In tablature, fret numbers are used extensively, but to guitarists, patterns (for chords, scales, arpeggios, and such) can be more useful. This article addresses using fret numbers and using visual patterns (for chords) when tabbing out songs.
Why use Tablature?
Tablature tells a guitarist exactly what string(s) to play and at what fret. Tablature is important to the guitarist, since the notes are laid out in a matrix. Each individual string presents the notes linearly like a piano, but since there are six (or more) strings, some of the notes repeat.
For instance, on the piano there is only one way to play middle C, but on the guitar there is more than one way to play middle C. Tablature clearly shows which middle C to play so there is no confusion.
It is useful to have multiple choices of note placements. It can make a song easier to play, among other things. Tablature clearly shows a guitarist which note (pitch) to play, if there are multiple choices.
Since the notes on the guitar are laid out in a matrix, sight reading standard notation can be a challenge – if the correct notes are not specified. However, the best guitar music incorporates both standard notation and tablature notation. A guitarist who learns both notation methods is well prepared to communicate and interpret musical ideas.
If a guitarist knows the tab, in addition, they also know how a piece of music sounds (from a recording), then they can learn to play the piece without having to learn how to read standard sheet music. Tablature usually does not stand alone – recordings of the music with the tab are essential.
How to Tab Chord Progressions
Typically, a guitarist will use standard tab notation to list their chord progressions. Most of the tablature used today tabs chords with fret numbers, but there is another useful way to tab chords. It is similar to looking at a chord chart. It shows the same pattern that a chord chart shows.
One of the best ways to tab chords is to use chord charts. Chord charts are actually a version of guitar tablature. Why not combined them? This is what is shown in the illustration below – a specific way to write chords using tablature (or six lines).
The illustration shows the tab of the chord progression: E major to E7 to E. Notice the two ways shown to tab this progression.
The chord chart way shows the chord patterns. There are many patterns on the guitar, and the patterns can be more useful that just a list of tabbed numbers. Patterns are easier to remember for many guitarists. The second way shows the standard way to tab chords, which is useful in its own right – but it is not what the chords look like on the guitar!
Examples of Tabbed Chord Progressions
Interestingly, you can also use this tab method to tab scales in pattern form. Tab them the way they look on the guitar.
If a guitarist combines the pattern form with the tabbed numbers, it serves as a very effective way to tab song ideas. There is a book called “The Beatles' Collection, Vol.1” (ISBN 4-401-34428-6) that illustrates this concept well. This particular book (or similar book) may be hard to find outside of Japan. Some Japanese publishers use this method of tab extensively, but for some reason in the United States (an elsewhere) this tab method is lacking in the tabs available.
In summary, a guitarist should familiarize themselves with alternative tab methods. One can easily tab chords, scales, and such in pattern form – that is, they can tab them as they look on the guitar. Consequently, the patterns can be easier to remember than simple writing down just fret numbers. This method of tabbing can be efficient and effective when it comes to documenting a guitarist’s songs.
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