911tabs911tabs is an online aggregator that helps guitarists, bassists, and other musicians quickly find tablature and chord sheets for thousands of songs. Rather than hosting tabs itself, 911tabs crawls the web and indexes tab pages from many different websites, letting users search, compare, and choose the version that best fits their needs.
How 911tabs works
911tabs functions as a search engine specifically for tabs. When you enter a song title, artist, or even a lyric snippet, the site returns a list of results pulled from multiple tablature sources. Each result typically links directly to the original page where the tab or chord chart is hosted. This approach gives players a broad view of available transcriptions, arrangements, and difficulty levels without relying on a single database.
Types of content found
- Chord sheets: Simple chord progressions for strumming and basic accompaniment.
- Guitar tablature: Detailed fretboard notation showing exact finger placement for riffs, solos, and melodies.
- Bass tabs: Tab notation tailored for bass guitar lines.
- Drum charts and notation: Less common, but sometimes available through linked sources.
- Guitar pro and tab files: Some results link to downloadable files for tablature software (e.g., Guitar Pro).
Pros
- Aggregates many sources in one place, saving time searching multiple sites.
- Shows multiple versions of a song so users can compare arrangements and difficulty.
- Helpful for discovering less-common tabs and user-made transcriptions.
- Simple, search-focused interface optimized for musicians looking for quick results.
Cons
- 911tabs does not host the content, so link quality depends on third-party sites.
- Some linked pages may contain inaccurate transcriptions or poor formatting.
- Ads or paywalls on source sites can interrupt the user experience.
- Copyright issues: because it indexes third-party pages, users may encounter unauthorized or infringing uploads.
Legal and ethical considerations
Tabs and chord sheets are often creative works protected by copyright. 911tabs itself is an index and generally does not host the transcriptions, but many of the linked pages may contain unauthorized reproductions of copyrighted music. Musicians should consider supporting official songbooks, licensed tablature providers, or artist-approved sources when possible to respect creators’ rights.
Tips for getting accurate tabs
- Check multiple versions — consensus across several transcriptions often indicates accuracy.
- Prioritize tabs from reputable sources (official songbooks, established tablature sites, or experienced transcribers).
- Use recordings as a reference: play along and adjust fingerings or timing to match the audio.
- Look for tabs that include timing, rhythm notation, or annotations — these are often more reliable.
- If unsure, seek lessons, community forums, or tabs with high user ratings.
Alternatives and complements
- Ultimate Guitar (and its app) — large community, user ratings, and official licensed content sections.
- Songsterr — interactive playback and synchronized tab scrolling.
- Official songbooks and publisher-licensed tabs — guaranteed accuracy and legality.
- YouTube lessons — visual demonstrations can clarify tricky parts not obvious in tabs.
Conclusion
911tabs is a useful starting point for musicians hunting down guitar and bass tabs across the web. Its aggregator model saves time and exposes players to multiple interpretations, but users should remain mindful of accuracy and copyright when choosing and using transcriptions. For serious study or professional use, supplementing 911tabs searches with official, licensed sources or verified transcriptions is advisable.
Leave a Reply