Guitar TAB question... HELP!?

Question

most songs i try to learn how to play, one by metallica for example; how a note like this (9), or (0), what does the () mean? also what does raking mean, is it a type of picking?

Answer 1

I don't do those in parenthesis, but it's just those quiet notes.  You just place your finger on it, and hardly hit the string, or just hit the fret with the same finger.

Answer 2

Ghost note.

Answer 3

The ( ) numbers could be your finger, 2 3 4 5, or the number of the chord in the song ( every song is in a particular 'key'. If you are in the [example] key of 'C', d would be # 2 and likewise up to the # 7 note of the key you're playing in ), or ( O ) could represent 'played open' for a string. Raking is simply that, raking your pick, probably upward, or it could refer to 'sliding' your pick against your strings towards the 'nut' at the end of the fret board.

PS I don't use 'Tabs'

Answer 4

The other answers are good, but there might be other explanations. Sometimes parentheses denote tied notes: notes that you plucked previously and need to continue holding. This would be true for published TAB books, but not necessarily so for internet tab. Raking can also refer to sweep picking.