A question about the notation

Hey everyone, does anyone know what the big X marks on this sheet mean? (The section I’ve highlighted.) It’s part of the song “Love Games.” Sorry I forgot where I downloaded this picture from—I don’t think this symbol is super common.

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Ghost notes. You can do a search for more info, but it’s basically a percussive accent rather than a fully sounded note that is created by muting the string/not fully pressing down on the fret while plucking the string. Takes some practice to get it consistent.

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Those highlighted "X"s are not ghost notes. The notes just after them are, as well as the first note in the first group of 4 16ths and 1st 2 in the last grouping. It’s almost like they’re using the large X to indicate a 16th-rest? I honestly have no idea what they are. I would have to guess that they’re not a standard part of notation…

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Slap all the strings at once, muted of course. :smiling_face: :smiling_face: :smiling_face:

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I think it’s supposed to be you damping/muting the strings with the left hand but after watching a few videos i think that notation/tab might be incorrect.

image

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In this context It’s the type of ghost notes but created by slapping the left (usually middle/ring/punky) against the fret to create a percussive tone. Stu Hamm calls it ghost double stops.

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I saw a good YT tutorial quite some time ago that featured all the different types of L/R hand percussive techniques but i can’t find it… but i found these that are pretty good.

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Thank you so much! This was super helpful! Really appreciate everyone’s kind and thoughtful answers :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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