One of the most exciting parts of learning how to play guitar is being able to play your favorite songs. Most beginners, when they start out, dream of being able to shred their favorite songs by their favorite bands. While the ultimate goal should be to learn how to read music, the best way for beginners to learn songs quickly is to learn how to read guitar tabs.
Guitar tablature is very similar to sheet music, only you don't necessarily have to know the notes and values of traditional sheet music to read tablature. One of the biggest differences there is between sheet music and tabs is that sheet music has only five lines, while guitar tabs have six lines, each representing a string on the guitar.

Reading Guitar Tabs: Step 1 - Learning the Strings

One of the first things you'll need to know in order to learn how to read guitar tabs is how the strings (the six lines) are arranged in the tablature. The high E (thinnest string) will be the very top line, followed by the B string, the G string, the D string, the A string, and finally the very bottom string will be the low E.

Step 2- Learning the Frets

The next step in learning how to read guitar tabs is to learn what all the numbers mean that are on the various lines (strings) of the tablature.

The numbers located on the lines represent frets on your guitar. Frets are the spaces between the little metal bars on the fingerboard of your guitar. If there is a number 5 on the line that represents the low E string, this means you press the low E string down on the fifth fret and play that note. If there is a 0 on the line, this means you play that particular string open.

Step 3 - Learning the Symbols

It's also extremely important when learning how to read guitar tabs that you know what the symbols on the lines represent. If there is an "x" on the line, that means that string isn't played at all.

Sometimes when a particular guitar chord is tabbed out, there will be a few strings with the "x" on it in between some of the notes of the chord. This means that those strings are not to be played as part of the chord. If you see a "b", this means the note bends; if you see an "r", it means to release the bend. If you see an "h", this stands for hammer-on, and if you see a "p", this stands for pull-off. "PM" stands for palm mute, and "t" stands for tap. If you see a "/", this is indicating a slide. (Consult your favorite "how to play guitar" guide for detailed explanations of how to play what those symbols are indicating. Check out my favorite list of resources right below this article!)

Learning how to read guitar tabs is one of the most crucial skills a beginner can learn. Once you've acquired this valuable skill, you'll be able to start learning some of your favorite songs, and your practice time will become a whole lot more fun. Learning how to read guitar tabs will put the wind in your sails as you endeavor to become a true guitar hero.

Have fun!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Halpeart

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I frequently receive questions about copyrights. Here is a summary of my advice on the subject.

1) Fear is usually the catalyst that drives new songwriters toward copyrighting inquiries but don't worry too much about your songs being stolen. Legitimate publishers make their living signing and promoting songs, not stealing them. Some publishers and fellow writers will occasionally borrow or "steal" ideas if they are extremely unique and are underdeveloped but you can not legally copyright a song concept or even a title anyway, only complete songs, and a complete song copyright does not include protection for the concept or title. The only method available to ensure your best ideas aren't permanently borrowed is to develop them into the best possible songs they can be.

2) The newest copyright laws state that creations are copyrighted as soon as they are completed. Just affix the words "Copyright 2009 John Doe Songwriter" (uhhh...I'd highly advise you to substitute your own name for "John Doe Songwriter") to your tape or lyric sheet and it's a done deal. To protect that copyright; however, I'd recommend registering it with: Register of Copyrights, Library of Congress, Washington D.C. 20559 (there is no street number). Ask for "form PA". The cost is currently $45 per song or you can save tons of money by copyrighting several songs under one collective title (John Doe's First 12 Songs, or whatever).

3) If you write with a co-writer, copyright your song(s) and give the co-writer credit for their portion.

4) Faded memories are far more likely to be your nemesis than stolen songs. If you co-write, be sure to verify everything in writing as to who contributed what and how any royalties will be split. Make sure both parties sign the agreement and both parties receive a copy. Ten years down the road you may have co-written with hundreds of people. Even if you remember who did what, your co-writers may not be blessed with a photographic memory. Put it in writing.

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With the painstaking work of writing and polishing your song completed, how do you get it to the music industry professionals who can help make it a Billboard hit? Where do you find their contact information? How do you approach them? This article will answer those questions.
First, your song needs to be presented in a form known as a "demo" recording. A demo does not necessarily need to be engineered to the level of a master recording intended for public release but it must be close- it should be completely professional in terms of performance and sound quality. A slightly off key vocalist, low signal levels, music that isn't tight as a drum and other amateurish mistakes will likely earn your song a trip to the nearest trash can. You're making a huge time investment in both writing and marketing your song, be sure your product is quality. Unsure if you're on the mark? My company will send you free mp3 samples of our recent work, request a few and compare (contact information is in the blurb at the end of this article).

The most popular submission formats are CD and mp3 so have each song you intend to market available in those formats. You'll be presenting them to song publishers, music producers, artists, managers, and others who receive a steady stream of demos, probably every day. Your song must stand on it's own, hyping it in person or in your cover letter ("This is going to be a huge hit!") will only mark you as an amateur. If you submit by mail, include a cover letter with just a sentence or two explaining why you are sending the song to them (as a possible addition to their song catalog or for a specific upcoming project). Type everything including the address and return address. Enclose your CD. a 6" x 9" envelope will be sufficient.

Presenting in person? Be on time, offer no hype, and don't talk as the song plays. Certainly, don't try to do their job for them ("This is blues but add some fiddle and steel guitar and it could be great for Kenny Chesney...") let them listen, and above all, make no excuses. At that point, it is what it is.

Not all industry people are eager to listen to new songs. But you can find an abundance of those that are through various song marketing tipsheets, books, and your own legwork. I recommend the book Songwriter's Market which is available at Amazon.com and Row Fax, available at rowfax.com. They are probably the only two sources you'll need. Your initial contact should be a phone call or a letter with a self addressed and stamped envelope (a.k.a. SASE) enclosed.

Another method of getting songs to an artist is through their band members or the artist during meet & greets after a concert. I've heard of a few successes doing this but in my opinion, it's a long shot. Having been a musician in that situation the last thing I wanted to do at the end of long day of travel, soundcheck and show was to review a CD or keep track of one, so it may get lost before they get around to it. And musicians are very uncomfortable taking a song to the other band members or to the artist they play for as a bad pitch could damage their credibility, it has to be stellar work to even be considered. But it happens and if you're positive you have a song for a specific band or artist, it's the most direct route.

I hope this article has given you some insight into the arcane world of song marketing and will inspire you to go out there and pitch your songs until you get that contract or hit you deserve!

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