Making sense of guitar tabs.
I'm transcribing a piece that involves guitar tabs, found a chart that indicates which note goes with the tab.
I've found though, some tabs that I would like explained, not having any knowledge of tabs.
From the images below, the tabs in question are on the lower lines, tabs 5 on the lower string and 0 on the next string up.
Going by the tab and note chart, these notes are the same, an A natural.
I assume there is a reason for the different numbering sequence for the same note.
If anyone could offer some help, thank you.
Alex.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| musescore guitar tabs.jpg | 74.5 KB |
| musescore tabs and notes.jpg | 68.95 KB |
Comments
I'm not sure I understand the question. The picture doesn't look like it came from MuseScore - did it. Or is this a chart you found online somewhere? Sounds like you are asking to have tablatured explained? There's probably good articles online for that. But in short, the numbers are showing you which string to play and at what fret. It looms like the chart is trying to show you there are two ways of playing that low A - either play the A string open or play the low E string at the 5th fret - your choice. If you're not familiar with the guitar in general, you can probably also find articles online that explain the layout of the strings and frets. In general, any given note can always be played in multiple places.
In reply to I'm not sure I understand the by Marc Sabatella
Yes, you are right, the image does not come from musescore, this is a chart that I found online, and basically you have answered my question.
I did suspect that the same note could be played in many positions on a guitar, and I'm just trying to get my head around the tab notation.
I'm also assuming that the choice of fret position for the note is dependent on which notes are played next.
I'm not really asking to have all of tablature explained, only small portions that I come across, more for my own peace of mind rather than learning.
As for finding good articles, I've tried that, but most of the ones I have come across, are written in a way that assumes you have a prior knowledge of tabs.
My son keeps promising to explain or help me, but both of us with theatre rehearsals and shows, neither of us seems to find the time.
Regards, Alex.
The first attachment: 'musescore guitar tabs.jpg' - looks like it notates seven strings. You would have to look at the tuning to see what kind of guitar (if at all) it is.
The second attachment: 'musescore tabs and notes.jpg - displays various locations on the fretboard for enharmonic notes and is not meant to be played (as a composition).
That second one shows 6 strings - like the standard guitar.
Also, have a look at this:
http://cdn.mos.musicradar.com/images/magblogs/guitar-techniques/resourc…
Regards.
In reply to Guitar tabs by Jm6stringer
That first image, musescore guitar tabs.jpg does indeed indicate 7 strings, I must get my eyes tested, I haven't noticed it before.
Checked on the sheet music score, the lower string, (bottom) is an A string, wonder if it is for the bass line.
That changes everything, will have to re-examine my test transcription.
Like the guitar techniques page, will study it in more detail.
Thanks for your help.
In reply to My eyesight must be going. by murray45a
Indeed, in 'musescore guitar tabs.jpg', a seven string guitar (with a tuning of, for example, A1–E2–A2–D3–G3–B3–E4) would match the notes written on the staff - assuming bass clef.
The seventh string would in this case give an extended bass capability over a standard 6 string guitar.
Regards.