BC-108 • Read TAB and Chord Boxes

[justinguitar]

Lesson Link: http://justinguitar.com/en/BC-108-TABandBoxes.php

Questions...

[myfingertipshurt]

Why are tabs written upside down?

It would make more sense to me to have the line representing the strings be in the same order as the strings are on the guitar instead of backwards.

I'm already dyslexic enough.

[Tourniquet]

Why are tabs written upside down?

It would make more sense to me to have the line representing the strings be in the same order as the strings are on the guitar instead of backwards.

I'm already dyslexic enough.

It's the way the majority do it.
While it might seem upside down to you it makes more sense when you consider perspective.
Hold the guitar in playing position and look down at the fretboard, you are looking at it upside down.... Might as well write and read it that way.

[myfingertipshurt]

never thought about it that way.

[Darka]

Hi everyone,

Been learning the guitar for just week now (with the help of Justin!) and have a question on reading tab, specifically the tab diagram on the BC-108 course, http://www.justinguitar.com/en/BC-108-TABandBoxes.php.

How do you play the first item on the tab sheet, I understand single notes and chords but don't quite get this:

2
0
0
-
-
0

The two empty lines confuse me, is this a chord or something else? and how do I play it?

regards,
Jonathan

[close2u]

this is really an example of what tab looks like and how to make sense of it

empty lines mean you don't play anything on those strings
so
the specific you ask about is
open bottom E string (thick e)
A and D strings not played
open G and B strings
Fret 2 of top E string

therefore 4 notes played simultaneously

play it with fingerstyle

thumb on bottom e
fingers 1, 2 and 3 on strings 1, 2 and 3

it's a hard one to strum and mute the A and D strings

what's it called? ... need time to figure that

notes are E, G, B, F#
E = 1st,
G = flat 3rd,
B = 5th and
F# = 9th

is it E minor 9?

[Darka]

Thanks close2u,

I suspected it was fingerstyle but wanted to check before I learn the wrong thing.

Thanks for your help,
regards,