The X in Tableture

[fenster67]

i am playing Under the Bridge and i come across a cord w/ all XXXXX's in it. What does the X mean? I can't seem to find it anywhere in any tab instructions.

[ren]

Hey Fenster...

The 'x' in TAB is a dead note, or percussive click. So mute the string as you see fit and 'click' it rather than making a note. It's often used in funk to punctuate chords, or as part of a rake.

Hope that helps...

[Benoit]

Fenster, I dug up a tutorial using these dead notes for you.

Like Ren said they can be used in raking which is what this tutorial is about.

http://guitartricks.com/tutorial.php?input=405

[fenster67]

So when it is a chord,
such as this (- means don't play that string)
- -
7 X
7 X
7 X
5 X
- -

I of course, strum the first one, then mute the strings on the second one then strum it?

[ren]

Yes - you'd play one strum of a D chord, then one strum of dead (muted) notes to get a percussive sort of click instead. Easiest way to do that is to leave your hand in the D position (or shift to the next chord if you prefer) but not apply any pressure with your fretting hand, just let your fingers rest across the strings.

[hunter1801]

Just remember there is a difference between a "dead" note and a "palm muted" note. Not the same kind of muting. You don't want to hear the notes being played, you just want to hear that clicking sound, aka a dead note.