- Definition
Tablature, or "tab," is a way to write down music for instruments like the guitar, showing you where to put your fingers on the strings by using numbers instead of traditional music notes. It's like a simple map for playing a song on your instrument.
A '0' on a line in the tablature means you play that string open, without pressing down on any fret.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Tablature is like a map for your fingers on the guitar, showing you which string to play and which fret to press down.
Ask your child: Look at this tablature. Where does it tell your finger to go?
Common mix-up: Kids might think the lines are a musical staff and the numbers show which finger to use. The lines represent the actual guitar strings and the numbers tell you which fret to press.
Examples
- A '3' on the bottom line means you press the third fret on the thickest string and play it.
- Numbers stacked vertically, like a '2' on one line and a '3' on the line below it, are played together as a chord.
- A series of numbers on one line, like 0-1-3, shows a sequence of notes to play one after another on that same string.
tablature is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
