Shown above is the music notation used throughout the FOTW Lessons Section. Notice that the top staff consists of standard notation and the bottom staff is our tablature number system. Don't concern yourself with the standard notation yet. We're first going to focus on learning to read tablature. Upon learning tablature, you can cross reference any place you may be on the staff and learn more about standard notation.

"A" string; the next below the "A" would be the "D" string; the next below the "D" would be the "G" string; and, the next below the "G" string would be the "C" string. So visually, you're looking at the tenor banjo strings, as represented by these lines, upside down.

For Rhythm: Notice the 4 over 4 at the start of the standard notation. This establishes that every measure consists of 4 beats with a quarter note, represented by a single stem, as a single beat. If you tap your foot, and count to four, each quarter note would represent one beat. The four beats are divided up by what is called a measures. Measures are divided up by the vertical lines you see in both the standard notation and the tablature. In some cases, we'll add numbers below the tablature. The numbers below all of the lines: 1 2 3 4 represent the timing of the piece. If you were to tap your foot in a rhythmic manner as you count to four methodically, you have the beat of the piece. In this case, it would be 4/4 timing. In the case of waltz timing you would have a count of 1 2 3 for each measure — written out as 3/4. You'll notice also the line that separates the two measures that run vertically through the tablature. This line divides each measure so that you can always tell how many beats are in a measure. The following example is a waltz (3/4) piece:

Adding Notes to the Tablature
We will now incorporate notes or finger positions to the tablature which will be represented by numbers on each line. Following is a simple tenor banjo exercise that incorporates the numbering we are discussing. Each number will represent what note to be played. For instance, a number "1" means to place your finger behind the first fret. A number "4" would mean to place your finger behind the 4th fret of the string being represented by the line it's placed on...for example, if the "4" is on the top line, you will play the "A" string at the 4th fret. If the "4" is on the third line from the top, you will place your finger behind the 4th fret on the "G" string. A "0" would mean the string would be played open without fretting.

Here's a "G" major scale played forwards and backwards:

A great starting place would be to place your hand at the first position, near the nut and determine which finger falls naturally over the designated fret. As illustrated in the above "G" scale exercise, the first "5" note would be played with the third or fourth finger...the second "2" note would be played with the first finger...the "3" would be played with the second finger...and the following "5" would be played with the third or fourth finger.

First finger: index

Second finger: middle

Third finger: ring finger

Fourth finger: little finger

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