This section gives some final examples of tabs where other symbols are used.
In a long piece of music, there may be an extra line to act as a bar counter, as in diagram 8:
bar:1 2
bt: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1e|-0---0---0---0-2-|(2)-2-3---5-------|
2b|-----------------|------------------|
3g| etc...
Where relevant, accompanying rhythm chords will appear at the foot of the tab (see diagram 9):
bt: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
1e|-3---------------|-----------------|
2b|-----0-----------|-1---------------|
3g|-----------------|-0---------------|
4d|-----------------|-2---------------|
5a|-----------------|-3---------------|
6E|-----------------|-----------------|
ch: Em | C
The forward and backward slashes are used to mark a guitar slide. In the first example the slide is played on string 2. Only the fret 3 note is played by plucking the string. The second note is then produced by sliding the left hand finger up the string to fret 5.
2b|---3/5-----------------
In the next example the slide is still upwards to fret 5, but there is no starting fret so you are free to interpret how long the slide will be.
2b|----/5-----------------
And in this example the \ marks a downward slide, so we would start on fret 5 and finish on fret 3.
2b|---3\5-----------------
A hammer on is where you pluck the string to play note 1, but strike the string with your left hand finger to play note 2. In the example below, note that the there is a right hand fingering only for the first note. This is because the second note will be created by finger 3 of your left hand.
2b|---3h5-----------------
LH: 1 3
RH: 1
Note also that you can vary the timing of your hammer on notes. The next example has the same notes as the previous one, but the spacing suggests a delay between the plucked note and the hammer on.
2b|---3---h5--------------
LH: 1 3
RH: 1
A pull off is the reverse of a hammer on. You pluck the first note, then pull off your left hand finger to play the second note.
2b|---5p3-----------------
LH: 1 3
RH: 1
And that’s it! If you need a quick check on any of the topics covered here, they are also listed briefly in the glossary.