Guitar tablature has really helped to make the guitar such a popular instrument. Easy guitar tabs, like the ones below, help both beginning and more advanced guitar players learn new songs fast. Before getting to the tabs, let’s cover a few basics on what tablature is and how to read it.
Guitar Tab Basics
Using the guitar tab system, guitar rhythm and lead parts are presented in a visual, intuitive manner that does not require knowledge of standard musical notation. In fact, tablature has become the “language” for communicating how to play guitar songs. The tab for a six-string guitar with standard guitar tuning begins with a staff of six lines. For example, the tablature for the shape of a C major chord looks like this:
E |-----0------|
B |-----1------|
G |-----0------|
D |-----2------|
A |-----3------|
E |-----x------|
The number on each line corresponds to the fret on the neck of the guitar to be played. Fret "0" means that string is played open, or without any fingering. Fret one is the first fret from the headstock. Guitar tablature is done from high-to-low and left-to-right, like a musical staff. The bottom line on tablature corresponds to the "thick" E string, the one producing the lowest note. The low E string is not played (denoted by x) during a C major chord.
Below is a list of songs with fairly easy guitar tabs. The songs are mostly rock and pop songs, starting from the 60’s up through today. Bands include the Beatles, Coldplay, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Green Day, Nirvana, U2, and Neil Young among others. Simply click on the link, and ENJOY! In some cases there is a link to more complete lessons with audio and extensive explanation.
Note: playing these tabs requires some basic guitar playing skills and the ability to read tab. If you are a pure “newbie”, you should establish some basic foundational skills and knowledge first, such as with
this free beginners guitar playing guide.
Guitar Alliance Easy Guitar Tabs with Audio and Video-
This is a great resource, with free access to 10 guitar song lessons courtesy of Guitar Alliances Riff-O-Matic that feature accurate riff transcriptions with looping audio examples so you can practice along with the song segment until you've got it down. They also includes tips and tricks on how to play featured songs and riffs, so you can go beyond just the tab and find the easiest and most effective way to learn the song. Video examples of the riffs and complete transcriptions to the songs are provided at no cost.
Free tabs with audio and video for 10 popular rock songs. This is an excellent free resource, and if you like it a more extensive library of songs can be purchased.
Disclaimer:
Most song sheet music, lyrics, and tabs are subject to copyright protection, other than those in the public domain. Guitar Players Toolbox policy is to not publish music without the copyright holders permission. We link to third party websites that publish music and tabs, and rely on the operators of those sites to comply with all applicable copyright law for the material they publish.