I've been playing guitar for about 2 years now, and I have only played by tabs. Recently I joined a class at school where I play guitar for part of our band program. The problem though, is I can't read sheet music for guitar. I've read articles and browsed through "Tutorials" on the internet but I just can't grasp the concept. Any help?
Not knowing much about the guitar, I can't tell you about the sheet music directly. But knowing the basics of sheet music, I would say you need to learn the notes that each string plays, and what notes it makes with each fret pressed.
Then find out how the sheet music is laid out. Like where each octave begins and ends, and what note each step plays.
It's like learning any other form of sheet music. I would ask your band director for more help, in the 50/50 chance my information is incorrect.
you should download powertabs. I think that's what it's called. It'll show the notes and the tabs simultaneously. also to help you with reading, the spaces in the treble clef (which is the clef used for guitar) are F A C E, and the lines are E G B D F. I remember the line notes with the pneumatic device, Every Good Boy Does Fine. I would also suggest learning the circle of fifths, so you always know what key you're playing in. My best advice though, would be to take guitar lessons and have an actual person teach you, because it's very hard to teach music over text.
Those are GuitarPro. They require a program that costs money, but can be acquired otherwise. Also, remember that (nearly) every note on a regular clef will have different frets and strings where one can play it, whereas tabs specify a certain fret on a certain string. All in all, sheet music is more suited to an instrument such as a piano, but I guess that doesn't really help you at all. You're welcome.
well first off, does your band instructor know how to play guitar and read sheet music for guitar? if so, he/she probably has some sheet music exercises. i find the best way is to learn your scales. i know it sounds boring and it kind of is, but it is one of the best ways to learn. learn different scales and then learn those scales in different fret positions (it sounds tough, but when you play the scale in a different position, it just means moving up one fret, or a half-step, and playing the exact some fingerings)this sounds a bit extreme, and should not be tried all at once, it takes time to be able to learn all of it correctly (plus i have no idea of how skilled you are) say the notes out loud when you play, so you can learn where the notes themselves are on the guitar. as for learning where they are on the sheet music, the pneumatic devices definitely help, and say the notes you play out loud AS you read the notes on the page. just keep on practicing and eventually all of it will even out.
well first off, does your band instructor know how to play guitar and read sheet music for guitar?
Nope, not at all.
And guys I appreciate you posting but just to let you know I have played trumpet for 3 years so I can read the staff. It's just the layout of it while playing guitar that is confusing.
So you mean that the class is actually band, instead of guitar? Because I have guitar classes at my school. Would you be able to ask someone else who plays the guitar in that class, though? It might be a little embarrassing, but there are worse ways.
So then you are kind of musicly challenged like I am. So I don't have a lot of help except ask other guitar players that you know nd they might help you with that.
And guys I appreciate you posting but just to let you know I have played trumpet for 3 years so I can read the staff. It's just the layout of it while playing guitar that is confusing.
What's so confusing about it? you just play the notes that it shows on the staff. as long as you know all your scales and chords, it shouldn't be too hard. A lot of the time there are numbers above the notes which show which show which fingers to use for the notes. this helps you know where to play the notes, as long as you know all your scales. other than that, I don't really know what to tell you. I'm sure you can find sight reading practice on the guitar on the internet. There are also some good books for learning to read. I learned from A Modern Method For Guitar Volume 1 by William G. Leavitt. I don't know if it's still being printed because mine was printed in 1966, but it was a really helpful book for learning to read music.
