How Picking Techniques Are Notated in Guitar Tablature
Upstrokes and Downstrokes
Upstrokes and downstrokes with the pick are indicated with symbols placed above a note. A downstroke is indicated with this symbol:
Upstrokes are indicated with the following symbol:
Sweep Picking
Upstroke and downstroke symbols are often used to indicated that several notes are to be played using sweep picking. A line extends from the symbol to indicate which notes are included in the sweep:
Rakes
A rake is a percussive effect created by 'raking' muted strings before playing a pitch. The technique is similar to sweep picking in that the right hand plays several upward or downward strokes in succession. A rake can be played on anywhere from one to five strings (not including the note at the end of the rake) and can go up or down. It is indicated by placing an 'x' on the strings to be raked and a line over the raked strings and the pitch played at the end of the rake.
Palm Muting
Palm muting is indicated by the text 'P.M.' over the notes.
If several notes are palm muted, a line may be used rather that writing 'P.M.' over each one.
Tremolo Picking
A tremolo is a rapid repetition on a single note. It is indicated by one or more slanted lines above or below a note.
Pick Scrapes
A pick scrape is a percussive technique performed by dragging the edge of the pick along the strings. It is indicated with an 'x' on the string(s) to be scraped and a slanted line after the 'x'. The text 'P.S.' is used sometimes.
Arpeggios
An arpeggio is a way of rapidly playing a chord so that each note sounds in succession. This is different from a strum because each note should sound separately. An arpeggio is indicated with a wavy line:
The wavy line may include an arrow on the end indicating the direction of the arpeggio. An up arrow indicates that the arpeggio should start with the lowest pitched string. A down arrow indicates the arpeggio starts on the highest pitched string in the chord.
