# Reading primer

> Interactive page: [`reading.html`](reading.html)

This room already speaks **TAB** and chord letters. v2 adds enough **standard notation** to match a method-book line to the neck — not a graded reading course. Durations live on [Note values](note-values.md); first-position seats also sit on [Classical · C ladder](drills-classical.md).

Start from [Foundations · TAB](foundations.md) · [Note values](note-values.md) · [Classical drills](drills-classical.md).

On the HTML page, Play becomes Stop on the same button. Tempo follows the metronome. Guitar music is written in treble clef **an octave higher than it sounds**.

**Sources (two-check):** Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1 (TAB orientation, first-position C ladder, chord symbols above a staff) · Berklee / classical first-position reading. No copyrighted melodies.

## TAB review

TAB is six lines — one per string. The **top** line is high **e**, the same way the neck is drawn on this site. A number is a **fret**, not a finger. `0` is open. Full orientation: [Foundations · How to read TAB](foundations.md).

```
e|--0--   high e (1st string)
B|--0--
G|--0--
D|--0--
A|--0--
E|--0--   low E (6th string)
```

TAB shows *where*. The staff shows *pitch and duration*. You want both when a method book prints notes; you only need TAB + letters for this room’s songs.

## Staff primer

Five lines, four spaces. The **treble clef** (G-clef) curls around the second line up — that line is **G** (the G above middle C, as *written*). Guitar writes that G for the open G string, but it *sounds* an octave lower.

- **Lines** (bottom to top, written): E G B D F — “Every Good Boy Does Fine.”
- **Spaces**: F A C E.
- **Ledger lines** extend the staff (middle C sits on one ledger below).
- **Note values** (whole, half, quarter, eighth, rest) are the same family as [Note values](note-values.md) — go there to hear how long each last.
- **Stems:** notes below the middle line (B) usually stem *up* from the right; on or above the middle line, stem *down* from the left. Beams group eighths by beat.

## First-position notes

Index on fret 1, middle on 2, ring on 3, pinky on 4 — no shift. The HTML page walks the neck and lights the matching written note on the staff.

| Written | Sounds | String / fret |
|---------|--------|----------------|
| E (below staff) | E2 | low E open |
| A | A2 | A open |
| C (ledger) | C3 | A fret 3 |
| G (staff G line) | G3 | G open |
| B (middle line) | B3 | B open |
| E (top space) | E4 | high e open |

```
C ladder (method-book first line)
e|-------------------------0-
B|-----------------0--1--3---
G|-----------0--2------------
D|-----0--2------------------
A|-3-------------------------   C D E F G A B C D E
```

## Rhythm reading cards

Clap, or play **open G** (one pitch, so the job is duration). Count out loud. Values match [Note values](note-values.md).

- Four quarters — count 1 2 3 4
- Two halves — count 1 (2)  3 (4)
- Whole note — one sound for the bar
- Eighths — 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
- Quarter rest, then three quarters — (rest) 2 3 4
- Quarter + two eighths + two quarters

A rest is silence of that length — keep counting. Beams on eighths show the beat.

## Chord symbols above the staff

Lead sheets put **chord letters above** the melody staff. This room usually prints the letters and TAB without a melody (no copyrighted tunes). The idea is the same: play the harmony from the letters while someone else has the notes — or while you strum and sing.

```
     G                 C                 D                 G
     (quarters: down-strums)
```

The staff would hold a melody we do not print. You own the letters. Same G–C–D map as [Play along](songs.md).

## Three tracks

- **Beginner** — TAB open strings. Name G on the staff. C ladder slow. Four-quarter card. Near 60.
- **Intermediate** — First-position naturals with the staff. Eighth and rest cards. G–C–D letters while counting.
- **Advanced** — Name the written note before it sounds. Mix cards. Then [Classical · reading seats](drills-classical.md).

Next: [Foundations · TAB](foundations.md) · [Note values](note-values.md) · [Classical drills](drills-classical.md).