


This indicates that you press the A string down at the third fret and leave the rest of the strings open. The 3 is located on the A line, and there are zeros on the E, C, and G line. Essentially, it looks like the number 3000 – but flipped into a vertical position. The C major chord or open C chord is a really simple example of how a chord looks on ukulele tablature and it’s one of the first ones you should try. You might see as few as two numbers shown, or all four strings might be indicated. More Advanced Notes and Chords on Ukulele TabsĪnytime you see numbers arranged in a vertical line, the tablature is showing you a chord. It’s worth noting that some ukulele tabs include music and words to help you sing along, or to have a friend play another instrument with you.
Ukulele tablatures how to#
It’s easiest to learn how to read ukulele tabs by starting with songs you’re familiar with – this way, you have a sense of the rhythm and tune – and it won’t be at all difficult to follow along. These show just one fret and one string at a time. When you’re first starting out, you’ll be reading only the easiest ukulele tabs. The numbers show you which fret to press your finger down on, and they’re positioned on top of the string that you should pluck to get the desired note. That’s it! You just learned the secret to reading ukulele tabs. Press the G string down onto the third fret and pluck the string. Grab your ukulele again! Pretend that you see a ukulele tab with the number 3 on the bottom line. How to Read Ukulele Tabs: Putting Basic Elements Together Think of it just like an “O” for open string.įinally, it’s worth noting that there is no correlation between ukulele tab numbers and your fingers. If you see a zero, that means you should pluck the string that’s indicated, but without pressing down on a fret. When reading ukulele tabs, the numbers represent the frets on your instrument, starting closest to the headstock. What do the Numbers on Ukulele Tabs Mean? The string closest to you is G, and the one furthest away is A. You can easily remember this by grabbing your ukulele and laying it down on your leg, a desk, or a table, with the headstock pointing to the left as if you were going to play. The horizontal lines on ukulele tabs represent the strings on your ukulele. Where chords show you the strings on your ukulele vertically, tabs turn your instrument on its side. Tabs aren’t an alternative to chords but it’s easy to understand why some beginners get the two systems confused. If you’re familiar with ukulele chord charts, you see vertical lines that represent the strings on your ukulele. Ready? You’re about to learn how to read ukulele tabs. The good news is that we’re here to clear things up. Let’s face it: All of those numbers and lines are pretty confusing when you don’t know what you’re looking at. Learning how to read ukulele tabs might seem challenging at first. Tablature – or “tab” for short – is a quick, easy method that’s used for writing ukulele songs and tunes for other stringed instruments.
