Emotions can be genuinely viewed as a universal language without argument. To refine this thought, a look at those things that most profoundly provoke the spirit needs to be had, and it can be said that nothing can accomplish this as well as music. The subtle, intricate nuances of the guitar, specifically, have a way of reaching into the soul, pulling out humanity’s most adoring and dreadful attributes, and vibrating them to the surface of the collective psyche. Perhaps even more fascinating than the spirit of the guitar is the ability of nearly anyone from any walk of life to obtain the skills needed to master the art of the strum. All it takes is the willingness to learn, practice, and the ability to read music. 

With its vast range and dynamic capabilities, the guitar has mesmerized listeners for centuries. Although it’s easy to understand why beautiful tones and harmonic melodies drive straight to the heart, a complex world of guitar notes lies behind every pluck of the strings. For beginners, reading sheet music can feel daunting and nearly impossible. However, with the proper resources and the ambition to grow, reading music becomes an enlightening experience. The simplest way to view sheet music is by seeing the pages like those in a novel that, instead of using words, uses a web of small symbols to tell its story. The stories told between the lines of delicately crafted sheet music can rapidly lead to grand musical narratives, but first, the reader must understand the language of music.

By growing an understanding and appreciation for the language of music, you can ultimately unlock the full potential of your instrument and soon be playing with newfound confidence. The ability to read music, however, does not happen overnight. It takes time and dedication, no matter which form of sheet music you decide to learn. With that said, many beginners utilize a form of sheet music called “tablature” or “tabs.” For most people, the guitar tab is a lot quicker to grasp and a beneficial tool for mastering guitar basics. Tabs provide the reader with all six guitar strings drawn as horizontal lines. Unless otherwise specified, each string or line is labeled by standard tuning (EADGBE top-down). Using dots to represent finger placement and vertical lines to represent individual frets on the fretboard, tabs draw a crystal clear picture of each note or riff to be played.

While tabs are simpler to read, they also have their own set of problems. For example, where standard sheet music tells the reader when to pick up or down, rest, and guides the overall flow of the strum, tabs give only something more akin to still picture frames. They generally require the reader to have a strong familiarity with the rhythm and timing of each stroke already in place to master the desired song, as it provides zero guidance aside from whatever may be annotated in sidenotes. Nevertheless, whether you are attempting to read tablature or traditional sheet music, learning the language of the guitar is an invaluable experience that will surely bring multi-layered realms of delight to yourself and all those within earshot of your craft.

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