l-------------------------------------0-----l This is the tabs for playing
l-------------------------------0-----------l E major chord 1 by 1.
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l-------------------2-----------------------l
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The above tablature contains the exact same notes as the first E major chord presented on this page, but it will be played differently. In this situation, the notes in the chord will be played one at a time, rather than all together. "How fast should I play these notes?" you may ask. Good question... one which leads smoothly into:
Fundamental Flaws of Guitar TabRhythmic notation is the biggest one. And it's a doozy of a flaw. Most guitar tab doesn't notate rhythm in any way, so if you haven't heard how the guitar part to the song you're playing goes, you have no way of knowing how long to hold each note. Some guitar tab does attempt to include rhythms, by putting stems on each number (to indicate quarter notes, eighth notes, etc), but most guitarists find this cumbersome to read. And besides, if you're going to include traditional rhythmic notation in guitar tab, why not just go the extra step and write the whole thing in standard notation?