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I'm trying to learn the Twilight at the Zocalo, and I found some odd notation I havent seen before. I'm asking for what these symbols are:

  • The squiggly line between 2 notes
  • The small numbers next to notes
  • The small dashes connecting the numbers

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but the roman numerals just say to play that single note at that fret?

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1 Answer 1

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The numbers tell you which left hand finger to use (index being 1, pinky being 4 - thumb not included on guitar of course).

The Roman numerals tell you which position to play in. This is similar to which fret, as you suggest, but indicates the fret position of the left hand, not the actual note. This is done by putting a Roman numeral for the fret which the first finger (index) would be at. So, for instance, in position X (which is tenth position) an E at fret 12 would be played with the third finger. You can see this in the first of your excerpts. This makes sense: the first finger would be at fret 10, second at fret 11 and third at fret 12, when in tenth position.

The "wiggly" line denotes a glissando, more commonly known as a slide. Having said that, the example above is rather unusual, as it suggests you slide down just three frets and then switch to using a different finger! I would play this by sliding down further than the note after the slide, to fifth position, before then putting the third finger on fret 7. This has a dual benefit: it makes the switch of fingering easier to execute; it also makes the slide more obvious and expressive, as a slide over just two frets distance is a little difficult to hear.

(Thanks to @Tim for pointing out some silly errors in this answer - should be correct now...)

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    isn't it D down to B - a three fret slide? Still weird with a finger change though.If you go to position V, would your 3rd finger be on fifth fret?
    – Tim
    Jan 8, 2015 at 16:28
  • Oops! You're absolutely right, I'll correct that! And yes, I think that fingering is a bit weird. It usually makes more sense to slide from one note to another using the same finger. That's why I suggest going "too far" to fret five and then putting the 3rd finger on fret 7 (which I also got wrong and need to correct...) Thanks, @Tim... Jan 8, 2015 at 17:14
  • I thought a slur, as in a short curved line between two notes was a slide. Or a pull off. Is the squiggle more specific?
    – Tim
    Jan 8, 2015 at 17:20
  • You can use wavy or straight lines for a gliss. (although I think a straight line looks neater). If you use a slur as well, this would suggest you don't repick the note you slide to. Jan 8, 2015 at 17:24
  • I know what you're getting at with slurs though; you often see these used as an "indeterminate" slide onto or away from a note, a "scoop" or "fall", for instance. Jan 8, 2015 at 17:27

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