Notes on the Guitar (In Letter Form) A Standard Guitar has 22 to 24 frets.
f = fret
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
___f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E_f____
___f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B_f____
___f__Ab_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G_f____
___f__Eb_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D_f____
___f__Bb_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A_f____
___f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E__f__F__f__F#_f__G__f__G#_f__A__f__A#_f__B__f__C__f__C#_f__D__f__D#_f__E_f____
Notation Symbols
fing = finger - Number of finger that is placed on the string for chord or single notes. 1 is your index finger, 2 is your middle finger, 3 is your ring finger, and 4 is your pinky.
d = down stroke - Pluck the string /s with your pick strumming down towards your lap.
u = up stroke - Pluck the string /s with your pick strumming up towards the ceiling.
x = muted string or not touched; placed lightly on string while strumming a chord or muting a chord.
p = pull off from note
h = hammer on to note
tab = tablature
op = open note
opt. = optional ( optional sign will say: can be played or not. Your choice.
strm = strum (Strum means: to strum the strings with a pick in the direction that follows.) (see upstroke & downstroke for examples.)
str = string
/ = slide up to note
\ = slide down to note
(2) = touch string before you pick it or it's used in a slide.
B1 = bend note half step higher in pitch 1 fret. example : Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and bend note towards the ceiling. Bend to the pitch of the 8th fret 3rd string.
B2 = bend note whole step in pitch 2 frets. Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and bend to the 9th fret pitch.
B3 = bend note whole step and a half in pitch 3 frets. Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and bend to the 10th fret pitch.
B4 = bend note two whole steps in pitch 4 frets. Touch string on the 7th fret 3rd string and bend to the 11th fret pitch.
R = release bent note ( bend of the string has a silent release )
(B1) = bend note before picking the string half step in pitch 1 fret higher.
(B2) = bend note before picking the string whole step in pitch 2 frets higher.
(B3) = bend note before picking the string whole step and a half in pitch 3 frets higher.
(B4) = bend note before picking the string two whole steps in pitch 4 frets higher.
GR = gradual release of a bent note
TD1 = tremolo down 1 fret Tremolo means use of your tremolo bar. Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and sound out note while pulling down the tremolo bar 1 fret half step lower to the 6th fret in pitch.
TD2 = tremolo down 2 frets / Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and sound out note while pulling down the tremolo bar 2 frets whole step lower to the 5th fret in pitch.
TB1 = tremolo bend 1 fret / Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and sound out note while pulling up with the tremolo bar 1 fret half step higher to the 8th fret in pitch.
TB2 = tremolo bend 2 frets / Touch string at the 7th fret 3rd string and sound out note while pulling up with the tremolo bar 2 frets whole step higher to the 9th fret in pitch.
TR = tremolo release. Release tremolo bar and allow it to rturn to it's resting position.
(TD1) = tremolo drop 1 fret / Take the tremolo bar and pull down 1 fret half step lower before touching the string.
(TD2) = tremolo drop 2 frets / Take the tremolo bar and pull down 2 frets whole step lower before touching the string.
trl = trill also writen trill Play note on the 2nd fret 3rd string with your first finger and hammer to the 4th fret 3rd string and release. When you do this fast you will get the idea.
This is also classical guitar ordiments.
:I or if you see at the end of the bar I: = A repeat sign. When specified how many more times played. If not specified, we know that it's only 1 more time through. You might see more repeat signs and if you do, would count as 1 more time through.
8va-------- = play one octave high than the original notes were played
Oct = Octave - example : A note 5th fret 6th str. 12 frets up to the A note 17th fret 6th str. would be an octave. Any note from the starting point, when you move up 12 frets or down will be an octave.
Tap Ons = Tap on string with finger one octave from the note and makes a harmonic sound
Pull Offs = Named after our so called name tap-ons and the right terminology name is pull offs. When ever you see on top of the staff the letter T over a number you will tap your finger on the string specified.
harm. writen also NH, har, and <> = natural harmonic Lightly touch string on the 12th fret with finger and pick string
art harm. = writen also AH and artifical harmonic Place your finger on the 5th fret 3rd string and while picking the string with the pick, mute strings with your thumb to make an artifical harmonic sound . This effect works better having your guitar plugged into an amplifier. It takes practice but you'll get it.
tri = Triplet ( played three notes in succession) per beat.
in 4/4 timing 1 triplet 2 triplet 3 triplet 4 triplet
Vib = Vibrato is a controlled repeated bend.
Count = The timing of each bar (and should be counted out loud) while tapping your foot to keep the timing of each chord or note (s) in the music score.
4/4 Timing = 4 notes to 4 beats per measure or bar. The count is the same as below 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
& = half a beat "for an exam." 1 is the beat and the & is the half a beat in between the 1 and 2 beat. The beat goes like this : 1 beat half 2 beat half 3 beat half 4 beat half.
The count is 4/4 timing and counted 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &.
When the count is 3/4 timing it's counted 1 & 2 & 3 &.
The above rule of counts goes with everything. This is the big part of playing music is to keep in good tming or it doesn't sound like music.
