Guitar Tricks, Techniques & Tips

BEND:

A Bend is a guitar trick accomplished by playing a note then bending the string with the playing finger until the next note is heared. Bends can be half step, whole step, one and a half step, or two step bends.


BEND/RELEASE:
A Bend/Release is a guitar trick accomplished by bending a note and releasing the bend, thereby going back to the original note.


HAMMER-ON:
A Hammer-on is a guitar trick accomplished by playing a note then plucking a higher note through hammering the same string at  a higher fret.


PULL-OFF:

A Pull-off is a guitar trick accomplished by plucking a note then playing a lower note through pull the same string at a lower fret.

A Pull-off is effectively the "opposite" of a Hammer-on


SLIDE:

A Slide is a guitar trick accomplished by fretting a note or notes and then moving or sliding through the same strings to another fret without releasing your finger or fingers and keeping the pressure on the string or strings.


VIBRATO:

A Vibrato is a guitar technique done by repeatedly bending the string to increase the pitch up slightly, and then letting it return back down to the original pitch.


TAPPING:

A Tapping is a guitar technique done by a tap on a string using the index or middle finger.

Tab symbol is T


NATURAL HARMONIC:

A Natural Harmonic is a guitar technique done by touching the string lightly over the fret bar then followed by a pluck.

Tab symbol is N.H.


PINCH HARMONIC:

A Pinch Harmonic is a guitar technique done by a pick on the string, then touching the string with the edge of the thumb.

Tab symbol is P.H.


PALM MUTE:

A Palm Mute is a guitar technique done by touching the string slightly with the palm of the hand.

Tab symbol is P.M.

CAMPING, SAILING, MARINES, SCOUT, TRAVEL: Useful knots, splices, ties, clinches, hitches, bends, nooses, loops, rope works

OVERHAND KNOT

- used for fastening the ends of yarns, strands, ropes, cables, wires, etc.


FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT

- forms an end larger than an overhand knot but has almost similar purpose.


SQUARE KNOT or REEF KNOT

- most widely used, all-around, multi-purpose knot

- very strong knot and yet easy to tie and untie, never slips or jams

- not reliable if used on two ropes of different sizes



OPEN-HAND KNOT

- used for joining two ropes of unequal size or diameter

- quick and easily tied yet never slips



FISHERMAN'S KNOT

- an important knot for anglers and valueble knot for fishermen

- strongest way of fastening thin or fine lines



ORDINARY KNOT

- used for fastening heavy ropes

- easy to make yet very strong and does not slip

- does not strain fibres of the rope

- ropes joined will fall on the same line



WEAVER'S KNOT

- for joining small lines, or twine

- best for joining threads



GARRICK BEND

- best knot for joining two heavy or stiff ropes or hawsers



LARK'S HEAD

- used for fastening a boat or other object where it can be released quickly

- released by pulling out the toggle



SLIPPERY HITCH

- easily made and quickly unfastened by just pulling the free end





TWO HALF-HITCHES

- quick tieing around a post, log, or timber

- holds without loosening, and can stand large strain without slipping

- works even on a smooth, round stick or spar




CLOVE HITCH

- similar purpose as the Two Half-Hitches but more secure

- two half-hitches in opposite directions alongside each other

- also called Builders' Hitch




CONSTRICTOR KNOT

- is an effective binding knot that holds fast on a smooth timber, or a slippery spile

- frequently used by builders for fastening the stageing to the upright posts

- useful in making a tow-line fast to a wet spar, or timber

- similar to a Clover Hitch but with one end passed under the other, forming an Overhand knot

- also called Gunner's Knot




TIMBER HITCH

- used for securing a plank or a spar to be hoisted, hauled or towed




CHAIN HITCH

- very strong method of fastening a line to a timber, a log, or a larger rope for hauling or towing



ROLLING HITCH

- modified version of clove hitch

- best when the object lies parallel to the direction of strain

- best when suspending something on a vertical pole

- best knot for suspending something from the yacht shrouds




MAGNUS HITCH

- often used on shipboard for holding spars




STUDDING-SAIL BEND

- often used on shipboard for holding spars(wooden or metal poles, such as a boom, yard, or bowsprit, used to support sails and rigging)



ROBAND HITCH

- used when a tackle, hook, ring, or another rope must be fastened to a beam by the same rope being used




MIDSHIPMAN'S HITCH

- used for securing the end of a greasy rope to a hook

- half-hitch around the standing part and two round turns above it






CATSPAW

- useful for hoisting with a hook

- made by twisting two loops and then inserting the two small "eyes" into the hook




FISHERMAN'S HITCH

- used in making large hawsers (thick cable or rope used in mooring or towing a ship)

- used to fasten a line to a ring or fixed object

- also called Anchor bend




SHEEPSHANK

- used to temporarily shorten a rope

- used to bypass a weak point in a rope




BOW-LINE

- an excellent multipurpose, multiple application knot

- never slips, jams, or fails

- easily and quickly untied




BOWLINE ON A BIGHT

- very useful in slinging casks or barrels

- used to form a seat for people to be hoisted up or to be lowered down




RUNNING BOWLINE

- a bow-line with the end passed through the loop, thus forming a slip knot