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This page is designed to offer general knowledge along with tips and tricks to help you master Avett material.
How to Read Tablature
Guitar tablature (aka “tabs”) is basically sheet music for the guitar and other stringed instruments. Luckily, reading and writing tabs does not require the ability to read music, and is quick, easy and straightforward once you get the hang of it.
The dashed lines represent the strings of the guitar. The viewpoint can be thought of as follows: hold the guitar face up in your lap, and look down at the neck. What you are looking at is what is represented by tab lines:
High E string--> e----------------------------------
B----------------------------------
G----------------------------------
D----------------------------------
A----------------------------------
Low E string--> E----------------------------------
Now then, the actual notes are represented by numbers. The numbers correspond to the fret number for that particular string. This is the tab representation of a (G) chord:
e----3--- B-------- G-------- D-------- A----2--- E----3---
Notice that the numbers are lined up with one another. This means that they are played simultaneously. But what if the numbers don't line up? Simple. Tablature is read left to right, just like the sentences on this page.
e---------3---- B-------------- G-------------- D-------------- A-----2-------- E--3-----------
The above diagram would be played by striking the 3rd fret on the low E string, then the 2nd on the A string, then the 3rd on the high E string. That's all there is to it!
Lefties, you'll notice this system wasn't exactly created with you guys in mind. But the principle is the same: left to right.
Effects
Occasionally letters are used to signify special actions or sounds. Such effects include “hammer” or “hammer-on” (h), “pull-off” (p),
“slide” (s), and “bend” (b).
Hammer and Pull-off
Hammer-on and pull-off are opposite effects of one another. A hammer-on is done by striking a fretted string, then “hammering” a different finger onto a higher fret without striking the string again. Example:
e------------- B------------- G------------- D---2h3------- A------------- E-------------
The above is played by striking the D string, fretted at 2, then “hammering” a different finger to fret 3. Remember, the string is only struck once.
A pull-off is just the opposite. Refer to the previous diagram. Use your index finger to fret the D string at #2. Simultaneously use your middle finger to fret #3. Now strike the D string and “pull” your middle finger off, leaving your index finger on #2. You can see how these effects are opposite one another. Below is the tab for this:
e--------- B--------- G--------- D--3p2---- A--------- E---------
Notice the 3 comes before the 2 in this diagram. Remember: left to right. The note played first is the one written first.
Slide
The slide effect is pretty straightforward. Example:
e------------ B------------ G---3s7------ D------------ A------------ E------------
Strike the G string at the 3rd fret and slide your finger up to the 7th fret. Ta-da!
Bend
Bend is also pretty self explanatory. Pushing the strings up or down while fretting causes a slight change in pitch and gives a “bluesy” sound. It's written simply like so:
e--------- B--------- G---3b---- D--------- A--------- E---------
So there you have it! Now you're ready to wail! Here are some tabs with great examples of tab lines and effects. Enjoy!
Capos
| The word capo is an abbreviated form of the phrase capo tasto, (Italian: "head tie"). These ingenious devices allow for altering of the musical key of a stringed instrument without adjusting the strings themselves. Capos are very useful in regards to Avett material, since nearly every song is composed exclusively of open chords. Many songs in their album version are played with capos and essentially all others can be "capo-ed" to adjust to the player's preferences, vocal range, etc. |
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