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Now that you know the basics of reading guitar tablature, let's look at some of the notation we might encounter.
We will also learn how to perform the techniques being discussed!
We have 4 techniques being used in the image below.
Bar 1 is a hammer-on.
It is indicated with a curved line attaching two notes.
A hammer-on is performed by pressing down hard with your fretting hand to produce a sound without picking!
So, you pick the 5th fret note, and then slam down with your ring finger on that 7th fret, and if you do it right, the note will ring.
Bar 2 is a pull-off.
It is indicated with the same curved line that indicates a hammer-on.
A pull-off is roughly the opposite movement to a hammer-on. This time, start with your ring finger on the 7th fret, and your index finger ready on the 5th fret.
 Pick the high E string, and then "pull" your ring finger off the string in a way that it lightly plucks the string again as it leaves. If you do it right, the 5th fret note will ring out.
Bar 3 is a slide. Often, this is indicated only with a slanted line, so keep that in mind.
A slide is just what it sounds like! Place any finger on the 5th fret, pick the note, and slide that finger up to the 7th fret.
If you kept pressure along the string the whole way, it should still be ringing clearly by the time you reach the 7th fret.
Bar 4 is a bend. It is often indicated with an upward or downward pointing arrow.
A bend is performed by pushing a picked string horizontally across the fretboard. This increases the tension on the string and raises the pitch it will create!
Let's look at another 4 techniques.
Bar 1 is a note with Vibrato.
Vibrato applies a slight "wobble" to a note, as it moves in and out of tune.
This is performed by slightly bending the note repeatedly. It's a subtle and somewhat individual technique.
For more details on this technique, check out the page on Bends and Vibrato.
Bar 2 is a Natural Harmonic.
To try this out, lightly touch the high E string directly over the 5th fret wire.
Pick the string, and then immediately lift your finger off the string.
If you got it right, you should hear a unique, high pitched sound.
This trick will work on other frets, too. Try the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets for starters.
Bar 3 is a Palm-Muted Note.
Palm Muting is a picking hand technique. By laying your picking hand gently on the string as we play it, you can reduce how much the string rings out, and produce a "chunkier" sound.
This is often used to tighten up a rhythm part and accentuate the timing.
It works best on the low strings of the guitar.
Bar 4 is a Muted Note.
In essence, this is just "string noise".
You can perform this technique by fully preventing the strings from ringing with your left hand, and then picking or strumming.
It's the sound of the pick hitting the strings.
This is used to create a percussive sound.
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