TABLITURE

[Will]

E------5-7---7|-8---8-2----2|
B-----5----5--|--5-----3----|
G--5--------5-|---5-----2---|
D-7------6----|-5-----4-----|
A-------------|-------------|
E-------------|-------------|

In reading the above tab(section from Stairway to Heaven), I know
that I should read from left to right and then upwards. ie. I play
the 4th string,7th fret, then the 3rd string, 5th fret, 2nd string, 5th
fret, 1st string, 5th fret. Do I then play the 1st string 7th fret and 4th
string, 6th fret together? If so, does this mean that I hold both strings down
at the same time? Do I pick 7,6 or 6,7? Do I then proceed to 3rd string
5th fret on up. When I get to the next frame, do I start with the 4th string
5th fret or 1st string, 8th fret?

I am also assuming I would play left to right
all the way across the top row and then move down to
the second row etc.

I would greatly appreciate any help regarding the correct sequence to play
notes within a Tab format.

[StoneDragon]

You've got the right idea. Any notes that are stacked are played simultaneously.

Most people play this particular song using fingerpicking (I use pick and and fingers), so the notes in question would be plucked at the same time rather than one after the other. In other songs, where you might be using a pick exclusively, you just have to play both (or more) notes with a quick strum of the pick across whatever strings you need.

What you are calling "frame" is called a measure or bar. In that second measure, you need to pluck both of those strings simultaneously. Trying to do this with just the pick would be pretty hard. You need to put the pick down and use your fingers or learn to play with the pick and pluck with your middle, ring and pinky fingers at the same time.


You're also correct in that you play the first row of TAB from left to right, all the way through, then move on to the second row etc...

[Will]

Thanks Stone!! I understand your reply. I have noticed that if I fingerpick, the sound seems muted and not as 'Alive' as when I use a pick. Is this normal? Also, is Stairway to Heaven considered a difficult song to learn to play on an acoustic guitar. I am not making it sound to good!

Also, I appreciate your response and this site.I know you have already heard this, but in being new to the guitar and
playing/reading music in general, I did a lot of exhaustive searches trying to find useful Info.I have yet to find another website that even comes close to this one.Being a true beginner, I have found your site to be informative and user friendly. Please keep up the good work. I am quite confident that all new and experienced posters appreciate it.

[StoneDragon]

It's common for fingerpickers to grow their nails a little longer to help brighten up the sound.

I would say that Stairway is a medium on the difficulty scale... but it seems to be one of the first things that everybody tries to play. Just keep working with it.

[FINGERPICKINGOOD]

I actually stayed away from learning stairway to heaven cause of Waynes World!

READ THE SIGN BUDDY!
_____________________
[................................]
[...ABSOLUTLEY NO.......]
[................................]
[.Stairway to Heaven.....]
[................................]
[................................]
[____________________]

[StoneDragon]

That was probably one of the funnier moments of that movie. Anyone who has worked in a guitar shop would love to be able to hang that sign.

I always wanted to hang a sign that said:

If you can't tune it, don't play it.

[FINGERPICKINGOOD]

Yeah no kidding. Although its probably a salesmans dream when they see a kid pick up a PRS or Les Paul and play it outta tune. Thats the moment they know they can be suckered into buying more stuff.

If i worked in a music store i would probably put up a sign that said:

Absolutley NO Metallica!!!!

I dont think ive ever been in a music store and not heard some kid slaughtering metallica riffs. Makes me dizzy.

[Don Cherry]

I want to add to what has been said here and hopefully contribute constructivley. Will, if you learned this already than excuse me, but if someone had clued me into this a year ago I would be very greatful. I played Stairway for months and months with absolutley no use of chords whatsoever. You know, the two fingers moving about all over the place in a manic attept to cover all the notes. Once I realized that, after the small barre part at the fifth at the beginning, it's really only three chords and some picking. My advice to Will, figure out these chords and it will make Stairway much more fun to play, not to mention expanding your skills. Apply this same approch to other songs as well, i.e., look for the chords. As well, Stairway is, in my opinion, a great song to learn some new techniques.

Keep yer stick on the ice

[Will]

Thanks Don, your advice is appreciated. To those of you who have made 'General Type' comments about Wayne's world etc., I didn't see the movie, not sure if you were trying to ad helpful advice or were making some inside type joke at my expense. Hopefully, it's the former.

[StoneDragon]

It was an attempt at humor, but it wasn't at your expense.

There's a scene in the movie where Wayne takes his girlfriend to look at his "holy grail" of guitars. After Wayne produces a wad of cash, the salesman takes the guitar out of its glass case and lets Wayne play it. He immediately launches into the intro to Stairway to Heaven, but the salesman stops him and points to a sign on the wall that says, "No Stairway to Heaven".

For anybody who has ever worked in a guitar store, that was a pretty funny gag, because no matter what, anybody checking out an acoustic guitar will try to play Stairway to Heaven.... and most mangle it pretty badly. It doesn't take very long before you get tired of hearing it.

Anyway, here are the chords:

Amin

---5---
---5---
---5---
---7---
-------
-------


Amin/Maj9

---7---
---5---
---5---
---6---
-------
-------


Amin7

---8---
---5---
---5---
---5---
-------
-------

D/F#

---2---
---3---
---2---
---4---
-------
-------

Fmaj7

---0---
---1---
---2---
---3---
-------
-------

G

---3---
---0---
---0---
---0---
---2---
---3---


Amin

---0---
---1---
---2---
---2---
---0---
-------


All you have to do is hold these shapes with your left hand and pick out the melody with your right hand. Same goes with the part that follows. Look for the chord shapes.

[Will]

Stone, Thank You for taking the time to Spell it out for me. Just a general FYI, I have been trying to learn to play the guitar according to your methodology posted on this website;ie.learning to play/practice and listen to the notes and there distinct sounds, hand position etc.I try to add a measure or two at a time from the Stairway tab just to break things up a little. Your last post helped. However, I am struggling with how long to hold the notes and timing in general. My rendition of the first several measures is off-beat to say the least. One can tell what I am attempting to play, but the similarity stops there.I really want to learn and plan to keep at it. Any and everyone, please feel free to advise or make suggestions.

[StoneDragon]

Get a copy of the recording. That's the best source for the timing issue.