Learn about tablature, notation, fingering, and muscle memory via the Gibson App
In this beginner video from the Gibson App, you’ll get a quick, high-level view of guitar finger positions and the common idea of how to place your fingers to execute scales on the neck of the guitar. We’ll also discuss tablature and muscle memory because they are related concepts: learning how to read and write a passage on the guitar on paper (or a digital screen) is part of getting it ingrained in your brain and body because the more senses you can engage, the better your memory retention.
Guitar fingering involves using specific fingers to press down on the strings at the correct frets to produce the desired notes or chords. In traditional music notation and guitar tablature, fingering instructions help players plan and place either hand’s fingers efficiently and comfortably as it’s been worked out by someone else with experience with that particular passage of music. In other words, tablature and notation may help you with transitions of all kinds because you’re thinking ahead visually about how each finger will need to move as the music flows forward, aiming for less awkward movements in your hands.
Video: Finger Positions and Muscle Memory from the Gibson App
There will be times when it is fruitful to think along the lines of, “When I go from this three-note chord that I’m currently on to the next one, two fingers stay in place, and only one moves.” So, you don’t waste effort lifting the two and then placing them back on the same notes for no good reason. Knowing this can help you visualize what to do and smooth the transition between chords. However, there could be a musical reason to lift them if you’re attempting to choke out the notes or grab at nearby harmonics as you strum—the guitar is incredibly idiomatic in that way.
The fingers of the fretting hand are labeled one through four: index finger as one, middle finger as two, ring finger as three, and pinky finger as four. Proper fingering is essential for smooth transitions between notes and chords, enhancing a guitarist’s technique and overall playing experience. You can use this knowledge to help your hand “prepare” for the next note or chord if you analyze which manner of doing it moves fewer digits/fingers.
We could easily get into the weeds when discussing intelligent fingering concepts, tablature/notation, and related topics. However, for a beginner, it’s probably useful to note that various guitar styles have some specialized terminology that you may encounter in different kinds of instructional literature. Here’s a short section that lays that out for you.
What are the commonly accepted ways to notate and reference fingering on a guitar?
In classical, flamenco, and general fingerstyle guitar terminology, the fingers of the picking hand are referred to by the following names and abbreviations:
- P (Pulgar) – Thumb
- I (Índice) – Index finger
- M (Medio) – Middle finger
- A (Anular) – Ring finger
Sometimes, the pinky finger (or little finger for UK readers) is also used and is referred to as:
- C (Chico) or E (Extremo) – Pinky finger
For rock, pop, and just about anything else, the fretting hand fingers are typically numbered one through four:
- 1 – Index finger
- 2 – Middle finger
- 3 – Ring finger
- 4 – Pinky finger
- T – Thumb
In my own experience, watching a classical violinist engage with a score turned me on to the notion that part of the professional duty of classical players, especially fretless string players, is to mark up the score during private rehearsal sessions to nail down bowing strokes and stroke direction for optimal tone and expressiveness. There’s nearly always more than one way to do something on an instrument, and one needs to consider the options before it’s go-time. These highly trained experts figure out the best way to achieve the passage of music, notate it, and then repeat it until it’s second nature.
Although the world of the serious string player is very different to that of the average guitarist, if you are performing a piece of music, it helps to figure out ahead of time how to make transitions between melodic lines and chords smooth, logical, and with an economy of motion. Practicing this as a discipline will lead you toward more fluid playing and, thus, better musicality. As your playing gets more advanced, you’ll often face the same challenge as string players: thinking through potential fingering patterns to commit them to memory and, ultimately, muscle memory, which we’ll discuss below.
What is guitar tablature?
Guitar tablature, often called “tab,” is a simple way of writing music for guitar. It uses a diagram of the guitar’s strings and uses fret numbers to show where to place your fingers. The tab has six lines, each representing one of the guitar’s strings. The bottom line is the lowest-sounding string (the thickest one, usually tuned to E), and the top line is the highest-sounding string (the thinnest one). Numbers on these lines indicate which fret to press down. For example, a “5” on the bottom line means you press the fifth fret on the low E string. Tablature helps beginners quickly learn songs without needing to read traditional music notation, but you have to figure out the rhythm of the music on your own as it rarely includes the notation for that, though it occasionally does.
This is an example of tablature depicting the A minor scale (Aeolian Mode):
e |------------|
B |------------|
G |------------|
D |--5-7-------|
A |--5-7-8-----|
E |--5-7-8-----|What is muscle memory?
The relationship between nerves and muscle memory is key to mastering physical tasks like playing the guitar. Muscle memory develops through the creation of neural pathways in the brain and spinal cord that help coordinate and control muscle movements. When you repeatedly practice actions, such as playing chords or scales, the nerves continuously send signals to the muscles to execute these actions. With regular practice, these neural pathways become more robust and efficient, enabling the actions to be performed automatically and with minimal conscious effort. This process of neural adaptation forms muscle memory, making complex tasks feel more natural and less mentally demanding.
What is the Gibson App?
Developed by expert teachers, the Gibson App contains an iOS and Android curriculum optimized for beginners and beyond. Its step-by-step approach and gameplay with real-time feedback are designed to engage and motivate you as you fall in love with guitar playing.
In the Gibson App, you can learn component parts of the song separately, such as the intro, verse, chorus, and solo. Each part has step-by-step video instructions, followed by an interactive lesson. As you learn to combine all the parts to play the full song, you’ll have a great learning experience.
There’s plenty to do in the Gibson App for intermediate and advanced players, too. The app allows you to choose which level of a song you want to tackle so that you can match it with your skill level or reach for a challenge.
Plus, the Gibson App is equipped with essential tools such as a tuner, metronome, and a digital amplifier for acoustic and electric guitars, making it a one-stop solution for your practice and home performance needs. It even features a range of effects, allowing you to experiment with your tone right in the app.
Explore the world of the Gibson App today and start your free trial on iOS and Android devices.
