Tab/Sheet Note Question

[zbalz]

I am looking through a magazine right now that has tab and sheet notes...just the way SD sets it up. However, there are also chord names written often above the measures. At first I assumed that it was the chord that the notes were based on but I am not too sure now. Anyone know what it may be? Heres a visual example:


Am
-----------------------------5--8--10--5
--------------------------8-------------
------------------5--7--9---------------
---------------7------------------------
-----5--7--10---------------------------
--8-------------------------------------

(what would the Am mean in this case?)

-zbalz

[MrSamson]

(Intermediate guitarist taking a stab at this)

I would say that all those notes are from the Am pentatonic scale....

[StoneDragon]

That was a pretty good stab Sir Samson... You must be getting those pentatonic scales down pretty well.

The Am is telling you what chord you are playing over.... in other words.... that particular string of notes would be played while the rest of the band plays an Am chord.