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Guitar Tab Glossary

Bending Notes

Half Step – Play the note and bend the string one half step. This is equal to one fret.

Whole Step – Play the note and bend string one whole step. This is equal to two frets.

Whole Step And A Half – Play the note and bend string a whole step and a half.

Two Steps – Play the note and bend string two whole steps.

Slight Bend ( Microtone ) – Play the note and bend string slightly to the equivalent of half a fret.

Prebend and Release – Bend the string, play it, then release to the original note.

Articulations

Hammer On – Play lower note, then “hammer on” to higher note with another finger. Only the first note is played.

Pull Off – Play higher note, then “pull off ” to lower note with another finger. Only the first note is played.

Legato Slide – Play note and slide to the following note. Only the first note is played.

Long Glissando – Play note and slide in in specified direction for the full value of the note.

A short glissando is just like this, but…..shorter.

Trill – Hammer on and pull off consecutively and as fast as possible between the original note and the grace note.

Accent – Notes or chords are to be played with added emphasis.

Staccato – Notes or chords are to be played roughly half their actual value and with separation.

Vibrato – The pitch of a note is varied by a rapid shaking of the fret hand finger, wrist, and forearm.

Harmonics

Natural Harmonics – A finger of the fret hand lightly touches the note or notes indicated in the tab and is played by the pick hand.

Artificial Harmonics – The first tab number is fretted, then the pick hand produces the harmonic by using a finger to lightly touch the same string at the second tab number ( in parenthesis ) and is then picked by another finger.