In order for you to play the acoustic guitar properly, you need to understand a little bit more about guitar music. Firstly, the musical notations used for when playing the guitar or any other stringed instrument are different from those used for other musical instruments. Where as other musicians use staffs, notes, note values, ledger lines and key and time signatures in order to play music. A guitar player will only use musical notations referred to as tabs. The main advantage to be had from using acoustic guitar tabs is that you can learn to play this instrument without actually having to learn to read music as well.
All of acoustic guitar tabs are a form of musical notation, which is known as tablature. However, when you look at an acoustic guitar tab, you will actually be looking at a diagram showing the strings on the guitar. The lines on the diagram represent the strings, with the first string being at the top and the sixth string being at the bottom. On the lines, you will also see numbers that represent which fret you are actually meant to play. When a Zero (0) appears on the lines this indicates an open string, whilst an X represents a muffled string.
If you are unsure as to what we mean by the Fret, this is the area that is located between the two metal bars that are on the neck (fingerboard) of the guitar. Normally a good quality guitar will have between 21 and 24 frets on it. In order to know which fret you need to place your finger a dot appears on the diagram in front of you.
However when looking at these tabs you notice that all of the numbers appear on the same line one after another and the same goes for which fret you need to be by. Then all you have to do is place your fingers in the location required and then just pluck that one string and no others. This tab clearly shows that you must only play this note and this one note only.
If however a number appears on each of the lines and they are stacked one on top of the other, the tab is telling you that you need to play all of these notes at the same time. You do this by strumming all six strings together at once.
As you learn to read tabs, you will also come across things such as Hammer-ons, Pull-offs, Bends and Slides. The Hammer-ons are clearly indicated on the tab diagram by the letter "h". So for example, you may see the 7h9 notation on a line. As for Pull-offs these are noted by the letter "p" in the same way as the Hammer-ons, whilst Bends are indicated by the letter "b" and Slides are noted by a "/" (slash).
Once you have learnt the basics of reading tabs, carry out a search online for easy acoustic guitar tabs. Then select a very basic song that you know well and start to play around with it. However, it is important to note that reading and then playing acoustic guitar tabs does take some getting used to. But you will be surprised at just how quickly you can pick them up once you know how to read them.
Also being able to hear the song that you are trying to learn makes it much easier for you to learn it as well. Even if you do think that you remember how it goes, by listening to it whilst you are learning will help you with rhythm and detail of the song as well.
Using acoustic guitar tabs to learn to play the guitar can be a great deal of fun and before long; you will be able to play several different songs. Which you cannot only play for your own pleasure but also for impressing friends and family at parties as well.
Author Resource:
Above we have provided information on just what acoustic guitar tabs are, but if you would like to learn more about acoustic guitars including courses then click on the link here Acoustic Guitar Information .
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