The Headless Cross Tab Page
Ledgend of Symbols
---------------------- e <-1st string {{High e string}
---------------------- B <-2nd string
---------------------- D <-3rd string
---------------------- G <-4th string
---------------------- A <-5th string
---------------------- E <-6th string {{Low E string}
[p] [f] [m] Dynamic Marks
p=piano (soft) f=forte (hard) m=mezzo (moderately)
EXAMPLES:
[mf] moderately hard
[ff] very hard
[ppp] very soft
[mf>>p] from moderately hard to soft
--7^(9)[rm h]11`-- Right Hand Hammer Onn
Bend the string at the fret indicated to the tone of the secondary note, then with your
right hand, use a finger, [rm] to hammer [h] the fret indicated following the "h".
In this sample, bend the string at the 7th fret to the tone of the 9th fret, then with
your right middle finger "hammer" or tap, the string on the fret indicated.
In this case, the 11th fret, then release the 11th fret {`}.
ri=right index finger
rm=right middle finger
rr=right ring finger
rp=right pinky finger
---5h7-- Hammer On.
Play the first note as normal, then strike the higher note.
--7p5-- Pull Off.
Play the first note normally, then pull your finger off the higher note, sounding the
second note.
--5^(7)-- Bend Up.
Play the first note normally, then bend the string so that the sound of the second note matches the fret
indicated by the parenthesied () note.
--(7`5)-- Pre Bend (Early Tabs)
A pre bend is a note that is bent on the string
(On my early tabs) indicated and to the tone indicated by the 1st note written,
but ast the fret location of the 2nd note written, followed by the "`".It also
indicates that the pre bend is released down to that note.
--(^5{7}`5)-- Pre Bend (Newer Tabs)
The note played at the fret shown (the 1st number in the bracket is bent(^) to the
position indicated by number in the {} bracket and then released (`) to the original
note. This release does no always follow a Pre Bend. I changed it to this method
because I thought it made more sense.
--5/7-- Slide Up
Play the first note and slide your finger up to the second note indicated.
--7\5-- Slide Down
Play the first note indicated, then slide your finger down to the second note on
the notation
--(7)\-5- Ghost Slide
There are times when a "volumed in", (vp in) note has no true beginning, ie,
Into the Void, Cross Purposes Live. Basically, begin the slide at the note enclosed
in the parentheses and slide down to the second note. It's a guess as to the beginning
of the slide. The slide can be up or down the fret board.
--(5\)-7- Ghost Slide
Opposite of the above. Begin the slide at the note
the parenthesis, and slide up or down to the note indicated.
--x-x-- Muted string
A note with no numeric equivelant that is played by muting the string(s) indicated
and playing or the string(s).
--(xx)-- Ghost Mute
Same as above, however the ghost notes are often fills that happen quickly in a song.
--7~-- Vibrato
Play the note indicated and quickly "wiggle" your finger to create a quick wavering
sound. The sound should be about 1/8 step up and down.
-5^(7~)- Bent Note
Play the first note then bend the string to the second note indicated, and use
vibrato on the bent note.
-----
-----
--7--
--7--
--5--
-----
u
Up Stroke
Play the chord or note indicated and stroke from the "e" string
-----
-----
--7--
--7--
--5--
-----
d
Down Stroke
Play the chord or note indicated and stroke the strings from the "E" string down.
-5h7p5h7p5h7p5- Trill (Early Tabs)
A series of quickly played hammer on and pull offs at the notes indicated.
An essential part of Tony's hot style!!
-(2h4 tr~~~~)- Trill (Newer Tabs)
Same as above, but I changed it after 14 Sept 97. It saves space while transcribing,
and is more descriptive.
{..pm..} Palm Mute
Play the notes indicated but with your pick hand, slightly mute the notes with the
palm or edge of your hand. Another essential to Tony's style!!
{..vp in..} Volumn Pedal IN
Use a volumn pedal and play the note or chord indicated so that you have a "fade in"
effect by slowly increasing the volume.
{..vp out..} Volumn Pedal OUT
Opposite of the above. Decrease the volume to create a fading sound.
-----
--2--
--2--
--2--
--0--
-----
{ss}
Slow Strum
A chord that when played is strummed so that individual notes are distinguishable,
but still has the body and sound of a chord.
* Asterix
Nothing played--just a symbol to help you follow a progression of notes that might
otherwise be confusing (for example: arpegio playing).
--7[~\3]-- Tremolo Down
Using your tremolo bar, bend the note to the sound of the second note indicated.
--7[~/9]-- Tremolo Up
Opposite of the above.
-----x-
----x--
---7---
--7----
-5-----
-------
Arpegio
A chord that each note in the chord is played individually, giving a melodic effect.
Sometimes an arpegio is played quickly, but not always.
[9] Harmonic Note
A note played so that the string is lightly touched with your fret hand and picked
so that a harmonic "ring" is played.
As I transcribe songs, I find that Tony's style also changes. As I find new ways he
uses his axe, I'll add them to this page.
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at sgtalexander@juno.com.
Have fun!
Mike
(
geocities.com/sunsetstrip/towers) (
geocities.com/sunsetstrip)