what does this mean?

I see tab notes that are in ( )?

Is that note to be picked or ignored?

I think it means that the number inside the () like (13) is where the note is fretted but not necessarily the note that is played. For instance a bend or pre bend or vibrato.

Originally Posted by: bluesmartin65

I see tab notes that are in ( )?

Is that note to be picked or ignored?

Usually, notes are in parenthesis to indicate one of 2 options.

1. The notes are lightly muted, or not necessarily meant to be played but sometimes ring sypathetically a little anyway. Or they are played accidentally.

2. The notes are held over from a previous note.

Hope this helps!

It is hard to say in TAB as the symbols are not standardized.

A number of sources refer to ghost notes. A ghost note is a musical note with a rhythmic value, but no discernible pitch when played. It is more of a percussive accent than a note. Lightly put your finger on the string and pick it, you will get more of a click than a note. Lightly muted, as Christopher described. If you do a youtube search for ghost notes you can see a number of examples.

Here is one:

Ghost note example

-Elliot

Originally Posted by: ChristopherSchlegel

Originally Posted by: bluesmartin65

I see tab notes that are in ( )?

Is that note to be picked or ignored?

Usually, notes are in parenthesis to indicate one of 2 options.

1. The notes are lightly muted, or not necessarily meant to be played but sometimes ring sypathetically a little anyway. Or they are played accidentally.

2. The notes are held over from a previous note.

Hope this helps!

So what does it mean here?

Well, I am really good at playing notes accidently. [br][br]Thanks for your help.

Originally Posted by: bluesmartin65

Well, I am really good at playing notes accidently. [br][br]Thanks for your help.

Ha! :) You're welcome.

Originally Posted by: OnTheRopes

So what does it mean here?

That looks like a note held over from the previous measure. See the little curving arc over the note in the notation? That indicates that this note is held over from something that happened in the previous measure. I'm not 100% sure what because the previous measure is not in the image. But my educated guess is that the note was picked & bent in the previous measure & is being held into this measure.