Guitar Techniques

Tabs often include the techniques used to achieve the sound in a song. To new guitarists, these may be new and unfamiliar. This page serves as a guide, explaining how those techniques work and how to use them.

=
Hammer Ons and Pull Offs create a smoother sound when playing. To Hammer on simply play a note and then without strumming or plucking again and keeping your finger on the fret your just played, quickly place another finger on another fret below the one you are currently on. If done right, you will hear the sound transition from the note your first played to the higher sounding note of the lower fret. Pull offs work exactly the opposite. Instead of hitting a fret that is lower on the neck, have a finger placed on two frets. Play the note and then lift your finger off the fret that is lower on the neck, this will create the same effect as a Hammer On. These are marked on tabs by an h or p.=====

Slides
A slide is a simple maneuver in which after playing a note, you slide your finger, still pressed down, up or down the neck without strumming again. These are marked on tabs by a / for sliding up or \ for sliding down.

Bends
A bend is a maneuver in which the player pushes the string to the side in order to make the pitch of the note rise or fall. To perform this, you should do what is called reinforced bending in which you place extra fingers above the fret in order to have an easier time bending. These are marked on tabs by a b followed by a rb to indicate when to release.

Palm Mutes
A palm mute is a technique in which the sound of the guitar is softened. To perform, simply place your wrist lightly against the strings below where you are picking. These are marked on tabs by a PM.