What "What You Know" Guitar Tab Shows You
Guitar tab for "What You Know" displays the song's notes and rhythms on six horizontal lines that represent your guitar strings. Each number on the lines tells you which fret to press, and the position of numbers left to right shows you the order to play them. Tab is faster to learn from than sheet music because you do not need to read musical notation — you just follow the numbers.
The six lines in tab represent your strings from thickest (bottom) to thinnest (top): low E, A, D, G, B, and high E. 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. Numbers stacked vertically mean you play those notes at the same time as a chord. Numbers in a line mean you play them one after another.
Tab does not always show rhythm clearly, so you will often need to listen to the song while reading along. Many tab sites let you play an audio sample or video while you follow the numbers, which helps you match the speed and timing.
Key Takeaways
- Tab numbers show which fret to press on each string, with 0 meaning the string played open and higher numbers moving up the fretboard.
- The six horizontal lines represent your six strings in order from thickest to thinnest, so you always know which string to play.
- Numbers stacked on top of each other are played together as a chord, while numbers in a line are played one after another.
- Tab does not always show timing clearly, so listening to the song while reading the tab helps you learn the correct speed and rhythm.
- Websites like Ultimate Guitar and Chordify often include audio or video playback alongside the tab so you can hear and see the song at the same time.
Where to Find "What You Know" Tab Online
The most common sources for guitar tab are Ultimate Guitar, Chordify, and Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com. Ultimate Guitar has thousands of user-submitted tabs for songs across all genres, and you can filter by difficulty level and see ratings from other players. Chordify works differently — you paste a YouTube link and it generates chords and tab automatically by analyzing the audio, which is useful if you cannot find a version you like.
Tabs.Ultimate-Guitar.com is a dedicated tab database where you can search by song title and artist. Many pages show multiple versions of the same song submitted by different users, so if one tab does not sound right, you can try another. Each version usually has a rating and comment section where players note if the tab is accurate or needs fixes.
When you find a tab, check the rating and read a few comments before you start learning. A tab with 4 or 5 stars and recent positive comments is more likely to be correct than one with few ratings or complaints about accuracy.
Reading Rhythm and Timing in Tab
Tab shows you which notes to play but not always how long to hold them or how fast to play them. This is the biggest limitation of tab compared to sheet music. To solve this, most tab pages include rhythm notation above or below the numbers — usually dashes or slashes that show beat divisions.
Some tab sites use a system where dashes represent the length of a note: more dashes mean a longer note. Others use symbols like quarter notes or eighth notes borrowed from sheet music. The best approach is to listen to the song while reading the tab and match your playing to what you hear. Start slowly, get the notes right, then speed up to match the recording.
If the tab page has a play button or links to a video, use it. Hearing the song while you look at the tab trains your ear and your fingers at the same time, which is much faster than trying to figure out timing from symbols alone.
How to Practice "What You Know" Tab Step by Step
Start by reading through the tab without playing anything. Trace your finger along the numbers and say them out loud so you understand the fret sequence. This takes two or three minutes and prevents you from building bad habits by playing wrong notes over and over.
Next, play the tab very slowly. If the song is normally fast, play it at half speed or slower. Use a metronome set to a slow tempo — many free metronome apps are available online — and play one note per beat until you can do it without stopping. Accuracy matters more than speed at this stage.
Once you can play the tab slowly without mistakes, gradually increase the tempo. Raise the metronome by 5 or 10 beats per minute every few minutes until you reach the speed of the original song. This method takes longer than trying to play at full speed when ready, but you will learn the song correctly and remember it better.
If you get stuck on a section, isolate that part and practice it separately for a few minutes, then play the whole tab again. Repeating the difficult section in context helps your fingers remember the transition to and from it.
Common Tab Symbols and What They Mean
Beyond numbers and lines, tab uses symbols to show techniques and effects. A "/" means slide up to the next note — play the first fret, then slide your finger up the string to the second fret without lifting off. A "\" means slide down. An "h" means hammer-on: play the first note, then press the next fret without picking again. A "p" means pull-off: play a note, then lift your finger to sound a lower note without picking.
A "b" means bend: play the note and push the string up to raise the pitch. A "r" means release: bend the string up, then release it back to normal pitch. A "~" means vibrato: play the note and wiggle the string slightly to create a wavering sound. A "x" means mute the string — touch it lightly without pressing a fret, then pick it to create a percussive sound with no pitch.
Not every tab uses all these symbols. straightforward tabs might only have numbers and slashes. If you see a symbol you do not recognize, most tab pages have a legend at the top or bottom that explains it. Hover over or tap the symbol if the page is interactive.
When Tab Does Not Match What You Hear
Sometimes a tab will sound wrong even if you are playing it correctly. This usually means the tab is inaccurate, the song has multiple versions, or the tab is for a cover rather than the original recording. Check the comments section on the tab page — other players often note these issues and suggest corrections.
If you cannot find a better version, try adjusting the key. Some tabs are transposed up or down from the original song, so if everything sounds too high or too low, try playing it a few frets higher or lower. You can also try a different tab source — another user may have submitted a more accurate version.
As you get more experience, you will develop an ear for when something is off. At that point, you can make small adjustments yourself or use your ear to figure out the correct notes by listening closely to the recording.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know how to read sheet music to use guitar tab?
No. Tab is designed to be simpler than sheet music — you only need to know which fret to press and which string to play. Many guitarists learn tab first and never learn sheet music. However, understanding basic rhythm notation helps you play with better timing.
What does a 0 in tab mean?
A 0 means play that string open, without pressing any fret. For example, a 0 on the bottom line (low E string) means pluck the low E string without touching any frets. Open strings are often used in chords and melodies to create a fuller sound.
Can I use tab on my phone while I play?
Yes. Most tab websites work on phones and tablets, and many have apps. You can hold your phone or tablet in front of you while you play, or prop it on a stand. Some apps let you transpose the tab to a different key or slow down audio playback, which is helpful for learning.
Why does my tab sound different from the recording?
The most common reasons are incorrect tab, a different song version or cover, or playing at the wrong speed. Check the comments to see if other players noted errors, try a different tab source, or listen very carefully to the original recording to hear if the notes really match what you are playing.
How long does it usually take to learn a song from tab?
That depends on the song's difficulty and your experience level. A straightforward song might take 30 minutes to an hour. A complex song with many techniques could take several hours or days of practice. Practicing slowly and accurately is faster than rushing through mistakes, even though it feels slower at first.