Could someone explain to me how to read tabs? Since I taught myself how to play, I haven't needed to know how until now
Let's start with this one that I posted a while ago....
Because of who you are I give you glory Because of who you are I give you praise
G -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A ------------------------------------------------------8_________7______5___----------6___---------
E ----------------------------
5_________6_-6_8-------------------------------------8___---------8_____
B 6______________-----------------------6------------------------------------------------------------------
The first note you would play is the 6th fret on the B string. The underline means hold it until the underline stops (I may be the only on who writes them like that). The next note you play is the 5th fret on the E string. Hold it 'til you play the 6th note. I think you can figure out the rest of this passage from there. I try to line the notes up with the words that are being sang at the time. Because of who you are I will lift my voice and sing
G ---------------------------------------------------------------------
D ----------------8---------------------------------------------------
A -------------------------------------------5___---------5______
E 6______________---6-6----6
H8__------5_____----------
B -------------------------6-----6-----------------------------------
The "H" between the 6 & the 8 meansPLUCK THE STRING WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE 6TH FRET, THEN "HAMMER" THE EIGHTH FRET. So either your index finger or middle finger would be on the 6th fret, then while the note is still ringing, you'd just press your ring finger or pinky on the 8th fret Lord I worship you because of who you are
G ---------------------------------------------------------5H7_5----4
D ------------------------------------------------------------------7_
A ----------------10---------------------4_______5---------------
E 6__5__---------------8_________-----------------------------
B ---------8____----
X8---------------------------------------------
The "X" is a ghost note, or a muted note. You strike the string, but you are also muting it at the same time, so that the resulting sound is sort of a percussive thump. It helps when you're trying to add some syncopation or a backbeat. A couple ways to accomplish this. You could have your finger depressing the string, but only part way, not touching the fingerboard or a fret. Or you could use your fretting hand and sort of pat the fingerboard. Lord I worship you because of who you are
G ---------------------------------------------------------
D ---------------------------------------------------------
A ---------------------------------------------------------
E 6___5__--------------8__________________
B ---------8_________-------------------------------6
Jehovah Jireh You’re my provider Jehovah Nissi Lord you reign in victory
G ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D ----------------8_------------------------------------------------8_-------------------------------------------
A -----------------------------------------------5------------------------------------6_________-------------
E -------------6__--6-6--------------6_5___5--5------------6__--6-6-6-6__8_---------------8___------
B 6-6H8---------------------------------------------------6--6-6H8---------------------------------------------
Jehovah Shalom You are my Prince of Peace
G -----------------------------------------------------------
D---------------8_----------------------5____----5____
A------------------------------------------------5__-------
E ----------6__--6-6-6----6_8_-------------------------
B -----------------------------------------------------------
And I worship you because of who you are Lord I worship you because of who you are
G -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A -----------------------------------------4_______5_--------------------------------------------------------------
E 6__5_----------------------8_______----------------5-------6_5-----------------8_____________--
B--------8__________------------------------------------8___------8__________----------------------6____
One technique I didn't use in this example is a slide. If you see something like "5/8" it means pluck the string with your finger on the 5th fret, then slide that finger down to the 8th fret.
Also if you see something like this G -----------------------P7--------
D ----------------------------------
A ----------------T5--------------
E ----------------------------------
That means thump the 5th fret on the A string then pluck the 7th fret on the G string. In this example, it's just thumping a D note, then popping the D note an octave higher on the G string.Hope that helps.
Peace,
James
