Want To Learn Guitar Songs In Just a Few Minutes?

By Pete Jackson

When I first began learning to play the guitar, I wanted to learn guitar songs to play for others and myself. This was more than thirty-five years ago and my instructor thought that I was expecting a bit too much of myself to be able to learn guitar songs so soon. So I was taught to learn the strings, reading music, learning notations, intervals and theory.

These things are essential while learning to play the guitar; however, they do not do much to help you to learn guitar songs quickly. Since there was no other option available at that time, I stopped playing for many years and then the internet came along, making it possible to learn quickly at your own speed.

Learning how to read tablature is one of the most helpful methods to use when you want to learn guitar songs. It is so simple that even a beginner can learn to play any song they may fancy when they use tab.

How can a beginner learn guitar songs? Well, let us take a peek at how you can do this successfully using easy to understand terms.

With tab there are six lines representing each guitar string. The thickest string on the bottom line is the low E, and the thinnest string on the top line is the high E. Blank tabs appear just like this example, in standard tuning.

E ----------------------------

B ----------------------------

G ----------------------------

D ----------------------------

A ----------------------------

E ----------------------------

Here, no frets are used - you will play each string open. Doing so will return the notes as they are. If you want to play a short scale beginning with the low E and then ending at the next E, the written tablature will be written as such:

E -----------------------------------------------

B -----------------------------------------------

G -----------------------------------------------

D ----------------------------0--2---------------

A ---------------0---2---3----------------------

E ---0---1---3----------------------------------

The low E is the sixth string with no frets, it is open and then you move onto the F on the first fret and then move onto the G on the third fret. You will then move along to the next string up and play the A open with no frets, followed by B on second fret, then C on third fret. Move on up to the next string you play the D open with no frets. Finally, you will play the E on the second fret and your scale is complete!

You can tab out any song and there are multitudes from which you can use online free. Even beginners can learn guitar songs rather quickly while reading tablature. All you have to do is follow the tab while you play the signified string and fret.

Chords are a little different. Heres how an E major chord is written in tab:

E ---0-------------------------

B ---0------------------------

G ---1------------------------

D ---2------------------------

A ---2-------------------------

E ---O-------------------------

For this chord, the notes are E - 6/open, B - 5/fr2, E - 4/fr2, G# - 3/fr1, B - 2/open and E - 1/open.

See how that works? It really is simple and just takes a little practice to learn guitar songs.

Since tablature does not offer you timing and durations, you should listen to the song while reading the tab for a better understanding. Doing so is one of the best means to learn guitar songs.

It is suggested that you DO learn to read music, though as this will help you in other areas as well as to learn guitar songs. - 18424

About the Author:

To get free lessons on how to learn guitar songs, reading tablature and more helpful tips on the guitar go to Guitar Learn Play.