x at the end of the stem

[timmo]

As the question says.In music, why is there an x on the end of some stems instead of a dot.

[CamdenRob]

I think it's something to do with slaps and pops... could well be wrong though...

[HowieBass]

An 'x' is used to denote a ghost note, in bass playing where you play a muted note

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_note

[Dad3353]

Yes, it's a note that's played without its tonal content, such as deadening the string. A percussive sound, rather than a clear note.

[timmo]

Ok thank you. I would have been surprised if it was a slap or pop, because i was reading the notation for My Girl, Temptations. It didn`t seem to be the right context for that song

Edited October 14, 2014 by timmo

[CamdenRob]

Ghost note sounds good kinda what I meant only with bad explanation!

[Bilbo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_notes

[Dad3353]

I'd write a 'ghost' note by putting brackets around it. An 'x' would be for a 'dead' note. I don't know if there's an official line on this; some software doesn't have these nuances available, so could adopt a different approach.

[Doddy]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1413280646' post='2576566']
I'd write a 'ghost' note by putting brackets around it. An 'x' would be for a 'dead' note. I don't know if there's an official line on this; some software doesn't have these nuances available, so could adopt a different approach.
[/quote]

I don't think there is really an official line on it- I've seen ghost notes written both as an x and as a bracketed notes, although
the cross head is more common in modern charts.
It's more common on a drum part to write ghost notes as a bracketed note because cymbals and rimshots are usually
written with cross heads so it differentiates them.

[Dad3353]

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1413294496' post='2576794']
I don't think there is really an official line on it- I've seen ghost notes written both as an x and as a bracketed notes, although
the cross head is more common in modern charts.
It's more common on a drum part to write ghost notes as a bracketed note because cymbals and rimshots are usually
written with cross heads so it differentiates them.
[/quote]

Yes, I suppose that's where I get it from (I'm a drummer...). 'Ghost' notes have a slightly different definition, it seems, for bass. One never finishes with learning, eh..? [size=4] [/size]

[timmo]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1413294898' post='2576801']
One never finishes with learning, eh..?
[/quote]One hopes not. Would make for a boring life if we stopped learning