How to read (guitar) tabs!!!!?

Question

Ok so i see tabs that look like this

E -------------------------------------

B -------------------------------------

G ---9-9-9-------------5--7-7----------

D ---9-9-9---5-5--7-7--5--7-7----------

A ---7-7-7---5-5--7-7--3--5-5----------

E -----------3-3--5-5------------------

but the kind i know how to read is like this

--------------0-----------

--------------0---------------

---------------0----------

---------------2--------

-----------------3-------

-------------------1----

OR

------------------------------1---

----------------------------2----

-------------------------3------

----------------------4---------

-------------------0------------

---------------0----------------

How do you read the top one with all of the numbers ?

Answer 1

The letters on the side are the strings as you would see them looking down on your guitar. The numbers correspond to which fret you push down on on each string. For example, for the first part (7 - 9 - 9), this one in particular is a powerchord, you need one finger on the 7th fret (on the A string - 5th string from the bottom), and a finger on the 9th fret (on both strings D and G). When the numbers are lined up over each other like that, you play them all at once. For me, I would use my index finger on the 7th fret (string A), my middle finger on the 9th fret (string D), and my ring finger on the 9th fret (string G). Then strum those strings at the same time, holding down those spots.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

1=the first fret

2=2nd one...so on

0= 0 is when you do not press any fret, its a free string

tabs are really easy...you should learn chords better, power chords and scales are REALLY helpful

Answer 3

If you can read the second one you should be able to read the top one.

In tab when multiple numbers are in a vertical line(ONE ABOVE THE OTHER) you play them all at once. So you would strum the 7-9-9(E5 chord) all at once. so it would go 7-9-9, 7-9-9, 3-5-5,3-5-5, etc. the pathing is not quite right in the tabs you posted, because the chords are not lined up correctly.

When I said if you cn read the second one you can read the first it is because in  the second one several notes line up like chords.

in short whenever notes are in the same column(vertical row) you play all at once.