How to Read Detailed Guitar Sheet Music

Reading musical notation on the guitar seem like a daunting and overwhelming task. When the music contains a high level of detail, the task becomes that much more intimidating. While it may seem difficult to read detailed sheet music for the guitar, by learning to recognize and perform a few basic techniques you will be able to quickly be able to get through any difficult piece of music you are working on for the guitar.

Instructions

How to Read Detailed Guitar Sheet Music

1. 

   Learn to recognize the notation for slides. A slide is when you pluck the first note, then slide your finger to the second note without replucking the string. Slides are marked in the music as an "S" above a line between two notes.

2. 

   Begin to recognize the notation for pull-offs. A pull-off is when you pluck the first note, while holding down the second note, then lift your finger off of the first note without replucking the string. Pull-offs are indicated in the music as a "P" above a curved line between two notes.

3. 

   Learn to recognize the notation for hammer-ons in the music. To play a hammer-on, pluck the first note before "hammering" your finger down on the second note without replucking it. Hammer-ons are notated in the music by an "H" written above a curved line.

4. 

   Begin to recognize compound hammer-ons in the notation. A compound hammer-on is when a hammer-on is followed by a pull-off. This is marked in the score by the letters "H P" written over a curved line that covers three notes.

5. 

   Learn to recognize a compound pull-off in the music. A compound pull-off is when a pull-off is followed by a hammer-on. This is marked in the music by the letters "P H" written over a curved line that covers three notes.

6. 

   Begin to recognize the upward rake in the music. An upward rake is when you use your pick, or right-hand finger, to strum the strings from the lowest note to the highest. It is marked in the score by a squiggly line with an arrow on the tip.

7. 

   Learn to recognize the downward rake in musical notation. A downward rake is the same as the upward rake, though you strum the chord from the highest note to the lowest. The notation is the same, though the arrow is now on the bottom end of the squiggly line.

8. 

   Practice reading through the following example that contains all of the techniques mentioned above. Once you can recognize and perform each technique you will be ready to tackle any detailed sheet music for guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• Reading music for the guitar every day will greatly increase your ability to read even the most detailed sheet music for the instrument.

Resources

• Resource Page for Guitar Players