Reading Tab & Chord Diagrams
Two simple pictures unlock almost everything guitarists read: tab for single notes and riffs, and chord diagrams for chord shapes. Here's how each one works.
Tab: notes in sequence
Tablature ("tab") draws six horizontal lines, one per string, with a number on a line telling you which fret to press. It reads left to right like a timeline — perfect for riffs, solos, and single-note melodies where order matters.
Chord diagrams: notes all at once
A chord diagram flips the picture — it draws the fretboard standing up vertically, as if you turned the guitar to face you. All the dots you see are played together, as one chord:
- The 6 vertical lines are strings, low E on the left to high E on the right.
- The horizontal lines are frets, with the thick top line as the nut.
- Dots show finger placement; O means open, × means don't play.
Where to go deeper
This lesson is the map — for the full picture of each system, head to our dedicated lessons: Guitar & Bass Tablature Basics covers building your own tab riff, and Guitar Chords for Beginners covers all eight essential open-chord diagrams.
Common questions
What is the difference between tab and a chord diagram?
Tab shows single notes or riffs in sequence over time using six horizontal lines. A chord diagram shows a full chord all at once as a vertical fretboard picture with dots.
Do I need to learn both tab and chord diagrams?
Yes — chord diagrams get you playing rhythm and songs fast; tab lets you learn riffs, solos, and exact melodic lines note by note.
How do you read a chord diagram?
Vertical lines are strings (low E on the left), horizontal lines are frets, dots show where to press, O means open, x means don't play.
How do you read guitar tab?
Six lines represent the six strings; a number on a line is the fret to press on that string, with 0 meaning open.
See tab and chord diagrams side by side
Melody Monkey shows tab, chord diagrams, and a live fretboard together so you never lose the connection between them.
Open the free app →Still stuck? Ask Your Personal Music Teacher about Reading Tab & Chord Diagrams →