How to Read Legato Slides on Guitar Tabs

You can perform a legato slide on the guitar to achieve a smooth transition between notes without a noticeable break. In a legato slide, you only pluck the string once to achieve the entire slide. Legato slides are indicated by an upward arc and a slash on a guitar tab. The letters "sl" may also be noted under the notations below the guitar tab.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Identify a slide by looking for an arc over two fret notations and a forward or backward slash between the two notations on the guitar tab.

2. Press your finger on the indicated string and fret indicated before the slash. If there is a forward slash between a "3" and "5" on the first line of the guitar tab, you will slide your finger from the third fret up to the fifth fret on the E string.

3. Pluck the string to achieve the desired sound.

4. Slide your finger up or down to the fret that's after the slash. Slide your finger up if a forward slash is used, or down for a backslash.

5. Maintain steady pressure on the string as you slide your finger up or down the fret board.