Help with guitar tabs?

Question

How would I play this:

|-------------------------------------...

|-------------------------------------...

|-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12--12-12--12--...

|-x--x--x--x--x--x--x--x---x--x---x---...

|-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10--10-10--10--...

|-------------------------------------...

Should I use a pick, or would it be easier plucking with fingers?

Also, if its better with a pick, should it be played with the up down technique or just downstrokes? And if fingers are better, do I just use two fingers to continously pluck the two strings?

And lastly, does the x mean to mute the string? If so, do i just put a finger over it?

I know these questions may seem a bit silly but I'm just a beginner ;)

Answer 1

I would play this with my thumb and index finger

The xxxx means not to play :D

Answer 2

Its hard to answer without knowing the rhythm of the song, but it looks like downpicking, with a pick, while muting the 4th string (you can mute with your 1st or 2nd finger). also try palm-muting the strings you do play with your picking-hand.

both notes are G... you could play the 12th fret on the 4th string instead of muting it, to make it a power chord.

Answer 3

I use picks, and down strokes will be just fine.  However, you can use two fingers if you want, it just doesn't have that same "rock" sound to it.

Yeah, the x means to mute the string.  I just lay the index finger on the D string while pressing on the A string, if that makes any sense.  

Answer 4

use your index finger on the 10th fret, and your ring finger (or pinky) on the 12th. and you should be able to just rest the side of you index finger on the d string so its muted. It should sound pretty cool when you get it right.

...and you shouldnt be able to hear the muted string. if you do it means you resting on it too hard.

Answer 5

The "x" does mean to MUTE the string...

I'd use 1 and 2, and touch it with 1.  

Once the center string is muted, it doesn't matter of you "strum" it or pick it... the resultant duo will be the same.