How to Read Tabs

The tab should be viewed (idealy) with a square font. This is a font where the letter W and the number 1 take up the same amount of space. The problem with the online stuff is that timing and spacing don't always translate well, which makes it difficult to tab songs people havn't heard (like "Devil's Dance" and "Better Than You")

This is what a tab looks like (or at least how I write them):

e---------------------------
B---------------------------
G---------------------------
D--------5-------------5----
A-----7--------7----7-------
E--0-------6-5---0-------6-5

Each string is listed (although to save space, I sometimes cut out strings not used for a riff) The top string here ('e') is the smallest sring on the guitar with the highest note. The bottom string here ('E') is the largest string on the guitar with the lowest note. Both strings happen to be 'E' in regular tuning. So all the other strings fall into place and it looks somewhat like a guitar neck.

Now, the numbers. The number tells which string and what fret to play.

 
 Ex 1   Ex 2   Ex 3  Ex 4          
e----   ----   -0-   -----------   
B----   -15-   -0-   -----------   
G----   -14-   -1-   ----------9   
D----   ----   -2-   ----5--9--9   
A--3-   ----   -2-   -5--5--7--7   
E----   ----   -0-   -3--3------   

Ex 1: This example shows "middle C" hold the A string (2nd from the top) at the third fret. Just pick the one string.

Ex 2: This example shows basically what example 1 did, but with 2 strings. So just play 2 strings. I have no idea why I put this here.

Ex 3: This example shows an Emajor chord. Hold the A and D strings at the second fret, the G at the first, and the other strings leave open.

Ex 4: This is an example of power chords. They can be played with either the three notes or just two, it doesn't matter much especially with lots of distortion.

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