Symbols and abbreviations

This page lists all symbols and abbreviations used on this site, with brief examples where relevant. You can also click on the »» signs for further details.

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Barline. Marks a bar division in a guitar tab or a chord and lyric sheet.

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The two dots indicate a repeated section of music beginning from this barline.

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slide up

Example:

|---3/5---- means "play the note at fret 3 then slide up to fret 5" »»

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slide down

Example:

|---5\3---- means "play the note at fret 5 then slide down to fret 3" »»

1e

the first string in guitar tablature. Tuned to E in standard tuning. »»

2b

the second string in guitar tablature. Tuned to B in standard tuning. »»

3g

the third string in guitar tablature. Tuned to G in standard tuning. »»

4d

the fourth string in guitar tablature. Tuned to D in standard tuning. »»

5a

the fifth string in guitar tablature. Tuned to A in standard tuning. »»

6E

the sixth string in guitar tablature (Capital E to distinguish from string 1). Tuned to E in standard tuning. »»

bar:

bar counter in guitar tablature. Used in long sections of music to be able to refer more easily to a particular point in the music. Usually the first bar on each line is the only marked bar. »»

bt:

marks the beat line in a guitar tab »»

ch:

marks the chord line in a guitar tab »»

h

hammer on »»

LH

left hand (provides suggested left hand fingerings for the fretboard) »»

p

pull off »»

r

rest note

RH

right hand (provides suggested fingerings for right hand fingerpicking) »»