module 6
Ukulele Tab

In this module you will explore how to play ukulele tab, or tablature. This method is kind of like a play by numbers system which is much easier than learning the formal notation system, but also combines the formal notation system as a guide for rhythm. 
Tab is great for picking out melody lines or learning solo parts for songs. Once you get the hang of it, the next stage is to combine chords and melody lines to make you sound like a pro, but let's start with the basics. ​

HOW TO READ UKULELE TAB

Ukulele tab, also known as tablature or tab, is a musical notation system designed for stringed instruments like the ukulele. It visually represents the ukulele's fretboard, indicating which strings to play and where to place your fingers for specific notes or chords.
The ability to read tab is popular among ukulele players, particularly beginners, as it provides an accessible way to learn songs and melodies without requiring extensive knowledge of traditional sheet music. So let's break it down:​

What do the lines represent?

In ukulele tab, the four horizontal strings on the page represent each of the strings on your ukulele.  The top string is the A string and the bottom string G string, which may seem a little confusing at first because when you hold your ukulele in playing position, the G string appears to be the top string. If you hold your ukulele flat to the page facing upwards, you will get a direct birds eye view of the tab instruction and it doesn't take too long to get used to this system at all. 

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN? 

The numbers that appear on the string lines specify which fret to press down. "0" represents an open string played without pressing any frets. So say number 2 appears on the c string, you would hold down the 2nd fret to play that note. You read from left to write, the same as reading text.

FRETTING FINGERS

As a general rule of thumb, each finger should be allocated a fret number. So your index finger would play all notes on any of the strings in fret 1, your middle finger any string in fret 2, your ring (3rd) finger any note in fret three and so on. This will change as you begin to play melodies all over the fretboard but for now you will just try a few melody lines using the first 3 frets. ​

PLUCKING FINGERS

So now you know what fingers to fret with, let's have a look at what fingers to pluck with using your other hand. These beginner exercises will just utilise the C, E and A strings so you will just use your THUMB to pluck any notes on the C string and pluck in a downwards motion, your INDEX to pluck any notes on the E string and your MIDDLE finger to pluck any notes on the A string, both plucked in an upward motion, as illustrated:
EXERCISE: Watch the video below to have a go at playing the C major scale. The illustrated shows what fingers to fret with, along with the notes you are playing. 

CAN YOU PLAY CHORDS WITH TAB?

Yes indeed!! Chords are illustrated by numbers piled on top of one another. ​To play a note or chord, you read the numbers on the tab and position your fingers accordingly, then strum all strings together, usually in a downwards motion, unless illustrated otherwise.

EXERCISE: See if you can figure out what the two tabbed chords represent above which you should be familiar with.

WHAT ABOUT THE RHTHYM AND TIMING OF TAB NOTES & CHORDS?

​Ukulele tab focuses on finger placement and doesn't explicitly indicate timing or rhythm so in addition to the tab lines, you will often find helpful notation above the tab sections that indicate the length of time you should play each note. Similarly, there are “REST” symbols representing durations of quiet space when no notes are played. Here is a brief guide to some of the note durations you will explore in this module:
NB: Watch out for dotted notation. When a dot is placed next to a note, it extends the notes duration by half of its original value. This means that a dotted note lasts for the value of the note itself, plus an additional half of that value.
Here is what the notation for the C Major scale you played above would look like:
As you can see, they are all quarter notes and fall on the beat of each bar. But how do you know how many notes to play per bar? This is usually determined by the time signature written at the start of the notation.  Here are examples of some of the more popular time signatures:

the Speed of Songs (TEMPO)

Song speeds are written in BPM = (Beats per minute) and this is known as the TEMPO of the song. Most popular songs tend to have tempos that range between 60BPM (slow) – 180BPM (very fast)

Here are some song examples to help you understand tempos:

The formal name for the slower end tempos is "ANDANTE" and is used on songs such as:
The formal name for the more common tempos is "ALLEGRO" and is used on songs such as:
The formal name for the moderately faster tempos is "VIVACISSAMO" and is used on songs such as:
The formal name for the songs at the faster end of the spectrum are "PRESTO" and is used on songs such as:
EXERCISE: Let's see if you can guess which early years song, or songs, this melody line belongs too. 
Now download the tab below to see if you were correct and to play the entire 12 bar song. 
Time to put your new tab reading skills into action in the next module with an Amazing arrangement: 
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