How tablature works
Each line of a tab staff is a string, and the numbers you write on it are the frets to press. On guitar tab the top line is the thinnest string (high E) and the bottom line the thickest (low E), so the staff looks like the strings seen from above when you hold the guitar. Write 0 for an open string; numbers stacked on top of each other are played together as a chord.
- Guitar: 6 lines, top to bottom E B G D A E in standard tuning.
- Bass: 4 lines, top to bottom G D A E.
- Ukulele: 4 lines, top to bottom A E C G in standard tuning.
For standard notation, print blank staff paper.
Printing tips
- Print at 100% (Actual size), not Fit to page, so squares and line spacing keep their exact size.
- Light lines (gray or light blue) are easy to write over and fade into the background of a scan or photo; use darker lines for drawing practice or when the paper will be photocopied.
- Need a stack? Set the number of pages and print the PDF once, or print one page and photocopy it.
- Thicker paper (24 to 32 lb or 90 to 120 gsm) takes ink pens and markers without bleeding through.