Rush: Force Ten From the album Hold Your Fire (Mercury Records) Copyright 1987 Core Music Publishing Music by Lee and Lifeson Lyrics by Peart and Dubois Comments/corrections to Rich Soto Transcription by Jim Cirronella A- Intro (4/4 time) A7sus4 w+ (w+) (w+) (H) q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2----| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2----| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *bass riff enters (guitar tacet) (2xs) q e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e q e:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| B:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|o-2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| D:|o-2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *let chords ring A5 q e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e+ e:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2-2--| D:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2-2--| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| > > B - Verse I F#(no 3rd) (w+) (w) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--(2)------------|-(2)--------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--(2)------------|-(2)--------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|--(0)------------|-(0)--------------|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--| E:|-----------------|------------------|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--| > > > > E(no 3rd) A(no 3rd) q e e e e q Q e+ (h) e e e e e e e e e e e q e e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-----------------|------------------|------2-----2------|--2-----2----------| D:|---------7---/9--|--/11--9--(9)~----|------2-----2------|--2-----2-----2----| A:|--2--7-9---9-----|------------------|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0---4---4--| E:|--0--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| * w/tremolo bar > > > > F# (no 3rd) E(no 3rd) w e e e e e e q q Q e e e e e h q e:|-----------------|------------------|-----0---<5>---<7>-|----<12>-----------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-----0------<5>----|-<7>----<12>~-<12>-| G:|-----------------|------------------|-----4-------------|-------------------| D:|--4~-------------|--4-----4-----4---|--2--2-------------|-------------------| A:|--4~-------------|--4-----4-----4---|--2--2-------------|-------------------| E:|--2~-------------|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2---|--0--0-------------|-------------------| > > > D(maj) F#(no 3rd) q Q e e e e e e e h w e e e e e e q e:|-----2------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----3-----3------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--2-------2-p0-|------0----------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--0---------------|--4-4---4-/4-----|--4----------------|--4-----4-----4----| A:|------------------|-----------------|--4----------------|--4-----4-----4----| E:|------------------|-----------------|--2----------------|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2----| *w/tremolo > > > bar D#minor C#(sus2) q Q e+ (q) w q Q e+ (q) Q e+ (e) e+ (q) e:|------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----7---6--(6)---|-----------------|-----4-------------|--6--4--(4)--------| G:|--8---------------|--8~-------------|--6------6--(6)----|------------6--(6)-| D:|--8---------------|-----------------|--6----------------|-------------------| A:|--6---------------|-----------------|--4----------------|-------------------| E:|------------------|-----------------|-------------------|-------------------| {* let notes ring---------------------------------------------------------} F# (no 3rd) D#minor w Q e+ (h) q h q Q e+ (q) q e:|-----------------|-------2--(2)~----|-------------------|--6----------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|------7------7-----|-----7--(7)--------| G:|-----------------|------------------|--8---8------------|-------------8-----| D:|--4--------------|------------------|--8---8------------|-------------------| A:|--4--------------|------------------|--6----------------|-------------------| E:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| {* let notes ring----------------} C#(sus2) B(sus2) ---3--- Q e+ (q) q Q e+ (h) Q e+ (h) h q q q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------3--3--3--| B:|------4--(4)-----|--4---------------|------2--(2)-------|--<5>-----3--3--3--| G:|--6-----------6--|------6--(6)------|--4----------------|----------2--2--2--| D:|--6--------------|------------------|--4----------------|----------2--2--2--| A:|--4--------------|------------------|--2----------------|----------0--0--0--| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| {* let notes ring-------------------------------} * dive bomb w/ tremolo bar A7sus4 w+ (w) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------| E:|-----------------|------------------| (* Overdub I begins, continues in chorus) C - Chorus I (6/4 time) A7sus4 W+ (W+) (W+) (w+) (q) q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| D:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *Play twice - guitar tacet throughout Play A7sus4 chord 2nd time only D - Verse II (4/4 time) q e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e q e:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| B:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2----| D:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2----| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *let chords ring A5 q e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e+ e:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2-2--| D:|--2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2-2--| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| > > F#(no 3rd) (w+) (w) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--(2)------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--(2)------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|--(0)------------|--(0)-------------|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--| E:|-----------------|------------------|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--| E(major) A(no 3rd) q H Q e+(h) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|-----0-----------|--0-----/0-(0)----|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----0-----------|--0-----/0-(0)----|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-----1-----------|--3-----/1-(1)----|-------------------|-------------------| D:|-----2-----------|--2-----/2-(2)----|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--| A:|-----2-----------|------------------|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--| E:|--0--------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| * w/tremolo bar F# (no 3rd) E(no 3rd) w e e e e+(e)e e e+ (q) q Q e+ (q) q Q e+ e:|----------------|-------------------|-------0--0-----0--|--(0)--0--0--------| B:|----------------|-------------------|-------0--0-----0--|--(0)--0--0--------| G:|----------------|-------------------|-------4--4-----4--|--(4)--4--4----<7>-| D:|--4~------------|-2-p0---2-(2)----2-|--(2)--2--2-----2--|--(2)--2--2--------| A:|--4~------------|-------------4-0-2-|--(2)--2--2-----2--|--(2)--2--2--------| E:|--2~------------|-----------------0-|--(0)--0--0-----0--|--(0)--0--0--------| > > F#(no 3rd) (q) (q) (q) (q) (e e e e e e e e) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-(7)-(7)-(7)-(7)-|-(7)~-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|-----------------|------------------|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--|--4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--| E:|-----------------|------------------|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--|--2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--| * w/ tremolo bar (see performance note #5) D#(no 3rd) C#(sus2) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e q e e q e e q e e q e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-----4-4-----4-4---|-----4-4-----4-4---| B:|-----------------|------------------|-----4-4-----4-4---|-----4-4-----4-4---| G:|-----------------|------------------|-----6-6-----6-6---|-----6-6-----6-6---| D:|-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-|-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8--|-----6-6-----6-6---|-----6-6-----6-6---| A:|-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-|-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6--|-----4-4-----4-4---|-----4-4-----4-4---| E:|-----------------|------------------|-----4-4-----4-4---|-----4-4-----4-4---| F# (no 3rd) D# (no 3rd) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|-----------------|------------------|--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8--|--8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8--| A:|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-|-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4--|--6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6--|--6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6--| E:|-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-|-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2--|-------------------|-------------------| ---3--- Q e+ (q) q+ (w) h Q e+ (h) q q q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------3--3--3--| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------3--3--3--| G:|-10--11-(11)--13-|-(13)~------------|--11-----/10--/11--|--(11)\---2--2--2--| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------2--2--2--| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------0--0--0--| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| * w/ tremolo bar (see performance note #6) A7sus4 w+ (w+) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------| E:|-----------------|------------------| (* Overdub I begins, continues in chorus) E - Chorus II (6/4 time) A7sus4 W+ (W+) (W+) (w+) (q) q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------0----| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------0---o| D:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *Play twice - guitar tacet throughout Play A7sus4 chord 2nd time only F - Solo Section (4/4 time) w+ (w) w+ (w) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| (* Overdub II begins) w+ (w) w+ (h+) (q) q e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|--------------0----| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|--------------0----| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|--------------2----| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------|-------------------|--------------0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| w+ (w) w+ (w) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| (* Overdub III begins) w+ (w) w+ (w) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G - Post-Solo Break q q h q q q q q q h q q h e:|------3----------|-------3-------0--|-------3-----------|------3------------| B:|------3----------|-------3-------3--|-------3-----------|------3------------| G:|------2----------|-------2-------0--|-------2-----------|------2------------| D:|------2----------|-------2-------2--|-------2-----------|------2------------| A:|------0----------|-------0-------0--|-------0-----------|------0------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| q q h q q q q q q h q q q q e:|------3----------|-------3-------0--|-------3-----------|------3-------3----| B:|------3----------|-------3-------3--|-------3-----------|------3-------3----| G:|------2----------|-------2-------0--|-------2-----------|------2-------2----| D:|------2----------|-------2-------2--|-------2-----------|------2-------2----| A:|------0----------|-------0-------0--|-------0-----------|------0-------0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| w+ (w+) (w+) (w+) e:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|--(3)--------------|--(3)--------------| B:|--3--------------|--(3)-------------|--(3)--------------|--(3)--------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|--(2)--------------|--(2)--------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------|--(2)--------------|--(2)--------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------|--(0)--------------|--(0)--------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| w+ (w+) e:|-----------------|------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------| G:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| D:|--2--------------|--(2)-------------| A:|--0--------------|--(0)-------------| E:|-----------------|------------------| H - Final Chorus (6/4 time) (2xs) W+ (W+) (W+) (W+) e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|------------------o| D:|o----------------|------------------|-------------------|------------------o| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| (guitar tacet) W+ (W) W+ (W+) e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|---2-------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|---2-------------|--(2)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|---0-------------|--(0)-------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| (W+) (w+) (q) q e:|-----------------|--------------3---| B:|-----------------|--------------3---| G:|-----------------|--------------2---| D:|-----------------|--------------2---| A:|-----------------|--------------0---| E:|-----------------|------------------| I- Outro (4/4 time) (3xs) q e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e q e:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| B:|--3--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------3----| G:|o-2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| D:|o-2--------------|------------------|-------------------|--------------2---o| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0--|--0-0-0-0-0-0-0----| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| *let chords ring q e e e e e e e e q q q e:|--3--------------|------3---3-------| B:|--3--------------|------3---3-------| G:|--2--------------|------2---2-------| D:|--2--------------|------2---2-------| A:|--0--0-0-0-0-0-0-|--0-0-0---0-------| E:|-----------------|------------------| > > Overdub I (see performance note #7) Lead-in (4/4 time) q q q q q q q q e:|-----------------|------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------| G:|-----------------|------------------| D:|---7-----7-------|---7-----7--------| A:|------0-----0----|------0-----0-----| E:|-----------------|------------------| *Palm mute throughout Chorus (6/4 time) q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-----------------|---7---7---7------|-------------------|---7---7---7-------| D:|---7---7---7-----|-----9---9---9----|---7---7---7-------|-----9---9---9-----| A:|-----0---0---0---|------------------|-----0---0---0-----|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|-----------------|---7---7----7-----|-------------------|---7---7----7------| D:|---7---7---7-----|-----9--------9---|---7---7---7-------|-----9-------------| A:|-----0---0---0---|---------10-------|-----0---0---0-----|---------10--------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| Overdub II (Guitar Solo) (4/4 time) w+ (w+) (h+)(e) s s q+ (q) H+ e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|---------8-h10-p8--|--(8)\-------------| G:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------/12~--------| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| * w/ tremolo bar (w+) (w+) (q) h+ (q+) (e) e+ (H+) e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| G:|--(12)-----------|--(12)------------|--(12)\------------|----/5--(5)--------| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| * w/ tremolo bar (see performance note #9) (w+) (w) w+ (h) h e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|----------10-------| G:|--(5)------------|--(5)~------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| w+ (w+) (w+) (w) e:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| B:|--p8~------------|--(8)-------------|--(8)--------------|--(8)--------------| G:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| D:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| A:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| E:|-----------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------| Overdub III (Solo section) (2xs) e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e:|------------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------| B:|------------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------| G:|o-------------7---|--------------7---|--------------7---|--------------7---o| D:|o-----7---5-7-----|------7---5-7-----|------7---5-7-----|------7---5-7-----o| A:|--0-0---0-------0-|--0-0---0-------0-|--0-0---0-------0-|--0-0---0-------0--| E:|------------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------| *Palm mute throughout PERFORMANCE NOTES 1. The main guitar transcription can be read through continuously, without repeating any sections. Overdubbed guitar parts are notated after the main guitar and are referenced in the main transcription. Time signature is only noted where changes occur (i.e. if a verse section in 4/4 is followed by a break that has no time signature notation, then it is in 4/4, too.) 2. The main guitar part is essentially played with a heavy, distorted sound with a de-emphasis on mid-range; this helps the chords to sound clear, while making the heavy parts rumble. This is representative of Alex Lifeson's guitar tone for the majority of Hold Your Fire. The only section where the main guitar sound changes (to a clean, chorused tone) is during the solo section for the strummed A7sus4 chords. 3. The main guitar part sounds like a combination of several guitar tracks in the studio recording, basically one guitar playing rythym with a second guitar playing the various fills. These multple parts smoothly translate to a single guitar part, although there is a bit of overlap in certain areas. Listen to the recording for examples. 4. The power chords at the very beginning sound like keyboard samples; in any case, this is how they are performed live (Alex doesn't play them on guitar). If you want to simulate these chords in lieu of a sampler, simply play A(no 3rd) and G(no 3rd). 5. For this fill, pick the natural harmonic at the 7th fret on the G string. Each time notation in paranthesis above the staff indicates a dip on the tremelo bar in rythym with the song. Start out with quarter notes and increase to shaking the bar in an eighth-note rythym. 6. In this fill, the notes are slid into by first depressing the tremelo bar and then releasing as you strike the note. Consequently, Alex uses tremelo bar all over the place in this song, from adding slight vibrato to chords to dive-bombing harmonics. The most obvious instances have been noted in the transcription, but refer to the studio recording for the more subtle examples. 7. For Overdub I, which leads into and plays throughout the chorus, the guitar utilizes a clean, chorused tone with two repeating delays. The delays must be set so that when you play a single quarter note like this: q q q q e:|-----------------------| B:|-----------------------| G:|-----------------------| D:|-----------------------| A:|--0--------------------| E:|-----------------------| > you get a repeating dotted E s E s E s E s eighth/sixteenth pattern e:|-----------------------| like this: B:|-----------------------| G:|-----------------------| D:|-----------------------| A:|--0--0-0--0-0--0-0--0--| E:|-----------------------| > Set the feedback control on the delays so that you get 2-3 repeats and mute the strings with the palm of your hand as you pick the notes. 8. For Overdub II (the actual guitar solo), use a smooth distortion tone with chorus and a long echo/reverb. Alex is obviously taking the textural approach here or he would have probably played a lot more than seven notes over 16 bars. 9. This is played by depressing the tremelo bar, striking the note and gradually releasing the bar as the note sustains for sort of an opposite dive bomb effect. TABLATURE LEGEND: | - bar line |----| |----| |o--o| repeat |o--o| |----| |----| w - whole note h - half note q - quarter note e - eighth note s - sixteenth note t - thirty-second note x - sixty-fourth note Captial lengths indicate dotted notes + indicates tied note Length notations with no information below them indicate rests Duplets, triplets, and their ilk are indicated by "---3---" and similar constructs above the note lengths > - accent h - hammer on p - pull off tr - trill b - bend r - release bend s - slide / - slide up \ - slide down ~ - vibrato t - tap (with strumming hand) x - muted, struck string + - wah pedal back o - wah pedal forward () optional note, or note held from previous articulation <> natural harmonics [] artificial (pinch) harmonics NH natural harmonics AH artificial (pinch) harmonics PM palm mute