When you’re searching for a “7 Nation Army Guitar Tab” online, you’ll quickly find a ton of options. But not all tabs are created equal. You might notice that some tabs feel easier and sound better than others, even if they’re for the same song. This often comes down to how the tab handles finger positioning on the fretboard. Let’s break down why this is important, using “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes as a perfect example.
One key difference you’ll see is in how tabs approach notes that can be played in multiple positions. Downloaded tabs, which are widely available online, sometimes prioritize staying on the same string. While this might seem straightforward at first glance, it can actually lead to your fretting hand having to move up and down the neck more than necessary. Ideally, a well-crafted tab, like those you might find from experienced instructors, focuses on keeping your fingers in a close, efficient position. This minimizes hand movement and makes playing smoother and faster.
Take a look at this example of a well-positioned tab for the iconic riff of “Seven Nation Army”. Notice how the D5 note is played on the A string at the 5th fret. This keeps the notes clustered together, making it easier to play the riff quickly and cleanly.
Optimized guitar tab excerpt showing efficient finger positioning for Seven Nation Army riff
Now, compare that to a downloaded tab you might find floating around the internet. In many of these tabs, you’ll see the same D5 note moved higher up the neck, often to the 10th fret of the A string.
Downloaded guitar tab excerpt showing less efficient finger positioning for Seven Nation Army riff
While technically correct, this positioning forces your hand to travel a greater distance, which can slow you down, especially when playing faster sections of a song. You could use slides to navigate this, but it changes the intended articulation of the riff. This is a common issue in many freely available tabs – they prioritize string continuity over hand efficiency.
Even software designed to automatically generate tabs can sometimes miss the mark when it comes to optimal finger placement. For instance, using an automatic finger positioning feature in Guitar Pro might suggest moving the D5 note all the way down to the open G string.
Guitar Pro auto-generated tab excerpt showing open G string and inefficient finger positioning for Seven Nation Army riff
While this keeps the notes close together on paper, playing an open G string for this riff can sound noticeably different and sometimes even introduce unwanted string noise or hand interference. The open string’s resonance and the change in timbre can detract from the intended sound of the “Seven Nation Army” riff.
So, when you’re looking for a “7 nation army guitar tab” or tabs for any song, remember that efficient finger positioning is key. Seek out tabs that prioritize keeping your hand movements compact and logical. This will not only make learning songs easier and faster but also improve your overall playing technique and musicality. A well-tabbed song should feel natural and comfortable under your fingers, allowing you to focus on the groove and feeling of the music, rather than wrestling with awkward hand positions.
