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APPROACH, METHODOLOGY.   
YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY   
MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE   


 

  The Guitar Tablature enables those who do not know any (or little) Musical theory or the position of the notes on their instrument, to learn the Guitar all the same. It is often provided as a substitute for (or a supplement to) the standard musical notation.
   The Tablature is represented by six lines (one by string) with the TAB indication at the beginning. In this method, you will always find it placed under the standard musical notation stave. Using figure #1 below, locate the place of the low and treble strings, as well as the name of each string (E, A, D, G, B and E again) which are also called 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, starting with the treble string (1st string).

tablature fig I

  The principle is simple and makes it possible to play the Guitar parts quickly without the help of Musical theory. Each number on the line(s) indicates the fret and the string at which the left hand finger(s) stops the string to obtain the desired note.
   To emit sonority it is necessary, of course, to strike the concerned string with your right hand (with a flat pick or the fingers). The fingerings of the two hands are indicated on both upper and lower sides of the musical notation stave. See figure #2.

Figure II.

These two logos will remind you which technique to use for the right hand : fingers or pick.
right hand playing indications

 

YOU'RE A BEGINNER,
BUT YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH
THE MUSICAL THEORY

 It is obvious that you are invited to decipher directly with the musical notation stave, although the Guitar tablature can, initially, help you find your fingerings and the position of the notes on the Guitar's neck.

 

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