Notes, Rests and Symbols of Rhythmic Tablature | Guitar Encyclopedia

How to Count Rhythmic Tablature

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Symbols of Rhythmic Notation

Interval 0-11 Half Step

Symbols of Rhythmic Tablature

Guitar tablature uses the following symbols to represent note values and count rhythms:

Whole note (UK: semibreve)	ellipse around fret number without stem	4 beats long
Half note (minim)	ellipse around fret number with stem	2 beats long
Quarter note (crotchet)	fret number with stem	1 beat long
Eighth note (quaver)	fret number with flag or beam	½ beat long
Sixteenth note (semiquaver)	fret number with two flags or beams	¼ beat long
Whole rest (semibreve)	rectangle hanging from the 3rd string	4 beats long
Half rest (minim)	rectangle sitting on the 4th string	2 beats long
Quarter rest (crotchet)	curved symbol	1 beat long
Eighth (quaver)	single flag	½ beat long
Sixteenth rest (semiquaver)	double flag	¼ beat long
Triplet	bracket or slur with the number 3	3 notes in the space of 2
Time signature	upper numerator indicates beats per bar, lower denominator defines beat unit
Dotted note/rest	dot after a note/rest extends it by its half duration (+ 50 %)
Tie	connects held note with next note to form a single extended note
Fermata	small half circle with dot above a note prolongs it at the musician's discretion