Technique Symbols
The following tablature symbols will appear throughout this book. If you are not familiar with standard music or tablature notation, see the How To Read Music section.
The Hammer-On
A curved line and the letter H indicates a hammer-on. The first note is played but the second note is produced by hammering on the left hand finger, which plays the second note.
The Pull-Off
A curved line and the letter P indicates a pull-off. The first note is played but the second note is produced by pulling off the left hand finger, which plays the second note.
The Slide
The letter S and a straight line indicates a slide. If the line comes from below the number, slide from a lower fret but if the line is above the number, slide from a higher fret. The bracketed number in the tab is the fret to slide from.
The Bend
The letter B and a curved line represents a bend. The note is played by the left hand finger which bends the string (from the note indicated in the tab to the pitch of the note in brackets).
The Reverse Bend
A curved line on the top left hand side of the number and the letter R indicates a reverse bend. This technique involves bending the note indicated with the left hand (from the pitch of the note in brackets), playing the string while bent, then returning the string to its normal position. The reverse bend creates a drop in pitch from a higher note to a lower note.
Vibrato
A wavy line shown above the note indicates when vibrato is used. Vibrato is controlled with the left hand finger which is fretting the note. As the finger frets the note, move the finger rapidly back and forth in the direction of the adjacent strings.
Pick Tremolo
Three lines above the tablature or on the stem of a note in standard notation indicates pick tremolo. A pick tremolo is played with the pick and involves a rapid playing of a note with continuous alternating down and up picks.
