So where were we in our last look at guitar tablature? ... ah yes, to write (or read) notes in Tab, you simply write in a number on a string, which corresponds to which fret should be played. For example a number 3 on the hi-E string means exactly that - play the hi E string fretted at the 3rd fret.

Let's add a scale to see what it looks like.

Here's an A Major Pentatonic scale in guitar tablature form - great for country and loads of other styles.

And here's the real world version -

In this case, listen to the audio to get the timing - here it is...

Play A Major Pentatonic

 If you want to write or learn a chord, or a few notes simultaneously, just stack them beside each other like this - here's a common garden-variety G chord written in Tab:

Beginners Tip: It helps a whole lot when reading, playing or studying tablature, if you learn basic rhythm notation - there's not many. Basically be familiar with counting whole notes, half, quarter, eights, sixteens and 32's, 64s, (the ones you use), and that will serve you well for the moment.

Here are the basic counts used in music - try clapping your hands on the underlined notes while keeping your foot tapping a constant 1 2 3 4 ... slowly at first if your new to it.

These are all the basics note durations you will come across in guitar tab music. The note duration or length in time, is usually written alongside/above the tab in standard notation, but as mentioned, you can simultaneously use an audio recording of the piece of music you're reading, to get the exact timing.

See you in Part #3 where we'll be looking at tab embellishments ... ciou 4 now and don't 4get that the more you practice reading and using Tab the easier it gets. Daily practice at the start is the key. Any Recording related Q's or Tips? Please post them on our BellaOnline Musician's Forum - thanx.

Regards

David