Following a few requests I’ve finally decided to put together this guide to show you how to read ukulele tab. Hopefully you’ll find it useful…
Tab is actually pretty easy to learn
It can be a little daunting when you first experience a piece of music written down in tab form. It’s actually very simple to understand though and quite easy to get up to speed with quickly. It’s all very logical when you see it for what it is.
The lines of tab
Ukulele tab comprises of numbers and lines. Those 4 horizontal lines relate to the strings on your ukulele. If you didn’t already know that, I’d imagine that this is a bit of a lightbulb moment for you. You’re already well on the way to learning how to read ukulele tab.
Here’s some blank ukulele tab (we’re taking this nice and slow).
The line that appears at the top of the tab represents the string (a string) that is closest to the floor as you hold your ukulele (like you’re playing it). This may seem a little counter-intuitive (the top line being the bottom string) to begin with but you’ll soon get used to it.
The line that appears at the bottom of the tab represents, you’ve guessed it – the string (g string) that is closest to ceiling (or sky if you’re playing outdoors) as you hold you ukulele.
From there on in, you should be able to easily work out which strings the remaining 2 lines relate to on ukulele tab.
There you go, whether you’re playing with re-entrant tuning or a low G, the relationship between the tab and the strings stays the same.
What about the numbers?
So now that we know which string each line of tab relates to, the next thing we need to work out is what the numbers mean.
Here’s an example of some tab with numbers on it…
The numbers actually relate to the frets on your ukulele. It’s important to note that they do not relate to your fingers at all. Generally, tab does not indicate which finger you should use to play a note – that’s for you to decide.
To play through the example above you would need to play the A string at the first fret, then at the second, the third and finally the fourth.
What about a zero I hear you cry. What do I play when the tab has a zero on it? You simply play the relevant string without fretting at all. This is often referred to as an open string.
Tabbed chords
We’ve looked at some individual notes and we know which line of tab relates to which string. The next thing we need to look at is how chords are represented in ukulele tab.
Let’s take a look at everyone’s favourite chord, the open C chord…
The fact that the numbers are lined up means that you play them all together. In the example above you need to play all the strings. The G, C and E do not need to be fretted (the zero is telling you this) and the A string needs fretting at the third fret.
Pretty easy so far? Good.
For now that should get you up and running with how to read ukulele tab but there are more things to know. You might be thinking that I haven’t included anything to do with timing in the post and you’d be right. I’ll be dedicating a whole post to reading timing in the not too distant future but it’s worth noting that there are an awful lot of instances of tab out there that actually don’t include any reference to timing at all.
If you read through this and found it useful, please let me know. This is a section that I’d really like to build upon and develop. Similarly if you have any related questions then either drop me an email or add a comment below.
Music Reading For Ukulele
Finally, if you are interested in improving your knowledge beyond just picking up your ukulele, I’d recommend the course Music Reading For Ukulele by Terry Carter. For just $47 you get a comprehensive video course featuring over 45 videos to help you get to grips with music.
Good scoops!
Good idea to have a beginners guide. One thing that worked for me when I first started using tabs is if you lay the uke in your lap, the strings match the tab. Then, slowly raise it back into position and hold onto that visualization.
There are a lot of other notations and I still see symbols and notations I don’t always understand. Some are standard, but I get the impression that not all tabs are consistent with their styles.
Thanks for the comment Glenn, there’s definitely more to come in terms of the extra symbols, timing and more.
Very useful. Thanks. Look forward to more tips.
Thanks for this! Looking forward to more posts in the series.
I really wish I had had your straightforward explanation when I first encountered tabs, the best explanation I have come across. Will pass it on. Thanks!
Estupendo. Sigue así.
Thanks , you make it so easy.
Thanks, nice clear explanation. This may make a lot of work for you but now about a glossary to explain terms like ‘re-entrant’ to newbies like me?
Hey June, that’s a nice idea. I’ll see what I can do. Re-entrant is just a reference to the tuning of the ukulele. Each string on a guitar is higher than the the previous – this is not the case on a ukulele with a high g string. Essentially when an ascending or descending order is broken (like on a ukulele) it is referred to as re-entrant. Does that help? It’s quite hard to explain!
I think I get it. Is it to compensate for the fact that our ukes have just four strings?
It’s not really to compensate, it’s just another way to tune it.
I am a beginner and so far can only play happy bday. I’m working but during my free time i read this site. this is very helpful, specially this page. I still need to know more about strumming, timings and reading chords. thank you.
what a lightbulb moment simple thanks a lump
Thanks for being so generous with the info you share. I’m 64 years old and TOTALLY new to the ukulele. I never played any instrument and don’t read music at all. I greatly appreciate the way you share the basics in a simple and easy to grasp fashion.
Thank you SO much. You explain tabs the best, and thanks to you and June for throwing in “re-entrant”! I was wondering about that too.
Thanks!
Very helpful post. Your whole website is an awesome resource and is helping me a lot in just the first day here. I appreciate your ability to actually know how to start at the beginning, most teachers assume that people already know the elementary things.
Thanks Sean!
It’s awesome! I am 54 years old and never ever played any musical instrument, read any music or so and I am very sick and even though my hands and brain aren’t in good shape I am trying to learn and you made it Thank you so very much,
Maria
I get it! Thank you!
Hi Dave,
I’m a 46 years old lady who decided to learn how to play the ukulele very recently. The first thing that I did was a Google search and that’s how I found your website. I appreciate your generosity so much. I wanted to find a way to support what you do so I found your Patreon account. I’m now one of your supporters. Please know that the energy and time that you put into this website is highly appreciated by those of us who are total beginners. The way you explain everything is so easy to understand. You are a wonderful teacher and a great communicator.
To my fellow students here, this is the website where you can support Dave as well: https://www.patreon.com/ukulelego/posts
Thanks again,
Elsa
Elsa, thank you so much for your support. It is hugely appreciated. I’d also like to say thanks for the very kind comments. I wish you well with your journey learning to play the ukulele.
Super helpful, great explanation. Thank you!!
You explain well. Thank you. I have no music in my background , yet I am playing. Thank you.
What does a number with (3) brackets around it mean?
These are ghost notes Graeme – they’re barely audible but they’re there. Try and play them softer (sometimes not at all, just by fretting them you’ll naturally get some of the sound). You can leave them out completely but it’s worth experimenting with.
Hi! Thank you for short and really good explained video!
Perfect intro. Easy,concise and didn’t scare me away.
Thanks so much, was like double Dutch -you’ve explained tabs clearly enough- even for me☺
Thanks, this explanation is a big help!
Why oh why do they have a crazy upside down system like that, trying to read tab is completely doing my mind in!! Just when I thought I was getting somewhere with ukulele, now it’s getting all too hard! Wah! Wah! Wah…
This was so helpful thank you. Serious lightbulb moments. Clearly explained in a way I can understand. I really appreciate the help.
So helpful, thank you!
You’re welcome
Excellent progression on learning what the tab means and how to use it. Your explanation was clear, well-paced, concise, and encouraging. Thank you
Thank you. This was friendly, easy to follow and very helpful.
Thank you, this is just what I thought but as I’m a beginner it was so helpful to see it written out plainly.
This was so amazing!! First explanation that made sense to me.
I don’t get the 0. What does it mean to play without the fret? The fret explains where to pluck the string? How do you play without a location?
The fret doesn’t explain where to pluck the string, you pluck the strings the same regardless.