Blank Guitar Tab Paper
Print blank tablature for guitar or bass. Choose 4, 5, 6 or 7 strings, add a standard notation staff above each TAB staff if you read notes too, set how many staves fit on a page, and add a song title, string names and blank chord diagrams before you download the PDF.
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Preview of page 1. Print at 100% / "Actual size" for exact string spacing.
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How to use the Blank Guitar Tab Paper
- Choose the strings: 4 or 5 for bass, 6 for guitar, or 7-string.
- Decide on notation: TAB only, or a standard staff above each TAB staff.
- Set the layout: staves per page (or Auto), string spacing and measures per line.
- Add details: song title, artist, string names, chord-name space and blank chord diagrams.
- Download the PDF, or print directly, at 100% scale.
Tab line order and common tunings
Tablature is drawn as if you are looking down at the neck while playing: the top line is the highest-pitched string and the bottom line is the lowest. String names in this tool are entered from low to high (the way tunings are usually written) and printed bottom to top.
| Instrument | Lines | Standard tuning (low to high) | Popular alternates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass guitar | 4 | E A D G | Drop D (D A D G), half step down (Eb Ab Db Gb) |
| 5-string bass | 5 | B E A D G | High C (E A D G C) |
| Guitar | 6 | E A D G B E | Drop D (D A D G B E), Open G (D G D G B D), DADGAD |
| 7-string guitar | 7 | B E A D G B E | Drop A (A E A D G B E) |
Tab symbols you can write on the page
| Write | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0, 1, 2 … 24 | Fret number to play on that string (0 = open string) |
| x | Muted or dead note |
| h / p | Hammer-on / pull-off, e.g. 5h7, 7p5 |
| / and \ | Slide up / slide down, e.g. 5/7 |
| b and r | Bend and release, e.g. 7b9r7 |
| ~ | Vibrato |
| ( ) | Ghost note or a tied note held from before |
| PM ---- | Palm mute over the notes under the dashes |
Tips for writing tabs by hand
- Line up chords vertically. Notes played at the same time must sit in one column; spacing the numbers evenly also hints at the rhythm.
- Use bar lines. Four measures per line is a good default for songs in 4/4 time, and makes it easy to count repeats.
- Add the staff for rhythm. Plain tab does not show note lengths, so if timing matters, write the rhythm in the standard staff above or put rhythm stems under the tab.
- Pick a bigger spacing for beginners. The 4.5 mm spacing leaves room for two-digit fret numbers and techniques like 12h14.
Frequently asked questions
How do you read guitar tab?
Each horizontal line is a string. On standard guitar tab the top line is the thinnest, highest-pitched string (high E) and the bottom line is the thickest (low E). A number on a line tells you which fret to press on that string, 0 means play the open string, and numbers stacked vertically are played together as a chord.
Why does the tab need 4, 5, 6 or 7 lines?
Tablature has one line per string. A standard bass has 4 strings (E A D G), a 5-string bass usually adds a low B, a guitar has 6 (E A D G B E) and a 7-string guitar usually adds a low B below the low E.
What is the standard staff above the tab for?
The 5-line staff shows pitch and rhythm in standard music notation, while the tab below shows where to play each note on the neck. Writing both lets you record rhythms exactly and share parts with musicians who read notes. Guitar music is written on the treble clef and sounds one octave lower than written.
How many staves fit on a page?
It depends on the number of strings, the string spacing and whether a notation staff is included. On US Letter portrait with 3 mm spacing, Auto fits about 10 six-string TAB staves, or 6 systems of TAB with a standard staff. The preview shows the exact count.
Can I print alternate tunings?
Yes. Type the string names from lowest to highest, for example D A D G B e for Drop D, and they are printed at the start of every staff and on the tuning line. Presets are included for common tunings on each instrument.
What are the blank chord diagrams for?
Chord boxes are small grids that show the strings as vertical lines and the frets as horizontal lines, with a thick nut at the top. Draw dots where fingers go, an O above open strings and an X above muted strings, and write the chord name on the line above.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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