What Do the Symbols Mean?
3 Mins
From How to Read Ukulele Tabs
About The Lesson
Lesson Materials
Hammer-On
This is the “h” that sits between 2 numbers.
To execute a hammer-on, you need to pluck the first note as normal. Then use your next finger to press down on the following fret without plucking.
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
C|------------------------|
G|------------------------|
Pull Off
This is the “p” that also sits between 2 numbers.
A|------------------------|
E|------------------------|
C|------------------------|
G|------------------------|
Slide
This is the “/” or “\” that instructs you to slide between notes.
Sliding creates a smooth transition between notes. It’s great for adding a little bit of delicacy to your arrangements. To execute a slide, pluck the first note and then slide either up or down depending on which way the slash is facing.
A|-----------|------------|
E|-----------|------------|
C|-----------|------------|
G|-----------|------------|
Vibrato
The “~” symbol requires us to vibrate the strings.
Vibrato has its origins in blues music. It’s the motion of bending the string up and down ever so softly. Most of the movement should be in your wrists and hands.
A|-----------------0------|
E|--------------0---------|
C|--3--4-----0------------|
G|--------0---------------|
Bends
This is the “b” that you will find between 2 numbers.
Bending the strings has a similar sound to a slide. Its essentially a smooth transtion between notes but instead of moving to a new fret. We are bending the string to get a new pitch (the number following the “b” symbol).
A|--3---------------------|
E|--0---------------------|
C|--0---------------------|
G|--0---------------------|
