Unit 6: Tablature and the A Chord

Tablature is one of the oldest systems of music notation. It's easy to learn, and it's quite helpful to guitarists who do not read standard notation. Tablature does have two major flaws- One, there is no rhythm indication. One has to be familiar with the tune in order for the Tab to make any sense. Two, the Tab doesn't suggest a logical fingering to play the piece, only what fret the correct notes appear on.

In this lesson, I explain how tablature works. To summarize:
Tablature is a graphical representation of the strings on the guitar. As there are 6 strings, a staff of tablature has 6 lines. The lowest line is the Low E string, the highest line is the high E string. The notation to play one of these strings (open strings) would be a O on one of the lines. The following example is Tablature for playing the low E string 3 times followed by the A string 3 times:

---------------
---------------
---------------
---------------
----------0-0-0
----0-0-0------

In order to indicate a fret number rather than an open string, a fret number appears on the line. Like this G Major scale:

-------------------
-------------------
-------------------
--------------2-4-5
--------2-3-5------
----3-5------------

The homework assignment on this topic is for students to go online, or to a guitar magazine, music store, friend, etc. and find some tablature to a song. Bring the song to class and play a portion of it for us.

I will pass out a lead sheet in class for the Beatles song "Twist and Shout" with the main guitar riff written out in tab to reinforce the tablature lecture. Students are expected to be able to play the main riff by next class.

Twist and Shout is a I, IV, V progression in the key of A, so we need to learn how to spell (and play) an A chord. This is included in the lesson as well.