alphaTex syntax quick reference

Short, tested examples for writing tabs and notation in alphaTex: what to type, what it looks like, and how it sounds. Search in English or Vietnamese, with or without accents.

How a note is written

For tab: fret.string

0.1 is fret 0 on string 1 (the thinnest, high E); 3.5 is fret 3 on string 5. This draws tab and suits guitar and bass.

For notation only: pitch name and octave

c4 is middle C, f#4 the F sharp above it, bb3 a B flat below. This draws notation only and suits piano and voice; start with \staff {score}.

A length such as :4 (quarter) or :8 (eighth) goes before the notes and lasts until you change it, and | ends a bar. One staff takes one kind of note only: put the other kind on its own \track.

Writing notes

Two ways to write a note
For tab, write fret.string: 0.1 is fret 0 on string 1 (the thinnest). For notation only, write the pitch name and octave: c4 is middle C. Use fret.string for guitar and bass, pitch names for piano or voice. One staff takes one kind only, so put each kind on its own \track.
Tab
```
\track "Guitar"
:4 0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 |
\track "Voice"
\staff {score}
:4 e4 c4 g3 e3 |
```
Watch out: Do not mix the two on one staff: 0.6 c4 in the same staff stops with error AT218. Start a new \track for the other kind.
A tab note: fret.string
Write the fret, a dot, then the string. Strings are numbered 1 (high E, the thinnest) to 6 (low E, the thickest). 0 is the open string, so 3.5 means fret 3 on string 5 (a C).
Tab
```
:4 0.6 3.6 0.5 2.5 | 3.5 0.4 2.4 3.4 |
```
Watch out: A string number higher than the instrument has (7 on a 6-string guitar) gives error AT208.
A note by name: pitch and octave
Write the letter and the octave number: c4 is middle C, c5 the C above it. Add # for sharp or b for flat: f#4, bb3. Pitch names give notation only (no tab), which suits piano, voice and melody lines. Put \staff {score} first so no empty tab staff is drawn.
Notation only
```
\staff {score}
:4 c4 d4 e4 f4 | g4 a4 b4 c5 |
```
Bar line
A | ends a bar. The notes of each bar must add up to the time signature (four quarter notes in 4/4). alphaTab does not check this, so count each bar yourself.
Tab
```
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
Watch out: A bar that is too long or too short imports without any error. The playback then drifts, so count the notes.
Comments (notes to yourself)
Text after // up to the end of the line is ignored, and so is anything between /* and */. Use it to mark parts of the song for yourself.
Tab
```
// Intro, play softly
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | /* bar 2 */ 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
The lone dot . is not needed
Older examples put a single . between the song details and the notes. alphaTab no longer needs it (it only shows hint AT400), so you can leave it out.
Tab
```
\title "No dot needed"
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```
Watch out: A dot after a duration, as in 0.6.4., is read as that separator and silently starts a new bar.

Rhythm and note lengths

Note lengths (durations)
Write : and a number before the notes: :1 whole, :2 half, :4 quarter, :8 eighth, :16 sixteenth (also 32 and 64). The length lasts until you change it.
Tab
```
:1 0.6 | :2 0.6 2.6 | :4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | :8 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: the length goes before the notes in the same way.
Notation only
\staff {score} :1 c4 | :2 c4 e4 | :4 c4 d4 e4 f4 | :8 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c5 |
Length written on a note
You can also add the length after the string: 0.6.2 is a half note. That length carries on to the next notes too, until you write another one.
Tab
```
0.6.2 2.6.4 3.6 | 0.5.8 2.5 3.5 2.5 0.5.2 |
```
Watch out: 0.6.2 changes the length for the notes after it as well, not only for this note.
With pitch names
With pitch names: c4.2 is a half-note C.
Notation only
\staff {score} c4.2 e4.4 g4 | c5.1 |
Dotted note
Add {d} to make a note half as long again: a dotted quarter lasts three eighths. {dd} is a double dot.
Tab
```
:4 0.6{d} :8 2.6 :2 3.6 | :4 0.5{dd} :16 2.5 :2 3.5 |
```
With pitch names
With pitch names, {d} goes right after the note: c4{d}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :4 c4{d} :8 d4 :2 e4 |
Rest (silence)
Write r where nothing is played. It takes the current length, or give one: r.8 is an eighth rest. Rests are the same for tab and pitch names.
Tab
```
:4 0.6 r 3.6 r | 0.5 r.8 2.5 :2 r |
```
Tie (hold a note on)
Write -. and the string to hold the note on that string: 3.3.2 -.3.2 sounds as one long note. In a chord, tie each string: (-.3 -.2).
Tab
```
:2 3.3 -.3 | (0.3 1.2) (-.3 -.2) | :4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | -.5.1 |
```
Watch out: 3.3.2{t} fails: {t} is a note effect, so write it before the length: 3.3{t}.2.
With pitch names
With pitch names, - does not work (error AT218). Write the note again with {t}: c4 c4{t}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :2 c4 c4{t} | e4 e4{t} |
Triplet
Add {tu 3} to each of the three notes: three triplet eighths fill one quarter note. :8 {tu 3} on its own makes every following note a triplet until the next :N.
Tab
```
:8 0.6{tu 3} 2.6{tu 3} 3.6{tu 3} :4 0.5 2.5 3.5 | :8 {tu 3} 0.4 2.4 3.4 2.4 0.4 2.4 :2 0.3 |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: c4{tu 3}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :8 c4{tu 3} d4{tu 3} e4{tu 3} :4 f4 g4 a4 |
Repeat a note quickly (*N)
Add * and a count to write the same note several times: 0.6*4 is four of them. Handy for steady eighths on a bass string.
Tab
```
:8 0.6*4 2.6*4 | 3.6*4 0.5*4 |
```
Time signature
Write \ts (3 4) for 3/4 or \ts common for 4/4. Put it at the top, or before a bar to change it there. Without it the song is in 4/4.
Tab
```
\ts (3 4)
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 | 0.5 2.5 3.5 | \ts (2 4) 0.4 2.4 |
```
Watch out: \ts 3 4 without parentheses still works but shows warning AT301. Use \ts (3 4).

Chords and strumming

Chord
Put the notes in parentheses, separated by spaces: (0.3 1.2 0.1). The length goes after the closing bracket: (0.3 1.2 0.1).2. Strings you leave out are not played.
Tab
```
:2 (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1) (0.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 0.1) | (3.6 2.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 3.1).1 |
```
Watch out: Separate the notes with spaces, not dots: (c4.e4.g4) fails with error AT202.
With pitch names
With pitch names: (c4 e4 g4) is a C major chord.
Notation only
\staff {score} :2 (c4 e4 g4) (f4 a4 c5) |
Muted string in a chord (x)
Write x instead of a fret for a string that is hit but muted: (x.6 3.5 2.4 0.3 1.2 0.1) is a C chord with the low E muted.
Tab
```
:4 (x.6 3.5 2.4 0.3 1.2 0.1) (x.6 3.5 2.4 0.3 1.2 0.1) (x.6 x.5 x.4 x.3 x.2 x.1) (x.6 3.5 2.4 0.3 1.2 0.1) |
```
Strum down / up
Add {bd} (down) or {bu} (up) to a chord to draw a strum arrow and spread the notes like a real strum. {bd 60} sets how slow the strum is.
Tab
```
:4 (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1){bd} :8 (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1){bd} (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1){bu} :4 (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1){bu} (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1){bd 60} |
```
Watch out: {sd} and {su} are pick strokes (a small sign for the pick direction), not strums.
Arpeggio (spread chord)
Add {ad} (downwards) or {au} (upwards) to a chord to roll its notes one after another.
Tab
```
:2 (0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.1){ad} (0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.1){au} |
```
Chord diagram (chord box)
Define the chord once with \chord ("C" 0 1 0 2 3 x), listing frets from the high E string down to the low E (x = not played). Then add {ch "C"} to the beat where it should appear.
Tab
```
\chord ("C" 0 1 0 2 3 x)
\chord ("G" 3 0 0 0 2 3)
:2 (0.1 1.2 0.3 2.4 3.5).2{ch "C"} (3.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 2.5 3.6).2{ch "G"} |
```
Watch out: The definition needs parentheses. On a chord, {ch} goes after the length: (…).2{ch "C"}; (…){ch "C"}.2 fails.
Barre chord diagram
After the definition, add { firstFret 2 barre 2 }: the box starts at fret 2 and a barre is drawn across fret 2.
Tab
```
\chord ("Bm" 2 3 4 4 2 x) { firstFret 2 barre 2 }
:1 (2.5 4.4 4.3 3.2 2.1).1{ch "Bm"} |
```

Techniques and effects

Where effects go: {…}
Effects go in braces. Braces right after the string hold note effects (hammer-on, bend, fingering); braces after the length hold beat effects (text, strum). Put several effects in one pair, separated by spaces: 3.5{h lf 2}.8{txt "A"}.
Tab
```
3.5{h lf 2}.8{txt "A"} 5.5.8 :4 7.3{v} 5.3{pm} 5.3{pm} |
```
Watch out: 5.3.8{h} fails (error AT205): braces after the length only take beat effects. Write 5.3{h}.8.
Hammer-on / pull-off
Add {h} to the first note: the next note sounds without picking again. It works both ways, up (hammer-on) and down (pull-off).
Tab
```
:4 5.3{h} 7.3 7.3{h} 5.3 | :8 5.3{h} 7.3 7.3{h} 5.3 :2 5.3 |
```
Watch out: Put {h} right after the string (5.3{h}), not after the length (5.3.8{h} fails).
Slide between two notes
Add {sl} to the first note for a legato slide (the second note is not picked), or {ss} for a shift slide (the second note is picked again).
Tab
```
:4 5.3{sl} 7.3 7.3{sl} 5.3 | 5.3{ss} 7.3 7.3{ss} 5.3 |
```
Slide into or out of a note
{sib} slides in from below and {sia} from above. {sod} slides out downwards and {sou} upwards. {psd} / {psu} are pick slides down / up.
Tab
```
:4 7.3{sib} 7.3{sia} 7.3{sod} 7.3{sou} | 7.6{psd} 7.6{psu} :2 r |
```
Bend
Add {b (0 4)} for a full bend (one tone) or {b (0 2)} for a half bend (one semitone). The numbers are quarter-tones: 4 = full, 2 = half, 1 = quarter.
Tab
```
:2 7.3{b (0 4)} 7.3{b (0 2)} | 8.2{b (0 4)} 8.2{b (0 1)} |
```
Watch out: The values need parentheses: {b 0 4} gives error AT303.
Bend and release, pre-bend
{b (0 4 0)} bends up and back down. {b (4 4 0)} starts already bent and releases (pre-bend and release). {b (4 4)} is a pre-bend held.
Tab
```
:4 7.3{b (0 4 0)} 7.3{b (4 4 0)} :2 7.3{b (4 4)} |
```
Bend with exact timing
{be (…)} takes pairs of position and value. Position runs from 0 to 60 across the note, value is in quarter-tones: {be (0 0 30 4 60 4)} stays flat for half the note, then bends a full tone.
Tab
```
:2 7.3{be (0 0 30 4 60 4)} 7.3{be (0 0 15 2 60 2)} |
```
Vibrato
Add {v} for a normal vibrato or {vw} for a wide one.
Tab
```
:2 7.3{v} 7.3{vw} |
```
Palm mute (P.M.)
Add {pm} to each note played with the side of the picking hand resting on the strings.
Tab
```
:8 0.6{pm} 0.6{pm} 0.6{pm} 0.6{pm} 3.6 0.6{pm} 0.6{pm} 5.6 |
```
Let ring
Add {lr} to notes that keep sounding while the next ones are played.
Tab
```
:4 0.5{lr} 2.4{lr} 2.3{lr} 1.2{lr} |
```
Dead note (x)
A dead note is a percussive hit with no pitch. Write x.6, or add {x} to a fretted note: 0.6{x}.
Tab
```
:8 0.6 x.6 0.6 x.6 3.6 0.6{x} 3.6 0.6{x} |
```
Natural harmonic
Add {nh} to a note at fret 12, 7 or 5: touch the string lightly above the fret wire instead of pressing it.
Tab
```
:4 12.3{nh} 12.2{nh} 7.3{nh} 5.3{nh} |
```
Pinch, artificial and tapped harmonics
{ph} pinch harmonic, {ah} artificial harmonic ({ah 12} names the fret), {th} tapped harmonic. Also {sh} semi and {fh} feedback.
Tab
```
:4 5.3{ph} 5.3{ah 12} 5.3{th} 5.3{sh} |
```
Staccato (short note)
Add {st} to play a note short and detached.
Tab
```
:4 0.5{st} 2.5{st} 3.5 r |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: c4{st}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :4 c4{st} e4{st} g4 r |
Accent
Add {ac} for an accented note, {hac} for a heavy accent.
Tab
```
:8 0.6{ac} 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6{hac} 0.6 0.6 0.6 |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: c4{ac}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :4 c4{ac} d4 e4{hac} f4 |
Ghost note
Add {g} for a very soft note, drawn in brackets.
Tab
```
:8 5.3 5.3{g} 7.3 5.3{g} 5.3 5.3{g} 7.3 5.3{g} |
```
Grace note
Add {gr} to a small quick note played just before the beat: 5.3{gr} 7.3. {gr ob} plays it on the beat. A grace note does not count in the bar.
Tab
```
:4 5.3{gr} 7.3 5.3 5.3{gr ob} 7.3 5.3 |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: c4{gr} d4.
Notation only
\staff {score} :4 c4{gr} d4 e4 f4 g4 |
Tremolo picking
Add {tp 16} to pick the note very fast, in sixteenths ({tp 8} and {tp 32} also work). Put it before the length: 5.3{tp 16}.2.
Tab
```
5.3{tp 16}.2 7.3{tp 16}.2 |
```
Trill
Add {tr (7 16)}: alternate quickly between this note and fret 7, in sixteenths.
Tab
```
:2 5.3{tr (7 16)} 5.3 |
```
Pick direction (down / up stroke)
Add {sd} for a downstroke and {su} for an upstroke. It only adds the small sign; for a strummed chord use {bd} / {bu}.
Tab
```
:8 5.3{sd} 7.3{su} 5.3{sd} 7.3{su} 5.3{sd} 7.3{su} 5.3{sd} 7.3{su} |
```
Finger numbers
{lf 2} names the fretting-hand finger, {rf 2} the picking-hand finger. The numbers start at the thumb: lf 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little; rf 1–5 = p i m a c.
Tab
```
:4 5.3{lf 2} 7.3{lf 4} 0.6{rf 1} 0.3{rf 2} |
```
Watch out: The numbers are shifted by one from guitar books: index is lf 2, not lf 1 (1 is the thumb).
Dynamics (loud and soft)
Add {dy p} (soft), {dy mf} (medium) or {dy ff} (very loud) to a note. The marking holds until the next one. Values: ppp pp p mp mf f ff fff.
Tab
```
:4 0.6{dy p} 2.6 3.6 0.5 | 2.5{dy ff} 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
With pitch names
Same with pitch names: c4{dy p}.
Notation only
\staff {score} :4 c4{dy p} d4 e4{dy f} f4 |

Repeats and sections

Repeat signs
Write \ro (repeat open) at the start of the first bar and \rc 2 (repeat close, play 2 times) at the start of the last bar of the part.
Tab
```
\ro :4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | \rc 2 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
Watch out: \ro or \rc 2 directly before a chord fails, because the brackets are read as its values. Write the length first (\ro :1 (…)), or \rc (2).
First and second endings
Put \ae (1) on the bar played only the first time (it also carries \rc 2), and \ae (2) on the bar played the second time. \ae (1 2) covers several passes.
Tab
```
\ro :4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
\ae (1) \rc 2 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
\ae (2) 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```
Section marker (verse, chorus)
Write \section "Verse" before a bar to label it. \section ("C" "Chorus") adds a short marker letter.
Tab
```
\section "Verse"
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
\section ("C" "Chorus")
2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
Change the tempo mid-song
Write \tempo 120 before any bar: from that bar on, the song plays at the new speed.
Tab
```
\tempo 90
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
\tempo 120
2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```

Song details

Title and artist
Put \title "…" and \artist "…" at the top. In the Write AlphaTex editor these follow the Title and Artist fields above, and the fields follow them.
Tab
```
\title "Đêm Đông"
\artist "Trịnh Công Sơn"
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```
Watch out: Always use quotes: in \title Hello World the word World is read as a drum note and fails. Write a quote inside as \".
Other song details
Also available at the top: \subtitle, \album, \words (lyricist), \music (composer), \copyright, \tab (who made the tab) and \instructions, each with text in quotes.
Tab
```
\title "Etude"
\subtitle "Exercise 1"
\music "Trad."
\tab "Thầy Minh"
\instructions "Play slowly"
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```
Tempo (speed)
\tempo 90 sets 90 beats per minute. \tempo (90 "Andante") also prints a word above the music. Without it the song plays at 120.
Tab
```
\tempo (90 "Andante")
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```
Watch out: A label needs parentheses: \tempo 90 "Andante" gives warning AT301.
Key signature
\ks gmajor gives one sharp, \ks aminor none, \ks bbmajor two flats. Write the key name in full: cmajor, f#minor and so on.
Tab
```
\ks gmajor
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 2.6 | 0.5 2.5 :2 3.5 |
```
Watch out: Short names fail: \ks am, \ks "Am" and \ks -1 all give errors. Each track keeps its own key, so repeat \ks in every track.

Tuning, capo and instrument

Tuning (drop D and others)
List the open strings from string 1 to string 6, as they sound: standard is \tuning (e4 b3 g3 d3 a2 e2), drop D is \tuning (e4 b3 g3 d3 a2 d2). Without it the guitar is in standard tuning.
Tab
```
\tuning (e4 b3 g3 d3 a2 d2)
:4 0.6 0.6 (0.6 0.5 0.4).2 |
```
Watch out: Write the sounding pitch (e4 … e2); e5 … e3 puts everything an octave too high. Always use parentheses: without them, a chord on the next line breaks the parser.
Capo
\capo 2 puts a capo on fret 2. Fret numbers stay relative to the capo, and the sound is two semitones higher.
Tab
```
\capo 2
:2 (0.5 2.4 2.3 2.2 0.1) (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1) |
```
Instrument sound
\instrument picks the playback sound: acousticguitarnylon (classical), acousticguitarsteel, electricguitarclean, piano, or a General MIDI number such as 25.
Tab
```
\instrument acousticguitarnylon
:4 0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 | (0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.1).1 |
```
Bass guitar (4 strings)
Give the four open strings with \tuning (g2 d2 a1 e1) and a bass sound with \instrument 33. String 1 is now G and string 4 the low E.
Tab
```
\track "Bass"
\tuning (g2 d2 a1 e1)
\instrument 33
:4 0.4 3.4 0.3 2.3 | 3.3 2.3 0.3 3.4 |
```

Tracks and staves

Several tracks (instruments)
Each \track "Name" starts a new part with its own notes. \track ("Electric Guitar" "E.Gt") adds a short name. Write the commands in this order: \track, \staff, \tuning, \capo, then the notes.
Tab
```
\track ("Lead Guitar" "Lead")
:4 0.1 1.1 3.1 1.1 | 0.1.1 |
\track ("Rhythm Guitar" "Rhy.")
:2 (0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.1) (0.5 2.4 2.3 1.2 0.1) | (0.6 2.5 2.4 1.3 0.2 0.1).1 |
```
Show tab, notation or both
\staff {tabs} shows tab only, \staff {score} notation only, \staff {score tabs} both. Put it right after \track.
Tab
```
\staff {tabs}
:4 0.6 2.6 3.6 0.5 | 2.5 3.5 0.4 2.4 |
```
Two voices on one staff
Write \voice before the first voice, then \voice again for the second one, bar by bar. Useful for a bass line under a melody in fingerstyle.
Tab
```
\voice :4 0.1 1.1 3.1 1.1 |
\voice :2 0.6 3.6 |
```

Lyrics and text

Lyrics under the notes
Write \lyrics "…" before the notes. Each word or syllable goes under one beat; split a word with -: Hap-py birth-day.
Tab
```
\lyrics "Hap-py birth-day to you"
:4 0.3 0.3 2.3 0.3 | :2 5.3 4.3 |
```
Lyrics on one beat
Add {lyrics "…"} to a single beat to put a word under it.
Tab
```
:4 0.3{lyrics "Hap"} 0.3{lyrics "py"} 2.3 0.3 |
```
Text above a note
Add {txt "…"} to put a short instruction above the beat, such as "Softly" or "rit.".
Tab
```
:4 0.6{txt "Nhẹ nhàng"} 2.6 3.6 0.5 |
```

Piano and voice (notation)

Piano or voice line (notation only)
Use pitch names with \instrument piano and \staff {score}. \clef G2 is the treble clef.
Notation only
```
\instrument piano
\staff {score}
\clef G2
:4 c4 e4 g4 e4 | f4 d4 :2 c4 |
```
Watch out: Fret notes and pitch names cannot share a staff (error AT218).
Sharps and flats
Add # for a sharp or b for a flat between the letter and the octave: c#4, eb4, f#4, bb3.
Notation only
```
\staff {score}
:4 c#4 eb4 f#4 bb4 |
```
Clefs (treble, bass)
\clef G2 is the treble clef, \clef F4 the bass clef and \clef C3 the alto clef. Put it right after \staff.
Notation only
```
\staff {score}
\clef F4
:4 c3 g2 e2 c2 |
```
Two staves for piano (both hands)
Inside one \track, each \staff {score} adds a staff: the first with \clef G2 for the right hand, the second with \clef F4 for the left hand.
Notation only
```
\track "Piano"
\instrument piano
\staff {score}
\clef G2
:4 c5 e5 g5 e5 |
\staff {score}
\clef F4
:2 c3 g2 |
```
Melody with lyrics for singing
A singing line is pitch names plus \lyrics, on a staff with notation only.
Notation only
```
\track "Voice"
\staff {score}
\lyrics "Twin-kle twin-kle lit-tle star"
:4 c4 c4 g4 g4 | a4 a4 :2 g4 |
```

Drums

Drum beat
Use \instrument percussion, \staff {score} and \articulation defaults, then write drums by number: 36 kick, 38 snare, 42 closed hi-hat. Hits at the same time go in brackets: (36 42).
Notation only
```
\track "Drums"
\instrument percussion
\staff {score}
\articulation defaults
:8 (36 42) 42 (38 42) 42 (36 42) (36 42) (38 42) 42 |
```
Watch out: \tuning percussion and \staff {percussion} both fail. Use \instrument percussion with \staff {score}.

Drums by name

After \articulation defaults you can write names instead of numbers: KickHit, SnareHit, HiHatClosed, HiHatOpen, CrashHighHit, RideMiddle.

Notation only

\instrument percussion
\staff {score}
\articulation defaults
:8 (KickHit CrashHighHit) HiHatClosed (SnareHit HiHatClosed) HiHatClosed KickHit HiHatOpen (SnareHit HiHatClosed) RideMiddle |

Drum numbers cheat sheet
Common numbers: 36 kick, 38 snare, 37 side stick, 42 closed hi-hat, 44 pedal hi-hat, 46 open hi-hat, 49 crash, 51 ride, 48 high tom, 45 low tom, 41 floor tom.
Notation only
```
\instrument percussion
\staff {score}
\articulation defaults
:8 (36 49) 42 (38 42) 42 36 46 (38 44) 51 | :16 48 48 45 45 41 41 41 41 :4 (36 49) :8 37 37 |
```

How a note is written

Writing notes

Two ways to write a note

A tab note: fret.string

A note by name: pitch and octave

Bar line

Comments (notes to yourself)

The lone dot . is not needed

Rhythm and note lengths

Note lengths (durations)

Length written on a note

Dotted note

Rest (silence)

Tie (hold a note on)

Triplet

Repeat a note quickly (*N)

Time signature

Chords and strumming

Chord

Muted string in a chord (x)

Strum down / up

Arpeggio (spread chord)

Chord diagram (chord box)

Barre chord diagram

Techniques and effects

Where effects go: {…}

Hammer-on / pull-off

Slide between two notes

Slide into or out of a note

Bend

Bend and release, pre-bend

Bend with exact timing

Vibrato

Palm mute (P.M.)

Let ring

Dead note (x)

Natural harmonic

Pinch, artificial and tapped harmonics

Staccato (short note)

Accent

Ghost note

Grace note

Tremolo picking

Trill

Pick direction (down / up stroke)

Finger numbers

Dynamics (loud and soft)

Repeats and sections

Repeat signs

First and second endings

Section marker (verse, chorus)

Change the tempo mid-song

Song details

Title and artist

Other song details

Tempo (speed)

Key signature

Tuning, capo and instrument

Tuning (drop D and others)

Capo

Instrument sound

Bass guitar (4 strings)

Tracks and staves

Several tracks (instruments)

Show tab, notation or both

Two voices on one staff

Lyrics and text

Lyrics under the notes

Lyrics on one beat

Text above a note

Piano and voice (notation)

Piano or voice line (notation only)

Sharps and flats

Clefs (treble, bass)

Two staves for piano (both hands)

Melody with lyrics for singing

Drums

Drum beat

Drums by name

Drum numbers cheat sheet

The lone dot `.` is not needed