Tablature Conventions

This is a quick “key” to conventions in guitar tabs on this site.

IN TABLATURE:

       0 =  Open string (or result of capo).
   1 2 3 =  Finger at fret 1 2 3 etc on that string.
   ----- =  Empty space on that string.
   A / B =  Slide up from fret A to fret B.
   A \ B =  Slide down from fret A to fret B.
   A h B =  Hammer on B from fret A.
   A p B =  Pick-off from fret A to hold fret B.
       v =  Vibrato.
       b =  Bend and release - typically 1 or 2 semitones.
       . =  (below tab) Palm-muted ("chugga").
       x =  Forced "slap" mute of string/strings.
       | =  Bar-break (where relevant); start/end tab.
   -etc- =  Strum appropriate rhythm on previous chord.
   pp ff =  (above tab) Dynamics (pp, p, mp, mf, f, ff).

IN CHORDS/CHORD-LABELS:

      MA =  Refering to a MAJOR chord, esp. MAJOR 7th.
      mi =  Refering to a MINOR chord.
     MA9 =  MAJOR 9th (ie with MAJOR 7th also).
     dim =  Diminished triad (dim 7th implied).
    dim7 =  Diminished (with 7th).
   mi7b5 =  Half-diminished.
     AUG =  Augmented triad.
    mi#7 =  MINOR triad with MAJOR (raised) 7th.
    sus2 =  Suspended 2nd triad (like add-9 with no 3rd).
    sus4 =  Suspended 4th triad (like add-11 with no 3rd).
     sus =  Assume "sus4".
 (drone) =  A chordless bass note or earth.
       / =  Altered bass; eg D9/C = D9 with C in bass.
       * =  Added extensions, eg C "add" 11.
     C*9 =  C-add-9, no 7th played but dom 7th implied.
   CMA*9 =  C-add-9, no 7th played but MAJ 7th implied.
       b =  Flat.
      bb =  Double-flat.
       o =  Diminished (re extensions/alterations).
       # =  Sharp.
       X =  Double-sharp.
      AU =  Augmented (re extensions/alterations).
   *9/13 =  Add 9th and 13th (/ not altered bass after *).