Guitar Arrangements Explained

With a lineage dating back over 4,000 years, the guitar evolved from ancient instruments like the lute and oud. Its modern form emerged in 15th-century Spain, evolving through centuries with innovations like the six-string design by Antonio de Torres. Today, the guitar stands as a global symbol of musical expression and creativity.

We have several different arrangement types for guitarists and we're here to walk you through the different options available. We've even hand-picked some of our favorite titles for each arrangement type to help get you started.

Our most popular guitar arrangement type. Usually closely related to a note-for-note guitar/vocal transcription, but may vary a bit based on the transcriber's discretion. Arrangements include TAB, notation, vocal melody & chord symbols. All guitars are transcribed and matches a specific recorded version.

Note-for-note guitar/vocal transcriptions where one guitar part is to be played from start-to-finish. Arrangements include TAB, standard notation, vocal melody & chord symbols. Matches a specific recorded studio or live version. The majority of these arrangements come from the Hal Leonard Guitar PlayAlong series.

Note-for-note "rhythm tab" guitar/lyric transcriptions. Arrangements include chord symbols, but no notation. All guitars are transcribed, and matches a specific recorded version.

These are mostly "fingerstyle" arrangements for unaccompanied guitarists. Arrangements combines chords with the melody. Some include chord symbols (such as most jazz songs) and most include TAB.

Arrangements include lyrics, chord symbols, and chord diagrams, but no tab, notation, or melody (some include the vocal melody of first few measures for reference).

Arrangements featuring a simplified melody line in lead sheet format. Includes melody, lyrics, chord symbols, and chord diagrams.

These arrangements are for unaccompanied guitar - combining chords, melodies, and riffs into a simple arrangement. Includes TAB, melody, lyrics, chord symbols, and chord diagrams.

Notation-only arrangements for 3 guitarists playing together. The top voice plays the melody, with two additional, lower accompaniment parts. Includes chord symbols but no diagrams.

Simplified arrangements featuring riffs, accompaniment patterns etc., using both rhythm TAB and rhythm "slashes" Includes lyrics, chord symbols and diagrams (no notation).

Simplified arrangements featuring riffs, accompaniment patterns etc. using only play-by-number TAB. Includes lyrics, chord symbols, and diagrams (no notation or rhythm TAB).

Recommended Really Easy Guitar Titles:
Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd
I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
Riptide, Vance Joy
Blackbird, The Beatles
A Horse with No Name, America