understand how to play this tab

[rah_73_1999]

Hi

I don't understand this image that is attached.

Can some one help me on how to play this.

I basically am confused what Am( I know it's a chord and I can play that) but then what's 555 mean

https://photos.app.goo.gl/uoC3Ywc2QMVkhX8C9


Thanks a lot

[dhalbert]

The 555 means fret the top three strings at the fifth fret. This always means the same thing regardless of the chord notation.

An A minor chord has A, C, and E in it. A is the "root". The conventional music notation makes it clear that this is an inverted chord, in the order CEA from lowest to highest note. It is still A minor, it's just that the A in this case is the highest note instead of the lowest.

[dhalbert]

How to read tab: https://www.justinguitar.com/guitar-...d-boxes-bc-108

[Matts67]

the 5-5-5 means you bar the top 3 strings (G-B-E) at the 5th fret. 5-6-7 means you play 5 on the high E, 6 on the B, and 7 on the G.

[MartinGibsonFan]

I'm so glad I don't even try to decipher notation.

What that first screenshot tells me is that

Am is being played at the 5th fret in the Em chord shape

Dm is being played at the 5th fret in the Am chord shape

For me, trying to sight read any of those diagrams would be a fools errand.

J

[Earl49]

The barred version of the Am chord is an Em shape at the seventh fret and a full barre behind it at the fifth fret. It would be written as 577555 in tab. All they are saying is to play the third, second, and first strings fretted at the fifth fret -- only part of the whole chord.

[rah_73_1999]

Hi

Thanks for prompt reply. Need to study the replies

[MartinGibsonFan]

When I say ' played at the 5th fret '

I meant barred (with the index finger) at the 5th fret

Just to clarify

J

[JonPR]

BTW, the other signs above the tab, mean a down and upstroke for each pair of chords.

[JerrysGuitarBar]

Understanding the notation above the tab will help with the rhythm too.
This should sound kind of reggae-like.
It's all played on off-beats.
(1) AND A (2) AND A (3) AND A (4) AND A
where you don't play the 1 2 3 4, you just play the 'and a's'
...if that makes sense...

[davidbeinct]

Originally Posted by JerrysGuitarBar

Understanding the notation above the tab will help with the rhythm too.
This should sound kind of reggae-like.
It's all played on off-beats.
(1) AND A (2) AND A (3) AND A (4) AND A
where you don't play the 1 2 3 4, you just play the 'and a's'
...if that makes sense...

I’m glad you posted that, I was going to. I had a teacher years ago who tried to get me sight reading. It didn’t stick but reading the rests, bars, dots et al did. Somehow even with years away from playing it stuck.
That looks like a tricky little rhythm exercise, I might have to try it.

[MakingMusic]

Once you get the hang of it, TABS are so much easier to read for guitar than sheet music. Good pointers noted above.

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by MakingMusic

Once you get the hang of it, TABS are so much easier to read for guitar than sheet music.

Provided you have timing indications, or you know the tune already.

[MartinGibsonFan]

Personally, I'd get some actual recordings of the song and listen, then maybe study the tabs to get a clear understanding of the chords and lead lines. Reading strictly from nomenclature would be an unending frustration for me. I think listening to the artist and getting the nuance and feeling of the song can help provide putting emotion in your playing.

I'd lean more towards learning from listening, rather than learning from tablature.

My 2 Cents,

J