Learning Ukulele with Curt
The Trouble with TAB
TAB, short for tablature is a form of musical notation using numbers and letters on a staff that corresponds to the number of strings of a fretted string instrument. These numbers tell a player which fret to place their fingers on the fingerboard. TAB has a history with lute music from centuries ago and has found wide use in the music publishing industry, catering to the guitarist who can't or doesn't want to learn to read.
Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications
Authors(s):
Curt Sheller
Category: Reading
Instrument: Ukulele
Subjects(s):
Reading
•
Intermediate
•
TAB
•
Basics
•
Advanced
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1 March 2026
LESSONSeries
: Before You Pick Up Your Uke, Getting Started Basics
Series
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The Trouble with TAB
TAB, short for tablature is a form of musical notation using numbers and letters on a staff that corresponds to the number of strings of a fretted string instrument. These numbers tell a player which fret to place their fingers on rather than which pitches to play.
TAB has a history with lute music from centuries ago and has found wide use in the music publishing industry catering to the guitarist who can't or don't want to learn to read. TAB doesn't exist in mainstream music, primarily by some music magazines and on the Internet.
Learning to read TAB can be accomplished in minutes. Learning to read standard music notation takes a lot of dedicated work and is well worth the effort.
Today's TAB was initially adapted in the guitar world as way to give wider access to people that where not traditionally trained musicians that could read music. Think Rock'n'roll, the FOlk Boom, and British Invasion of the early 50s and 60s and the
guitar. A way of playing an instrument without the actually knowing the names of the notes that your where playing or have to read tradition music notation. Played single notes using TAB and chord using chord grids. You did the
whereand didn't care the
whator musical
why. You didn't need to know the meaning — didn't actually care.
Initially, TAB did not incorporate any rhythmic notation. You had to know the song to even have a chance of playing it. So there goes one of the biggest reasons for using TAB. Not wanting to read standard music notation.
One of the biggest drawbacks for TAB is it has to show only one of a note's possible note locations on the guitar or ukulele. For six-string guitar in standard tuning, all but the lowest five notes on string six, the lowest-pitched string (the open string and frets 1, 2, 3, and 4), have at least one, if not multiple, note locations. If it is a TAB of a particular artist's recording, they tend to show where that actual artist played it.
A second drawback for TAB is you are locked out of a wide, wide selection of published music written in standard music notation. You are stuck in the guitar or ukulele world and have no access to this wide selection of music.
A third drawback is your communication is limited to a small circle of
musiciansif you can't communicate with fellow musicians in
musicalterms.
I think anything that separates guitar players (ed. ukulele players also) from the rest of the music world is bad. Tablature is a certain secret code only for a guitar player. So you have guitar players who can read tablature and not music.— Peter Bernstein
TAB, short for tablature is a form of musical notation using numbers and letters on a staff that corresponds to the number of strings of a fretted string instrument. These numbers tell a player which fret to place their fingers on rather than which pitches to play.
TAB has a history with lute music from centuries ago and has found wide use in the music publishing industry catering to the guitarist who can't or don't want to learn to read. TAB doesn't exist in mainstream music, primarily by some music magazines and on the Internet.
Learning to read TAB can be accomplished in minutes. Learning to read standard music notation takes a lot of dedicated work and is well worth the effort.
Today's TAB was initially adapted in the guitar world as way to give wider access to people that where not traditionally trained musicians that could read music. Think Rock'n'roll, the FOlk Boom, and British Invasion of the early 50s and 60s and the
guitar. A way of playing an instrument without the actually knowing the names of the notes that your where playing or have to read tradition music notation. Played single notes using TAB and chord using chord grids. You did the
whereand didn't care the
whator musical
why. You didn't need to know the meaning — didn't actually care.
Initially, TAB did not incorporate any rhythmic notation. You had to know the song to even have a chance of playing it. So there goes one of the biggest reasons for using TAB. Not wanting to read standard music notation.
One of the biggest drawbacks for TAB is it has to show only one of a note's possible note locations on the guitar or ukulele. For six-string guitar in standard tuning, all but the lowest five notes on string six, the lowest-pitched string (the open string and frets 1, 2, 3, and 4), have at least one, if not multiple, note locations. If it is a TAB of a particular artist's recording, they tend to show where that actual artist played it.
A second drawback for TAB is you are locked out of a wide, wide selection of published music written in standard music notation. You are stuck in the guitar or ukulele world and have no access to this wide selection of music.
A third drawback is your communication is limited to a small circle of
musiciansif you can't communicate with fellow musicians in
musicalterms.
I think anything that separates guitar players (ed. ukulele players also) from the rest of the music world is bad. Tablature is a certain secret code only for a guitar player. So you have guitar players who can read tablature and not music.— Peter Bernstein
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The Trouble with TAB
A good analogy to learning music is learning language, as music is a language. If you are a tourist and are only visiting a different country that does not speak your native language. You might just learn a tiny bit of the language just to get by or really hope that they know a tiny bit of your language. However, if you are going to stay for an extended time or actually leave there for a while, you might want to learn their language to have a chance of enjoying anything beyond the
touristareas — this IS music and musicians.
Contrary to popular believe and the Internet. TAB is not lyrics with chords. Just the name TAB, short for tablature (countable). (
late 16th cent.: from French, probably from Italian tavolatura, from tavolare ‘set to music’.). It was strictly for telly you where to place you finger(s) using numbers.
Links & Resources
You only need a few links to drive home the point that learning to read standard music notation is a good idea.
These should be MUST viewing. Adam Neely , is one the most articulate musicians that can explain what is going on with music.
- Why You Shouldn't Use Tab (and it's not why you might think!) by Adam Neely
- Should You Learn to Read Sheet Music? by Adam Neely
TAB, does have its place and is just one tool that can be used to help with learning music. It is not a replacement for learning to read standard music notation. TAB is great for beginners and a way to indicate exactly what strings and fret to play a given note. A good way to get beginners interested early.
Download the PDF file for the latest, complete, and most up-to-date version. As well as additional information not presented on-line.
End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!
Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.
Reading Ukulele TAB - Alternate Notation
"TAB" or "Tablature", is an alternate form of musical notation, which tells players where to place their fingers on a particular instrument rather than which pitches to play. TAB is sort of a secret language between guitar players and ukulele players. Although a shortcut to getting started it actually serves to alienate one from the rest of the music world.
Learning the `Ukulele Fingerboard (Finally!!!)
Most players struggle with learning the names of the notes of the ukulele fingerboard. There doesn't seem to a pattern and notes repeat. There is an easy way and "it's easier that you think." Most players know the names of the open strings for their favorite tuning.
A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.
These are Books & Reference Charts that apply to a majority of the lessons on LearningUkulele.com–Learning Ukulele with Curt
.
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning
Finally, learn the names of the
notes of the ukulele fingerboard in C tuning .
Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering
Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.
Book: Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingering It there in one thing that give a ROI (corporate speak for
return in your investment)—it is this— learning the
f*ckingnotes of your OWN instrument. Sorry for the tough talks—but it is sooooo true!
Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.
Book: Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution
Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer
Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think. Book: Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer
Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele
An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing. Book: Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
Reference Charts
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E
Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E
Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes
A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4
Checkout the Books & Reference Charts for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.
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