Hammer-ons

A hammer-on is played by plucking a note then "hammering-on" another fret. The symbol for a hammer-on is an "h" and the note that you hammer-on is on is the one that follows the "h".

e|-------|
B|-------|
G|--7h9--|
D|-------|
A|-------|
E|-------|

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Pull-offs

A pull-off is played by plucking a note then letting go of that note and letting one at a lower fret sound. The symbol for a pull-off is a "p". The note that you pluck is the one before the "p". The note after the "p" is the one that rings when you pull off of that note.

e|-------|
B|-------|
G|--9p7--|
D|-------|
A|-------|
E|-------|

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Bending, Releasing, And Vibrato

A bend is done when you push or pull a string in order to get a higher sound. The higher pitch is called the "target pitch". The symbol for a bend is a "b" or an "^". The note before the symbol shows the fret you are bending at, and the note after the symbol is the "target pitch". In other words, you are trying to get a sound like the note at the fret after the "b". A release is shown by an "r". As you may know, a release is when a string is already bent and let go of it. The note before the"r" represents the bent tone or the "target pitch", and the note after it is note you get after you release the bend.

Vibrato ("~") is simply when you wiggle your finger at a fret to produce a pulsating sound. You will find the "~" symbol after a note that you are to use "vibrato" on. Look at the example below for bending, releasing, and vibrato effects.

e|--------------|
B|--------------|
G|--7b9r7---7~--|
D|--------------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|

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Sliding

Slides are shown by a "/" or a "\". A slide up (/) is when you play a note then slide your finger up to the target pitch. A slide down is the same accept you slide down.

Vibrato ("~") is simply when you wiggle your finger at a fret to produce a pulsating sound. You will find the "~" symbol after a note that you are to use "vibrato" on. Look at the example below for bending, releasing, and vibrato effects.

e|---------|
B|---------|
G|--7/9\7--|
D|---------|
A|---------|
E|---------|

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So here is what you need to remember in terms of tablature symbols. A quick round up chart:

\ = Slide down
/ = Slide up
h = Hammer on
p = Pull off
b = Bend
r = Release
v = Vibrato