In guitar tabs, what do brackets around fret numbers mean?

Question

I can't figure it out. Take, for example, the intro to "Desert Song" by My Chemical Romance.

e:|-<5>-<7>~-----------<5>-<7>~------<...

B:|----------<5>-<7>~------------<12>-...

How is that played?

Answer 1

I&#039;ve never seen anyone use &lt;&gt; in tabs before so I can&#039;t really say although I have seen ( )&#039;s before which means the note is optional.

A few beginner tabbers tend to use symbols not used in tablature to point something out.  If they&#039;re using weird symbols I wouldn&#039;t trust the tab to be accurate.