How to Use Guitar Tabs to Write Original Songs

Writing original songs can be a deeply rewarding experience for any guitarist, but it can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure where to begin. Luckily, guitar tabs offer an easy and straightforward way to capture your musical ideas and start composing your own music. In this guide, we’ll show you how to use guitar tabs to write original songs, step by step, helping you turn your riffs and chord progressions into fully realized compositions.

1. Start with a Simple Riff or Chord Progression

Every song starts with an idea, and in most cases, it’s a simple riff or chord progression. Begin by playing around on your guitar until you find a sequence of notes or chords that resonates with you. This will form the foundation of your song.

Tips for Starting Your Song:

• Experiment with Chords: Try different combinations of chords to find a progression you like. Common progressions like G, C, D, or A, D, E are great starting points for beginners.
• Create a Simple Riff: If you prefer a riff-based approach, start with a few notes on one or two strings and repeat the pattern. A catchy riff can become the central theme of your song.

Once you have a riff or progression that you like, it’s time to start tabbing it out.

2. Write the Riff or Chord Progression in Tab Form

Now that you’ve got your basic idea, the next step is to capture it in a guitar tab. This is where you’ll start to turn your musical idea into something structured and repeatable. Here's how:

Steps for Writing a Tab:

• Identify the Notes: Play your riff or chord progression and note down each fret and string you’re using.
• Tab Out the Progression: Using a tab layout, write the numbers for each fret on the appropriate string. For example, a basic G chord might look like this:

        e|---3---|  
        B|---0---|  
        G|---0---|  
        D|---0---|  
        A|---2---|  
        E|---3---|  
        

Once you’ve tabbed out your main riff or progression, you can start to build the rest of your song around it.

3. Develop Additional Sections (Verse, Chorus, Bridge)

Most songs are made up of multiple sections, like verses, choruses, and bridges. To take your song to the next level, create new sections that complement your original riff or progression. You can modify the rhythm, change the chords, or even introduce a new melody.

Ideas for Building Song Sections:

• Verse: Use a softer or simpler version of your original progression to create a verse that contrasts with the chorus.
• Chorus: Make the chorus more energetic or dynamic by using power chords, adding open strings, or playing the progression at a higher pitch.
• Bridge: Introduce a new chord progression or riff that provides a change of pace before returning to the verse or chorus.

Write each of these sections in tab form, just like you did with the original riff or chord progression. By the end, you should have multiple sections tabbed out for your song.

4. Experiment with Timing and Rhythm

One of the key components of songwriting is rhythm. Use guitar tabs to not only write down the notes but also represent timing and rhythm. Here’s how you can add rhythm to your tabs:

Adding Rhythm to Your Tab:

• Use Spaces or Dashes: Add spaces or dashes to indicate timing between notes. For example, a long pause between notes can be shown with more dashes, like this:

        e|---3-------0-------0-------|  
        B|---0-------1-------0-------|  
        G|---0-------0-------0-------|  
        D|---0-------2-------2-------|  
        A|---2-------3-------2-------|  
        E|---3---------------0-------|  
        

• Use Symbols for Techniques: Indicate techniques like bends, slides, and hammer-ons using symbols like “/” for slides or “h” for hammer-ons.

Experiment with different rhythms and techniques to make your song more dynamic and engaging.

5. Add Lyrics (Optional)

If you’re writing a song with vocals, you can include lyrics with your tab. Simply write the lyrics above or below the tabbed section where they belong. This will help you keep track of where each line fits within the song.

Example of Adding Lyrics:

"I was walking down the road"
        e|---3---0---0---|  
        B|---0---1---0---|  
        G|---0---0---0---|  
        D|---0---2---2---|   
        A|---2---3---2---|   
        E|---3-------0---|  
"With a song stuck in my head"
        

Adding lyrics can help you structure the song more effectively, ensuring that the vocals and guitar parts fit together seamlessly. Apps like Chordly can help you with this.

6. Practice and Revise

Once your tab is complete, practice playing your song from start to finish. You may find areas where the transitions between sections feel rough or the rhythm doesn’t quite fit. This is your chance to revise the tab, making adjustments as needed.

What to Look for During Practice:

• Smooth Transitions: Ensure that the transitions between verses, choruses, and bridges feel natural and smooth.
• Rhythm Consistency: Check that the rhythm flows consistently throughout the song.
• Technical Refinements: Make sure your tab includes all the necessary details for hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and other techniques.

With practice, you’ll refine your song until it feels polished and complete.

FAQ: Common Questions About Writing Original Songs with Tabs

1. Do I need to know music theory to write a song using tabs?

No, you don’t need to know music theory to write a song using guitar tabs. Tabs are a straightforward way to capture the notes and chords you’re playing without needing to understand traditional music notation.

2. Can I write a song with just one riff?

Yes, many songs are built around a single riff that is repeated throughout the song. However, adding variations and additional sections like a chorus or bridge can make the song more dynamic and interesting.

3. How do I come up with chord progressions for my song?

Start with basic progressions that are commonly used in music, such as G, C, D, or A, E, D. You can experiment with different combinations until you find one that fits the mood of your song.

4. Can I add other instruments to my tabs?

If you’re using software like Guitar Pro, you can write tabs for multiple instruments, such as bass, drums, and additional guitar parts. This can help you arrange your song more fully.

5. Should I focus on writing the lyrics or the music first?

It depends on your creative process. Some songwriters prefer to start with the music and fit lyrics to it later, while others begin with lyrics and build the music around them. There’s no right or wrong way—experiment with both approaches to see what works best for you.

6. How can I get started making tabs easily?

There are many ways to make tabs for guitar. For beginners, or someone who needs simple functionality and the ability to throw down tablature quickly, websites like Chordly make it super easy. For seasoned musicians who need more customizability and advanced notation capabilities, software like Guitar Pro may be a better option.

Write Your Own Original Songs with Guitar Tabs

Using guitar tabs to write original songs is a simple yet powerful way to capture your musical ideas and bring them to life. By starting with a riff or chord progression, expanding your song with additional sections, and experimenting with rhythm and timing, you can create a song that’s uniquely yours. Practice and revision will help you refine your song, turning your creative ideas into a polished composition.