Electronic Guitar Help
 

Do you guys know any good sites that teach you how to read guitar tabs? My brother is getting into it and he really enjoys it. He understands the basics but not advanced stuff. For example, http://www.guitaretab.com/j/jackson-michael/8967.htm has a tab for "Beat it" by Michael Jackson. He doesn't understand the Verse part where you have 9,9, and 7 at the same time. How would you play something like that?

when the numbers are inline then you play them at once, that is called a chord.

in this case it's an (E) chord

good lucK!

My recommendation is that he learn to read regular music. Once you have done this tablature will be like reading a 1st grade level book. Tablature is the paint by numbers version of music. Not trying to step on anyone's toes - or offend anyone.

In reference to playing that chord - do a search on google for "guitar chord E". They should have some illustrations. Typically you place you index finger across the entire neck at the 7th fret and then lay 2 other fingers across the other 2 strings on the 9th fret. Wow...that's hard to explain in words.

Like everyone has said it's a the 'power' chord version of E. Number that are in line are to be played together.

the 'xxxxx' I think means you lightly place your fingers on the strings and strum to cause a 'chunk' sound NOT a musical note.

The last note 15\ I think means you hit the note (on the LOW E 15th fret) and slide it down the neck (still pressing down) and taper off.

It is hard to explain and I think that is how it should be...but it has been a long time for me.

It's a good idea to learn to read regular music, but most guitarists prefer to read Tab. It's not really the "dumbed" down version most people think. It's true that most tab these days, especially found on the internet, are missing key components to the song (such as time signature, speed, etc.) but Tablature has been around since the first stringed instruments were created. It's the most proficient way to read music for an instrument in which you can play the same note in so many different positions.

Good luck on him learning guitar.