There are many different ways to read music, but tablatures (abbreviated as "tabs") are one of the most popular ways to learn to play songs on stringed instruments, such as the ukulele. If you are just learning to play the ukulele, you can use tablature to find out where to place your fingers on the neck of the instrument. Playing using tablature is simple, but you will have to learn and understand the basics of this tool, learn to play chords and obtain a special sound key, and discover the rhythm and tempo of each song.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Play Basic Notes
Step 1. Compare the ukulele strings with the tablature diagram
A tablature shows a kind of table of 4 horizontal lines that correspond to the 4 strings of the instrument. In the table, each line is named after the string it represents, from top to bottom: “A (la), E (mi), C (do), G (sol)”. Lay the ukulele flat on a table with the pegbox to the left so that you can understand the correspondence between the lines and the strings.
When you hold the ukulele to play it, the G (G) string is closest to your head, and the A (la) is the closest to your waist
Step 2. Place a finger on the fret number of the indicated string
In the table, the numbers correspond to the fret number of the line (or string) they are on. On the ukulele, count from the headstock towards the body of the instrument. Place your fingertip on the string and press it until it touches the surface of the fret.
- Try not to accidentally touch the other strings, as this can cause them to ring as you play.
- Note that the number does not correspond to the finger you should use to play. You can use the one that seems most comfortable to you to press the string.
Step 3. Pull the string once to play the note
With your fingers, thumb, or a nib, touch the string and let it vibrate. If the fret number is indicated only once, be sure to play the string once. Then move your fingers to the appropriate position to play the next chord or note.
If you don't get an ideal sound when you first strike the string, try adjusting the pressure at the fret. You can push harder or loosen a bit as needed and play the string again to see if the quality improves
Step 4. If the tablature says "0", play a string without pressing any frets
A “0” means that you should pull the single string, without placing your fingers on any fret. Just use your hand or a pen to vibrate the string.
If there is a “0,” be sure to keep your fingers away from the frets of the string you are playing. If your finger touches the string, it can cause the string to stop vibrating and the sound to stop
Step 5. Read the tablature from left to right to play the sequence of notes
Once you hit the first indicated string, look to the right at the next column of numbers and rearrange your fingers to play the next note. Keep reading from left to right until you come to a symbol or chord that you don't know.
Don't advance to another note until you feel that the current note sounds good
Step 6. Take your time while playing the song the first few times
When you're first learning to play the ukulele, it's best not to worry about finishing a song quickly or playing it flawlessly. Better to delay and learn where to place your fingers. Once you know where to play, you can practice more often to gain speed and play in actual tempo.
It may help to focus on learning one song at a time so that you can memorize it as you play it
Part 2 of 3: Understanding Chords and Other Symbols
Step 1. Place your fingers on 2 or more frets if the numbers line up vertically
As you look at the columns of the tablature, you may notice that there are 2 or more numbers in the same column. Press the fret number on the indicated strings and make sure your fingers are not touching other strings.
- When you first learn a chord, your fingers can feel strange. Don't be afraid to try different postures, as long as you press the correct chords and strings.
- For example, the C (C) chord is one of the easiest to play and is the first that many beginners learn. In a tablature it looks like this:
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- A | --3-- |
- E | --0-- |
-
C | --0-- |
- G | --0-- |
-
Step 2. Play the strings that have a marked fret to play the chord
Once your fingers are in the correct posture on each fret, you will need to use your other hand to play the indicated strings. Do the strumming motion with a finger or a pen on the strings, or pull multiple strings at the same time.
If one of the strings doesn't have a fret marked on the tablature, don't play it while playing the chord
Step 3. Switch your fingers to the next position on the frets and tap the strings to sound the chord
Once you've played a chord in the tablature, move to the next column of numbers to the right and adjust the position of your fingers to play the next chord or note. Play it, then switch positions again to continue playing new chords.
Take the time to learn the chords in a song. Practice shifting posture from chord to chord without ringing them. In this way, your fingers will get used to the movement they must make during the song
Step 4. Use the “hammer on” technique to switch to a higher chord
These notes are distinguished by a number, followed by the letter "h" and a second number. To play them, you must place one finger on the indicated first fret, strike the string, and quickly put another finger on the indicated second fret while lifting the first finger that you placed.
- For example, a slur on string A (a) might look like “2h3”. In this case, you would have to place one finger on the second fret of the A string, pluck the string, and then quickly place another finger on the third fret as you release the second fret.
- Sometimes a ligature is also marked with the symbol "^".
Step 5. Identify the notes of a downward slur or “pull off” to change to a lower chord
These are marked with the number, followed by the letter "p" and one more number. Place one finger on the first fret indicated and one on the second, and play the string. Then remove your finger from the first marked fret.
- For example, a slur on the string E (mi) could be written as "3p2". In this case, you will need to place your fingers on the second and third frets of the E string, play the string, and lift your finger on the third fret to lower a semitone.
- As with uplines, downlines are sometimes marked with the “^” symbol, especially when you are switching between the two types.
Part 3 of 3: Discovering the Rhythm and Tempo of the Song
Step 1. Look for the sign of the time at the beginning of the tablature if there is one
The time sign looks like a fraction without the dividing line and goes to the beginning of the tablature. In general, the time used is 2, 3 or 4 over 4 (or quarters), which means that 1 beat is represented by a quarter note. The top number represents the beats in a measure.
- For example, 4 4 (four quarters) means that there are 4 beats in a measure and 1 quarter note is worth 1 beat.
- If there is a number other than 4 at the bottom, such as 2, then a different note will represent 1 beat. For example, in a beat of 3 2, a blank is used to represent 1 beat.
- Note that not all tablatures include the time of the song and some use lines to represent how long you should let a note or chord play.
Step 2. Play a quarter note if there is a long line at the bottom of the tablature
A quarter note represents 1 beat in a 3 4 or 4 4 song. When there is a long line under the note or chord column, it means that you should play the sound and count “1” in your mind.
- Some tablatures include the time symbol in the standard notation. If this is the case of the tablature that you are going to use, you can find it on the far left. If it's not 4 4, one on top of the other, then the bars are not 4 beats long.
- No matter how many beats are in each measure, a quarter note will always be 1 beat of the measure.
Step 3. If there is a short line at the bottom of the tablature, hold the sound for the duration of a half note
The white always represents half the length of the measure, which is normally 4 beats. In a standard measure of quarters (4 beats), the blank sounds for 2 of the 4 beats.
In some cases, such as with a beat of 2 3, the half note is held for 1 1/2 beats, since the bottom of the symbol represents the total number of beats that the measure lasts
Step 4. Play the note for the length of the measure if there is no line under the tablature
If you can't find a mark at the bottom of the note, you should let it play for the entire measure. In a song with a beat of 4 4, you will have to keep the note playing for the 4 beats that the measure lasts.
When you first learn to play, you may not be able to make a note or chord last 4 beats. Just remember to count 4 times in your mind before making the switch
Step 5. Listen to an audio of the song to understand what the rhythm and tempo are like
If you've never heard a song before, it can be difficult to understand what chords should sound like from the tablature data alone, which is the symbol for the time and duration of each note or chord. Find the song you want to learn on the Internet played on any instrument and listen carefully. Then try humming the tune while reading and playing what the tablature says.
- This will help you understand what the melody should sound like when played at the correct time and rhythm.
- If you have trouble understanding rhythm, beat length, or tempo, consider using a metronome. This tool produces a sound at a beat set for a song. You can make it fast or slow, or you can make it compatible with a specific song.
Advice
- Be patient while learning to play a new instrument. Remember that mastering the ukulele takes a lot of practice.
- If you have difficulty putting into practice all the necessary parts to play the ukulele, consider taking private lessons for expert help and advice.