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Reading guitar tablature found on the
Internet
Ghost notes and
optional notes
The best description of a
ghost note, is a note that is felt but not heard. You will play the note softer,
and without emphasis. The note is usually in-between 2 parentheses. In addition,
notes in parentheses could mean optional notes. For instance, if a particular
riff is repeated, but sometimes the guitar player throws in some additional
notes, those additional notes may be in parentheses. Do keep in mind the use of
parentheses for bent notes as well.
The example below could mean
either a ghost note or an optional note. There is no way of telling without a
recording. And really in this context, do either and it will sound fine.
E:--------------------
B:--------------3-----
G:--------------2-----
D:--------------0-----
A:---3--(0)--3--------
E:--------------------
Right Hand Tapping
Right hand tapping is
basically a hammer-on with a right hand finger, usually your 1st or 2nd.
This hammer-on with your right hand is indicated with a "t". Pull-offs from your
right hand are indicated with a "p", like a normal pull off. Another way that
you may see right hand tapping notated, is a "+" above the tapped note, along
with any of the variations of hammer-on and pull-off notation.
+
+
E:------t12p5h8t12--- or –12^5^7^12---
B:------------------------------------
G:------------------------------------
D:------------------------------------
A:------------------------------------
E:------------------------------------
Reference Lessons
For more information on right
hand tapping, check out this lesson.
Right
hand tapping - This is a technique that was made popular by Eddie VanHalen.
From flash to more subtle uses, this technique is a great addition to your
arsenal.
Rhythm click or Muted
string
When you see an "x" in
tablature, it means a rhythmic click, or to mute the string. In the following
example, you would strum the chord. Then lift your fingers up so that you are no
longer pressing the strings down against the fret bar, but you are still
touching the string so that you will hear a "click" when strummed.
E:----3-x-x-3-x-x-3---
B:----3-x-x-3-x-x-3---
G:----4-x-x-4-x-x-4---
D:----5-x-x-5-x-x-5---
A:----5-x-x-5-x-x-5---
E:----3-x-x-3-x-x-3---
If you were to see an "x" in
the middle of what looks to be a chord or between 2 other notes, this would mean
to mute that string. You will usually mute the string with a finger that you are
already using to play the next note lower. In the following example you will
mute the 5th string with your 2nd finger, which is the
same finger that you are using to play the note on the 6th string.
For the most part, try and avoid using a finger that is not already in use.
E:----3----- 4th finger
B:----3----- 3rd finger
G:----0----- open
D:----0----- open
A:----x----- mute with your 2nd finger
E:----3----- 2nd finger
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