Pick up your guitar and hold it in your normal playing position. Put the guitar tab in front of you, where it is easily readable, and put the pencil within easy reach.
Become familiar with the tab. Tab uses six lines, one for each string on the guitar; the string with the lowest pitch is the bottom line on the tab, and the highest string is the top line. When you look down at your guitar, the strings should be in the same order as the lines on the tab.
Skim the tab and search for two or more numbers directly above each other. These numbers (notes) will be played at the same time, and may represent chords. (If this “stack” of numbers includes an \"x\"--which indicates that the string should not be played--the stack is almost certainly a chord.) Compare the single notes around the stack of numbers; fingering chords reduces the dexterity required to play the solo, as well as making the solo easier to learn. You can mark the name of the chord on the tab for faster recognition.
Search the tab for numbers linked by \"p\" or \"h.\" These are the symbols for pull-ons and pull-offs, and indicate that you will be using two fingers on the same string, one after the other. These combinations will affect your fingerings for nearby notes, so they are important. You may want to use the pencil to note which fingers will be used for these notes; it will eliminate confusion later.
Check the tab for “slides”--notes connected by \"/\" (slide up) or \"\\\" (slide down). These notes will be played with the same finger. (Note: Some older tablature may connect the two notes with an arc.)
Practice using the tab, paying attention to your pencil markings. The first time will be slow, as you will need to work out the fingerings. Use the pencil to add notations about how to finger any tricky passages.
Repeat this process several times. It will not take long to work out the best fingerings and get used to them. Then all you need to do is practice the solo until you get it down.