Rhythm slash notation
A notation in which the beats of a guitar part are written as slashes instead of individual notes, leaving the player free to choose a rhythm.
Slash notation is used in jazz and commercial charts where the harmony and the feel are fixed but the exact strumming is left to the performer. A row of slashes across a bar means play something appropriate in that bar, usually with the chord symbol printed above, and the arrangement relies on the player's judgement and knowledge of the style. It is the written counterpart of comping, and reading it well is a mark of an experienced rhythm player.
Example: A band chart showing chord symbols above bars of slashes asks the guitarist to choose their own comping pattern.
See also
Related
- PageComping
- PageStrumming pattern
- PageAccidental
- PageBar
- PageBend notation
- PageAaron Dessner
- PageAce Frehley
- PageAd-Rock