Common Techniques When Playing the Guitar
Using the Pick
Simply hold the pick in your hand and pluck one or more strings.
Fingerpicking
Use one or more fingers to pluck the strings. In some tablature, it tells you which fingers to use by number. Your index finger is 1, middle finger is 2, ring finger is 3, pinky is 4, and your thumb is 5.
Hammer-Ons
Using a pick or your finger, pluck a string. Then, with your left hand (if you are playing a right handed guitar), place your finger on the string of whatever fret you are supposed to play for the hammer-on. This causes the string to make a higher sound.
Pull-Offs
With your finger on one of the strings, pluck the string and then quickly remove your finger from the string. Opposite of the hammer-on, the pull-off causes the string to make a lower sound.
Tapping
This is where you literally "tap" on a string with your finger on the neck of the guitar.
Sliding
This can be done with your finger or a special little glass or metal tube placed over your finger. For using your finger, simply pluck a string and then, with your finger on the string, keep firm pressure on the string and slide up or down the neck to another fret. If you are using the slider, pluck a string, then apply light pressure to the string ith the slider and slide to wherever you want to go.
Using a Capo
The capo is almost like a clamp that you apply on the neck of the guitar. Simply open the capo and then put it on any fret (don't put it directly on the fret, just slightly behind it). This creates a higher sound.
Top