How to read guitar tabs

Unlike traditional sheet music, which uses musical notes on a staff, guitar tabs give you a simple visual guide for where to place your fingers.

• Each number represents a fret

• Each line represents a string

• No need to read standard notation — just follow the numbers and play

This method has become the go-to for millions of self-taught players because it strips away complexity and gets you playing faster.

Let's start with the basics

How a basic guitar tab looks

A standard guitar tab looks something like this:

  e|-----------------|  (1st string – thinnest, high E)
  B|-----------------|
  G|----2------------|  (Press the 2nd fret on the G string)
  D|-----------------|
  A|-----------------|
  E|-----------------|  (6th string – thickest, low E)

How to read it

✅ The top line is the highest-pitched string (high E)
✅ The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (low E)
✅ Numbers tell you which fret to press on each string
✅ A "0" means play the string open (without pressing any frets)

How chords are written in tabs

Tabs don’t just show individual notes — they can also show chords, with numbers stacked vertically.

Take a look at this B Major chord written as a tab:

  e|--2--|
  B|--4--|
  G|--4--|
  D|--4--|
  A|--2--|
  E|--x--|

• The “x” means do not play that string.

• The numbers tell you exactly which frets to hold down.

This is a barre chord, which can be tricky for beginners. If you’re struggling with these, you might want to start with simpler open chords.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: Need more help with chords? Check out our guide to reading guitar chord charts.

Tabs don’t just tell you which frets to press — they also include symbols that show how to play each note.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common ones:

These symbols add the nuances that make your playing sound expressive rather than robotic. You’ll find that once you get comfortable with them, they start to feel like part of the language of your instrument.

The best way to practice reading tabs is by learning actual songs. Based on search data and trends, here are some of the most searched-for beginner guitar tabs — meaning they’re popular, simple, and effective for learning.

🎸 Seven Nation Army – The White Stripes

This riff is perfect for absolute beginners because it's on one string and easy to follow.

  e|------------------------|
  B|------------------------|
  G|------------------------|
  D|------------------------|
  A|--7--7--10--7--5--3--2--|
  E|------------------------|

One-string riffs are great for developing your picking accuracy without worrying about complex finger movements.

💡 ARTMASTER TIP: Watch Dre DiMura play 'Seven Nation Army' to a backing track. Have a go yourself and play along!

Not all guitar tabs look the same. The video playthrough in this lesson, for example, uses a rhythm-based tab instead of a standard text format.

Types of guitar tabs you may see

• Basic text tabs – The most common format, using lines for strings and numbers for frets.

• Rhythm-based tabs – Space numbers according to timing, helping you play in time.

• Standard notation + tab – Includes traditional sheet music above the tab for extra detail.

Regardless of the format, the numbers always tell you which frets to play — so once you learn the basics, you can read any style of tab.

Just to help you get started, here’s a little pick advice when trying these riffs:

• Hold it right – Grip the pick between your thumb and the side of your index finger, leaving just a small part exposed.

• Use alternate picking – For single-note riffs, down-up-down-up picking keeps your playing smooth and efficient.

• Angle the pick slightly – This helps it glide over the strings instead of catching.

• Keep your wrist loose – Stiffness makes playing harder. Relax your wrist for better control and comfort.

Here are a couple more simple riffs to get you started:

🎸 Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple

✔ One of the most famous beginner riffs of all time.

  e|--------------------------|
  B|--------------------------|
  G|--0--3--5--|--0--3--6--5--|  
  D|--0--3--5--|--0--3--6--5--|  
  A|--------------------------|
  E|--------------------------|

It’s simple but uses powerful note combinations — a great introduction to rock rhythm.

🎸 Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses

✔ A step up—requires precise picking but sounds amazing.

  e|--15----14----12----15----14----12----|
  B|-----15----15----15----15----15----15-|
  G|--------------------------------------|
  D|--------------------------------------|
  A|--------------------------------------|
  E|--------------------------------------|

This is great for developing your right-hand picking control and learning to play melodies cleanly.

Every beginner makes mistakes when learning how to read guitar tabs, but knowing what to watch out for can help you improve faster.

• Playing the wrong strings – If a string doesn’t have a number, don’t play it. Tabs only show the notes you need, so avoid strumming extra strings.

• Ignoring tab symbols – Techniques like hammer-ons (h), pull-offs (p), slides (/ or ), bends (b), and muted notes (x) add expression. Skipping them makes your playing sound flat.

• Forgetting about rhythm – Tabs don’t show timing. Listen to the original song or use a metronome to match the correct speed and feel.

Now that you know how to read guitar tabs, start practicing real songs. The more you play, the easier it becomes.

Want to go beyond just following numbers on a page? Dre DiMura’s Electric Guitar for Beginners course is designed to help you read tabs, play iconic riffs, and develop real guitar skills from day one. With 120M+ TikTok views, Dre has helped thousands of guitarists improve their technique, and now you can learn directly from him.

What you’ll learn:

✔ How to read and play guitar tabs properly—no more guessing
✔ Essential picking techniques for better accuracy and speed
✔ Beginner-friendly riffs like Seven Nation Army and Satisfaction
✔ Power chords and open chords so you can play full songs
✔ Rhythm and strumming patterns to help you stay in time
✔ The pentatonic scale and basic improvisation to start making your own music
✔ Full play-along backing tracks so you can practice with real music

Try it out with our 7-day free trial!