, and so on. This system works the same way whether you're writing a straightforward riff or a complex song.

The six horizontal lines in a tab staff represent your six strings, with the top line being the high E string (the thinnest string) and the bottom line being the low E string (the thickest string). When you see a number on a line, you play that fret on that string. Numbers stacked vertically mean you play those notes at the same time (a chord). Numbers in a horizontal sequence mean you play them one after another (a melody or riff).

Key Takeaways

  • The six lines of a tab represent your six guitar strings, with the top line as the high E string and the bottom line as the low E string.
  • Numbers on the lines show which fret to press: 0 is open, 1 is the first fret, 2 is the second fret, and so on.
  • Vertical stacks of numbers are chords played together; horizontal sequences are notes played one after another.
  • Standard tab notation includes symbols for techniques like slides, bends, and hammer-ons that change how a note sounds.
  • You can write tab by hand on lined paper, use free online tab editors, or use notation software like MuseScore or Guitar Pro.

Setting up the basic six-line staff

Start by drawing six horizontal lines on a piece of paper or opening a tab editor on your computer. Label each line from top to bottom: E, B, G, D, A, E. This matches the standard tuning of a guitar, with the top line representing the high E string and the bottom line representing the low E string. If you're writing by hand, use a ruler to keep the lines evenly spaced and straight.

If you prefer to write tab on a computer, free tools like Ultimate Guitar's tab creator, Flat.io, or MuseScore let you create a staff and add numbers without drawing by hand. These tools also let you hear what you've written, which helps you catch mistakes. For more advanced work, Guitar Pro is a paid option that includes playback, chord diagrams, and the ability to export your tab in multiple formats.

Writing single notes and straightforward melodies

To write a single note, place a number on the line that represents the string you want to play, and place it in the horizontal position where you want that note to occur in time. For example, if you want to play the third fret of the high E string as your first note, write "3" on the top line at the leftmost position. If the next note is the fifth fret of the B string, write "5" on the second line, slightly to the right of the first number.

Space your numbers left to right in the order you play them. The further right a number is, the later it occurs in time. Leave more space between numbers if there's a longer pause between notes. This visual spacing helps someone reading your tab understand the rhythm, even though tab doesn't show exact note duration the way standard musical notation does.

Writing chords and notes played together

When you want to show multiple notes played at the same time (a chord), stack the numbers vertically on top of each other. For example, to write a basic open G chord, you would write the numbers for each string at the exact same horizontal position. The tab would look like this: the high E string gets a "3", the B string gets a "0", the G string gets a "0", the D string gets a "0", the A string gets a "2", and the low E string gets a "3" — all lined up vertically so a player knows to press all six frets at once.

Label chord shapes above the tab staff if you're writing full chords. Write the chord name (like "G" or "Am") above the staff at the point where that chord is played. This gives the reader both the visual tab information and the chord name, which is especially helpful for people learning to recognize chord shapes.

Adding symbols for techniques like slides, bends, and hammer-ons

Tab uses shorthand symbols to show techniques that change how a note sounds. A slide is written as a forward slash (/) or backslash (\) between two numbers — the slash shows the direction of the slide. For example, "5/7" means slide from the fifth fret to the seventh fret on the same string. A bend is shown with the letter "b" after the number: "7b9" means play the seventh fret and bend it up until it sounds like the ninth fret.

A hammer-on (pressing a fret without picking the string again) is written with an "h" between two numbers: "5h7" means pick the fifth fret, then hammer down on the seventh fret without picking again. A pull-off (lifting your finger off a fret to sound a lower note) uses a "p": "7p5" means pick the seventh fret, then pull off to the fifth fret. A vibrato (shaking the note) is shown with a wavy line or the letter "v" after the number.

These symbols sit right next to the numbers they modify, so there's no confusion about which note they explore to. Different tab writers use slightly different symbols, so if you're reading someone else's tab, look for a legend at the top that explains their notation choices.

Showing rhythm and timing with spacing and bar lines

Tab doesn't show exact note duration the way standard musical notation does, but you can use spacing to give a rough sense of rhythm. Notes that are played quickly in succession should be close together horizontally. Notes with longer pauses between them should have more space. This visual spacing helps a reader understand the general feel of the riff or melody.

Divide your tab into measures (also called bars) using vertical lines. In standard 4/4 time, each measure contains four beats. Draw a vertical line every few numbers to show where each measure ends and the next one begins. This makes the tab easier to read and helps the player stay in time. If you're using tab software, it usually adds bar lines automatically.

Choosing between handwritten tab and digital tools

Handwritten tab works well if you're jotting down a quick riff or sharing something with a friend in person. All you need is paper, a pencil, and a ruler. The downside is that handwritten tab doesn't show rhythm clearly, and it's straightforward to make spacing mistakes that confuse the reader.

Digital tab editors and notation software are better if you're writing something you plan to share online or with multiple people. Free tools like MuseScore, Flat.io, and Ultimate Guitar's tab creator let you add rhythm notation, hear playback, and export your work as an image or PDF. Guitar Pro is a paid option (around $60 to $80 for a one-time purchase) that includes more features like chord diagrams, multiple instruments, and the ability to slow down playback for learning.

Common mistakes to avoid when writing tab

The most common mistake is inconsistent spacing, which makes the rhythm unclear. If you're writing by hand, use a ruler and leave equal space between notes that should be played at the same speed. If you're using software, let the program handle spacing automatically.

Another mistake is forgetting to label which string is which. Always write "E B G D A E" at the left edge of your staff so the reader knows which line represents which string. If you're using non-standard tuning (like drop D or open G), label the strings with their actual pitches so there's no confusion.

Don't assume the reader knows what technique symbols mean. If you're using less common symbols, add a legend at the top of the page that explains what each one means. This is especially important if you're sharing tab with someone learning to read it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write tab for songs that use open tunings or alternate tunings?

Yes. Instead of labeling the strings E B G D A E, label them with the actual pitches of your tuning. For example, in drop D tuning, the low E string becomes D, so you'd label the bottom line "D" instead of "E". The numbers stay the same — they still represent frets — but the reader will know which pitches they're playing.

Should I include both tab and standard musical notation?

If you're writing for people who read standard notation, yes. Many notation programs like MuseScore and Guitar Pro can display both at the same time. Tab alone works fine for riffs and melodies, but standard notation is clearer for showing exact rhythm and note duration. Using both gives readers the most information.

What's the difference between tab and chord charts?

Tab shows you exactly which frets to play on which strings, one note at a time. A chord chart shows you the shape of a chord (which frets to press on all six strings at once) but doesn't tell you the order to play individual notes. Use tab for melodies and riffs, and chord charts for strumming patterns and full chords.

Can I use tab software on my phone or tablet?

Yes. Apps like Ultimate Guitar, Flat.io, and GarageBand all have mobile versions that let you write and read tab. Some are free with ads, and some offer paid versions without ads. Mobile apps are convenient for quick notation, though a computer keyboard and mouse are usually faster for longer projects.

How do I show where to use a capo in tab?

Write "Capo on fret X" at the top of the tab, where X is the fret number. For example, "Capo on fret 2" means the player should place a capo on the second fret. The numbers in the tab are still relative to the capo position — a "0" still means the open string (which is now the fretted position where the capo is).