Beginner with the guitar and need a bit of help with some tabs

Discussion in 'Beginner's Q&A Forum' started by sweetchick, Sep 10, 2007.

  1. sweetchick

    sweetchick New Member

    hi all
    im a beginner with the guitar and need a bit of help with some tabs
    basically i came across something that looks like this

    E-0--5--6---8----7--9
    B---------5---6---6--

    I know how tabs work but in this case im a little confused

    does the tab mean that i only ever need to strum the first two strings? or do i still strum all six with the last four open?

    and this first 0 - does that mean i only play the E string open or do i strum all six strings?

    any help appreciated
    thanx a lot
     
  2. bjr

    bjr Lady of the Evening

    No. You only strike the string on which you want to play a note.
     
  3. Intrinsic

    Intrinsic New Member

    To supplement the previous poster's answer, if you encounter a 0, it means the open string. I will assume that you do know the rest of the numbering on the guitar. Some tabs you will find will have an indication on the timing. Typically, if the tab looks like this:
    e--------||
    B--------||
    G--------||
    D--------||
    A--------||
    E--------||

    In this case, you can assume that each "-" is to cue you in on the time signature. Btw, unless specifically noted with a string, you will not strum or strike any string. When it comes to chords, then you can assume that the string is struck unless specified with an X (though X could mean either mute or miss. Depending on the location)
     
  4. sweetchick

    sweetchick New Member

    oh ok..thank u bjr and intrinsic

    so does that mean if you play tabs then you will normally only be strinking one note at a time?
    and with chords, u get the full strumming effect with all strings?

    hope i got that right...please shed some light...i will appreciate it

    thanks
     
  5. bjr

    bjr Lady of the Evening

    yes. Sometimes in a tab you'll find two(or more) notes written one below the other and that's when you have to play them both at once and strike more than one string.
     
  6. abhkumar

    abhkumar New Member

    help in plucking two strings simoultaneously!!

    hey bjr!!
    Can u plz tell me how to play two strings at the same time like the example below:

    --------------3----------
    -------------------------
    -0-----------------------
    0------------------------
    --------------4----------
    -------------------------

    like '3' on first string and '4' on 5th string is played at the same time.
    Plz give some tips.

    Thanx.
    Abhishek
     
  7. bjr

    bjr Lady of the Evening

    If you're using just your fingers, you'd normally use the thumb to pick the note on the 5th string and your ring finger to pluck the not on the 1st.


    Some people also use the plectrum to pick the fifth and still manage to pluck the first string with their third finger. I think it's called hybrid picking (not sure).
     
  8. abhkumar

    abhkumar New Member

    thanx bjr!!
     

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