The most common symbols in guitar tabs and what they tell you to play

Guitar tabs use letters, numbers, and symbols to show you where to place your fingers on the fretboard and how to play each note. The numbers tell you which fret to press; the symbols tell you how to play it — whether to pluck it straight, bend it, slide into it, or mute it. Learning what each symbol means turns a tab from a confusing grid into a playable instruction.

A tab line represents one string on your guitar. The six lines of a tab staff correspond to your six strings, with the top line being the high E string and the bottom line the low E string. Numbers on those lines show which fret to play. Symbols above, below, or beside the numbers modify how you play that fret.

Key Takeaways

  • Numbers on tab lines show which fret to play; the position of the line tells you which string.
  • A slash (/) means slide up to that fret; a backslash (\) means slide down.
  • A bend symbol (usually a curved line or the letter b) means push or pull the string to raise the pitch without moving your finger up the fretboard.
  • An h means hammer-on (press a new fret without plucking again); a p means pull-off (release a fret to sound a lower note).
  • An x or muted note symbol means mute the string by touching it without pressing hard enough to ring clearly.

Numbers and fret positions

The number itself is the core of any tab. A 0 means play the string open (don't press any fret). A 1 means press the first fret, a 2 means the second fret, and so on. When you see a number on a line, that line is the string you play, and the number is where your finger goes.

Numbers can appear in a vertical stack, which means play those notes at the same time (a chord). Numbers in a horizontal line mean play them one after another. The left-to-right order always shows the order you play the notes.

Slides: moving between frets without lifting your finger

A forward slash (/) between two numbers means slide up from the first fret to the second. A backslash (\) means slide down. Some tabs write out the word "slide" instead, but the slash is standard.

When you slide, you play the first fret, then drag your finger up or down the string to the second fret without lifting off. The second fret sounds as you reach it. Slides are common in rock, blues, and country guitar because they create a smooth, vocal-like connection between notes.

Bends: raising pitch by pushing or pulling the string

A bend symbol (often written as b or shown as a curved line above the note) means push or pull the string to raise its pitch. The number before the b is where you start; the number after (or a plus sign) tells you how far to bend. A bend of a half step raises the pitch by one fret's worth; a full step raises it by two frets' worth.

To play a bend, press the fret and then push the string sideways (usually upward on the higher strings, downward on the lower strings) until the pitch matches the target note. You do not move your finger to a new fret — you stay on the same fret and change the pitch by bending the string. This is a signature technique in blues and rock.

Hammer-ons and pull-offs: playing notes without plucking

An h between two numbers means hammer-on: play the first fret, then press down hard on the second fret without plucking the string again. The second note sounds from the impact of your finger. A p means pull-off: play the first fret, then pull your finger off the string toward the floor (or ceiling, depending on the string) to sound a lower note you are already fretting with another finger.

These techniques let you play fast sequences without picking every note. A hammer-on raises the pitch; a pull-off lowers it. You will often see them chained together, like 5h7p5, which means play fret 5, hammer to fret 7, then pull off back to fret 5.

Muting and dampening

An x or the word "mute" means touch the string without pressing hard enough to make a clear pitch. The string vibrates but sounds dead or percussive. This is common in rhythm guitar and funk styles. Some tabs show muted notes as x instead of a number.

A ~ (tilde) above a note means let it vibrate and fade naturally. A dash or series of dashes under a note shows how long to hold it. These symbols help you understand the rhythm and feel of the part, not just which frets to play.

Other common symbols

A ^ or v above a note shows pick direction: up or down. Some tabs include this; many do not. A * or o above a note can mean harmonic (a high, bell-like sound made by touching the string lightly at a specific point). Parentheses around a number, like (5), often mean that note is optional or played very quietly.

Brackets or lines connecting notes show which notes belong to the same phrase or which ones to play together. Tab notation is not fully standardized, so different sources may use slightly different symbols. When in doubt, look for a legend at the top of the tab that explains what each symbol means for that particular transcription.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 0 mean in guitar tabs?

A 0 means play the string open, without pressing any fret. It is a valid note and sounds the natural pitch of that string. On a standard-tuned guitar, the open strings from top to bottom are E, B, G, D, A, and E.

How do I know which string to play if the tab doesn't label the lines?

The top line is always the high E string, and the bottom line is always the low E string. If you count down from the top, the order is E, B, G, D, A, E. Most tabs label the strings on the left side, but if yours does not, this standard order applies.

What is the difference between a bend and a slide?

A slide moves your finger from one fret to another along the string. A bend stays on the same fret and pushes or pulls the string to change the pitch. Slides are written as / or \; bends are written as b or with a curved line.

Can I play a hammer-on or pull-off on any two frets?

A hammer-on works best when the second fret is higher than the first. A pull-off works best when you already have a finger on a lower fret, so releasing the higher fret lets the lower one ring. Both require enough finger strength and precision to sound clean without an extra pick stroke.

What does it mean if a number is in parentheses?

Parentheses usually mean the note is optional, played very softly, or part of a variation. Some tabs use them to show notes that are implied but not strictly necessary to the main melody or riff.