I've seen this in several tabs, and I'm confused.
How do you play a note on strings 5 and 3 without also strumming the 4th string?
For instance:
I can understand how you would play those last 2 chords (power chords? double-stops? ) if you were finger picking, but that doesn't really suit this song.
How do I do it with a pick, and not sound a note on the 4th string?
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Theres just no way to play that with a pick and not sound the D string. Ya gotta fingerpick it dude...
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Hybrid picking avoid the middle string(s). Use the pick as a downstroke on the lower note, pick the upper note with your middle or ring finger.
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Ya gotta fingerpick it dude.
Hmmm. The bar of tab that I posted is from Nugent's Cat Scratch Fever.
I wouldn't have expcected him to be fingerpicking in that song. 
But I guess if that's the only way...
*edit*
I just noticed NoteBoat's post.
Thanks. I'll have to give that a try.
I hadn't heard of that technique before.
So much to learn...
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Actually I think he's muting that string just lay your fretting finger on it so it doesn't sound.
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If the string in between the two notes is to be muted, it should be notated with an X in the tab.
Hybrid or
finger picking Muting
--- ---
--- ---
-0- -0-
--- -X-
-3- -3-
--- ---
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I completely agree with you that the D string should be shown muted, but it is very likely that was played with downstrokes, the finger fretting the note on the A string drapped over to mute the D string.
It is just a bad tab.
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Hmmm. Gotta admit, looking at it in isolation, that the hybrid picking option gets my vote. I've just tried it out using my middle finger on the 3rd string.
Best,
A :-)
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But, if I had to put money on a Nugent song, I'd say he's muting the middle string.
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