Help wanted on how to write TAB

G

GeoffL

Sep 4, 2019
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#1
FWIW, I'm looking for help to produce TAB notation for my wife (who started learning bass in February). Although I play several instruments, I learned to read dots as a kid and have never paid much attention to TAB before. I've seen conflicting info on tutorials intended to help people read rather than write, added to which I'm knocking out TABs on a word-processor rather than dedicated software. So I'd appreciate pointers on writing TAB. As an example of what I'm producing right now, I've attached my version of "Gentle River" (Alison Krauss & Union Station), which is in waltz time.
Thanks for looking, Geoff
 

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#2
You entered a lot of data in a word processor program. How many key strokes did it take? The tab you generated is about as detailed as any tab can be. ( I liked the use of dollar signs on a musical score ) However, tab, when used alone, has limits. Tab is more useful, in my opinion, when it supplements standard notation.

If you are going to be generating very many charts, it might be worth your time to learn how to use MuseScore.
MuseScore is a free program which will allow you write out both standard notation and tab. Creating a chart on MuseScore will be a lot faster than a word processing program. Muse Score charts are also easily edited and corrected as you spot errors. Need to change key signature? Point and click, and the whole chart is done.

Temper my advice with "whatever makes your wife happy is best"
 
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#3
EarnestTBass said:
You entered a lot of data in a word processor program. How many key strokes did it take? The tab you generated is about as detailed as any tab can be. ( I liked the use of dollar signs on a musical score ) However, tab, when used alone, has limits. Tab is more useful, in my opinion, when it supplements standard notation.

If you are going to be generating very many charts, it might be worth your time to learn how to use MuseScore.
MuseScore is a free program which will allow you write out both standard notation and tab. Creating a chart on MuseScore will be a lot faster than a word processing program. Muse Score charts are also easily edited and corrected as you spot errors. Need to change key signature? Point and click, and the whole chart is done.

Temper my advice with "whatever makes your wife happy is best"
Click to expand...
Thanks for the help. It actually took a lot fewer keystrokes than you might think as I create boilerplates for each time signature when I first need them. I just then need to type the fret numbers as required. I added the chords as I'm trying to get my wife to get a feel for what works over each chord and eventually be able to jam. As she can't read dots, standard notation wouldn't help. However, I took a quick look at MuseScore's TAB (thanks). While it probably isn't any quicker than my word-processor, it has a rich phrasing pallette not available in a WP and its playback facility should be a massive help with timing. I suspect that you are correct and it will be worthwhile learning to use MuseScore. Thanks again, Geoff
 
#4
As the above poster, use Musescore and enter in the standard notation as you are familiar with. Use a linked staff with tab, and adjust the number up or down to the string you desire. It's easy, and it also helps her learn standard notation as well.
 
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#5
Thanks. I installed MuseScore yesterday and struggled a bit at first. It'll take me some time to get my head around it and Jan prefers what I was bashing out with a WP. That said, I've played with MuseScore to produce my take on Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" and got out something that I was pretty pleased with. (BTW, all this stuff is from first principles, so never take any TAB I might post for gospel ;)) The playback feature is great, but it's making me lazy as I no longer have to concentrate on counting to get the timing right! Another brilliant feature is that I can switch between standard notation and various TAB notations from the Instruments dialog box. So, as @74hc suggests, I can write in standard notation and quickly flip it to TAB. One advantage of this is that I get to write bass parts on the fiddle (my primary instrument) if I remember to slide everything down a line on the stave :) (Of course, I also need to pick up a bass and 'fine tune' it to make sure it actually makes sense on that instrument!)
I confess, we're grandparents fast approaching 70 and set in our ways. Jan has no desire to learn standard notation. All she wants to do is jam at picking sessions and with me at home. So I need to get her comfortable with which phrases work over what chord progressions -- and TAB is suitable for that. Jan is OK with MuseScore's simple TAB notation as its uncluttered appearance is easier to read. I can include lyrics, which is a plus for her. However, simple notation doesn't allow the same degree of timing info as my word-processor templates; but the jury's out on whether that's an issue.
Thanks again, guys. Your help is much appreciated.
Geoff
 
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#8
fretlessman71 said:
Keep in mind that those who prefer to learn from tablature generally prefer to use their ears to get the timing correct, and if you try to put that info into a TAB chart, it can often confuse and frustrate the reader.
Click to expand...
Thanks. The jury's still out as to whether the lack of clutter of the 'simple' TAB notation is worth the lack of timing info and both 'simple' and 'full' notations have their benefits.
 
#9
I've recently posted a few songs on this thread. I use a combination of standard notation and tablature with no rhythms. This way, if the reader wants to see the rhythmic breakdown of a section, the information is in the regular part; otherwise, they can just focus on the numbers to see where to put their fingers.
 
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#10
fretlessman71 said:
I've recently posted a few songs on this thread. I use a combination of standard notation and tablature with no rhythms. This way, if the reader wants to see the rhythmic breakdown of a section, the information is in the regular part; otherwise, they can just focus on the numbers to see where to put their fingers.
Click to expand...
Again thanks. For me, both systems have their benefits. For something like 'standard Bluegrass' (where the bass plays on the first and third beats of every bar) or other regular rhythm, the 'simple' TAB notation is the clear winner. Where the rhythm of the bass part is not predictable, the 'full' TAB notation is the clear winner -- particularly where the bassist doesn't know the piece well enough to not need rhythm info. That said, I also print 'simple' notation where 'full' is needed as that lets Jan choose which best meets her needs at the time.
 
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