Tablature Symbols

Tablature Symbols

The numbers don’t really describe the subtle techniques that a guitarist can execute, these are the tablature symbols that represent various techniques.

h – hammer on p – pull off b – bend string up r – release bend / – slide up \ – slide down v – vibrato (sometimes written as ~) t – right hand tap s – legato slide S – shift slide – natural harmonic [n] – artificial harmonic n(n) – tapped harmonic tr – trill T – tap

TP – trem. picking PM – palm muting \n/ – tremolo bar dip; n = amount to dip \n – tremolo bar down n/ – tremolo bar up /n\ – tremolo bar inverted dip = – hold bend; also acts as connecting device for hammers/pulls <> – volume swell (louder/softer) x – on rhythm slash represents muted slash o – on rhythm slash represents single note slash

A Hammer On A hammer on is executed by picking a note and then hammering done with the fretting hand on the second note. The second note isn’t actually picked but kind of echos the first one. Here is an example of how hammer ons are written in tab: e----------------------5h7---- B------------------5h7-------- G--------------5h7------------ D----------5h7---------------- A------5h7-------------------- E--5h7------------------------

A Pull Off A pull off is the opposite of a hammer on, so the first note is played again then the fretting hand pulls the finger off and lets the one fretted behind it play. e----------------------7p5---- B------------------7p5-------- G--------------7p5------------ D----------7p5---------------- A------7p5-------------------- E--7p5------------------------

A Bend A bend is represented by the symbol ‘b’, this is where the fretting hand actually bends the string to give a wobbly effect. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7b----7b------------------- D--------------7b----7b------- A----------------------------- E-----------------------------

A Release Bend A release bend is represented by the symbol ‘r’, this is just like a bend, but it tells you when to release the bend and go to the next note. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7r5---7r5------------------ D--------------7r5---7r5------ A----------------------------- E-----------------------------

A Slide-Up A slide up is represented by the symbol ‘/’. You would play the first note on 7 then slide the finger that is holding that note up to 9. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7/9---7/9------------------ D--------------7/9---7/9------ A----------------------------- E-----------------------------

A Slide-Down Opposite of a Slide Up, slide down is represented by the symbol ‘\’. You would play the first note on 7 then slide the finger that is holding that note down to 5. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7/5---7/5------------------ D--------------7/5---7/5------ A----------------------------- E-----------------------------

Vibrato Vibrato is like a constant rhythmic bending of the string. You do a bend up and bend down quickly to create a moving sound. It is usually represented by ‘v’ or ‘~’. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7v------------------------- D--------------------7~~~----- A----------------------------- E-----------------------------

Tapping Tapping is much like a hammer-on but you don’t strum any notes. Just tap the notes on the fret board with your fretting hand. e----------------------------- B----------------------------- G--7t---7t---7t--------------- D----------------------------- A----------------------------- E-----------------------------