How to Read Music
There are two methods used to write guitar music: traditional music notation (using music notes, 3) and tablature. Both are used in this book but you need only use one method. Most guitarists find tablature easier to read.
However, it is important to learn to read traditional music notation as well. Nearly all sheet music is written in traditional notation. A brief introduction to traditional notation is given on the facing page. To learn it thoroughly, see Progressive Beginner Guitar.
Tablature
Tablature is a method of indicating the position of notes on the fretboard. There are six "tab" lines each representing one of the six strings of the guitar. Study the following diagram.
When a number is placed on one of the lines, it indicates the fret location of a note.
This indicates the open 3rd string (a G note).
This indicates the 3rd fret of the 5th string (a C note).
