For every beginner guitarist, tabs are the gateway to learning your favorite songs. Guitar tablature (or “tabs”) is a simplified form of musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the fretboard rather than which notes to play. While it’s incredibly accessible, learning how to read guitar tabs correctly takes a bit of time—and often, new learners make mistakes that slow their progress or cause frustration.
This blog will help you understand the most common mistakes reading guitar tabs and how to avoid them—so you can play with confidence and accuracy.
What Are Guitar Tabs?
Before we dive into the errors, let’s do a quick refresher. Guitar tabs are a visual representation of your guitar strings, with numbers indicating which fret to press. Unlike traditional sheet music, tabs are easier to read and require no knowledge of music theory—making them a go-to for beginners.
But ease doesn’t mean error-free.
8 Guitar Tab Mistakes Beginners Commonly Make
Let’s take a look at the top guitar tab mistakes new learners make and how to fix them:
1. Reading Tabs Upside Down
One of the first and most frequent mistakes is assuming the top line of the tab corresponds to the thickest string (low E). In reality, the top line represents the high E string, and the bottom line is the low E string. Reversing this can completely throw off your playing.
Fix: Always remember—the lines are like looking down at your guitar while holding it.
2. Ignoring the Rhythm
Tabs show where to place your fingers, not when or for how long to play a note. Beginners often misinterpret timing and play everything at the same pace.
Fix: Listen to the song as you follow along with the tab. Pair it with audio references or watch video tutorials to understand the rhythm better.
3. Not Tuning the Guitar Before Playing
You might play the right fret on the right string—but if your guitar is out of tune, it still won’t sound right.
Fix: Always tune your guitar before you begin a session. It’s a non-negotiable step in learning how to read guitar tabs effectively.
4. Confusing Hammer-Ons, Pull-Offs & Slides
Special symbols in tabs (like “h” for hammer-on, “p” for pull-off, and “/” for slides) often go unnoticed by beginners.
Fix: Learn what each symbol means. These techniques bring life to your playing, so don’t skip them!
5. Overlooking Repeats and Symbols
Symbols like ||: :|| or “x” for muted strums are crucial. New learners often ignore these details and end up missing major parts of the song.
Fix: Read all parts of the tab carefully—including the notes and symbols that might seem secondary.
6. Not Checking Finger Positioning
Playing the right fret with the wrong finger can create bad habits and slow down your progress.
Fix: Look for finger placement recommendations or experiment to find the most comfortable position that supports smooth transitions.
7. Relying Only on Tabs
Tabs are great, but they’re not the full picture. Relying solely on tabs can prevent you from developing your ear or learning chord structures.
Fix: Use tabs as one tool in your kit—pair them with chord charts, listening, and basic theory lessons.
8. Skipping Practice of Simple Songs
Jumping straight into complex riffs or solos may feel exciting, but skipping the basics can backfire.
Fix: Begin with easy melodies or riffs to build muscle memory and confidence in your ability to read and play.
Learning Made Easier with FSM
If you’re struggling with guitar tab mistakes or just want to speed up your learning, you’re not alone. At Furtados School of Music (FSM), our expert faculty is equipped to help beginners understand how to read guitar tabs step by step, using structured lessons, interactive exercises, and one-on-one feedback.
FSM offers beginner to advanced guitar courses led by experienced musicians who not only teach guitar learning steps, but also make sure you build a strong foundation in technique, expression, and musicality.
Final Notes
Learning to read tabs is a journey—don’t be discouraged by early errors. By avoiding these common mistakes reading guitar tabs, you’ll become a more confident, accurate player and enjoy your learning process even more.
So tune up, slow down, and take it one fret at a time. And when you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, check out the guitar programs at FSM, where real progress meets real passion.