Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [tablature]

For question about understanding tablature notation and the use of it. The question should also be tagged with the general notation tag if the tag limit has not been reached.

Tablature is a form of graphic notation that depicts a fretboard and strings, with numerals indicating where each string should be fretted.

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What does "NC" mean?

On some tabs, I sometimes see a "NC" text on top of the tab. What does it mean ? How should it be played or interpreted ?
Julien N
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Symbols "M", "C", "D", and "P" in Guitar Tablature

I was reading a songbook by Richie Kotzen, and in the song "Shine" (which he played with Mr. Big), there's a rythm guitar part that goes like this: What do the symbols M, C, D and P mean? I'm pretty sure "M" is for "palm-mute" and "P" is for…
Rafael Almeida
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Playing Guitar Tabs on Piano?

I was wondering if anyone could possibly explain how I could somehow translate a guitar tab into notes on piano. Is there some sort of algorithm I can apply? ex: e|---------------------------------| B|---------------------------------| Riff…
jmasterx
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J.S.Bach's organ tablature notation

Is anyone familiar with some freely available guide explaining in detail how to read Bach's organ tablature notation? Apparently, Bach was very comfortable in using the tablature notation, especially in his youth, probably because it saved him a…
Kresimir
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What is this open, vertical rectangular symbol?

In Rautavaara's Second Piano Sonata, first movement, beginning 20 bars before the end, there is a tablature-like symbol. What does it mean?
The Nerdy Pianist
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Understanding a Chinese guitar tab

A Chinese friend of mine requested I learn her favourite guitar tune: http://www.yuesir.com/ipu/271.html However, I have big trouble undestanding the convention used is this tab. Could someone explain, or provide a reference, on what the different…
malina
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What does "gliss 2x" mean here?

What does "gliss 2x" mean here?
qed
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Tablature vs. standard music notation? (guitar)

Under what circumstances should I write down "TAB" (tablature) or just regular music notation or both? I know how to read and write both of them, but I'm not sure which I should use for my songs when writing them down.
manejar
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Why the difference between double and electric bass fingering?

Sheet music with tabs is provided for Charles Mingus' Haitian Fight Song. They differ from one another (obviously, or why provide two different tabs). My question, though, is, why? Note that I do not own a double/upright/acoustic bass and have never…
B. Clay Shannon-B. Crow Raven
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Is there a specific name for Sheet music that uses numbers (二胡 Èrhú Sheet Music)?

I am searching for a software program (preferably opensource but not necessarily) that can create sheet music. However since I am a beginner at my instrument I still use a simplified notation. I play an ErHu and if you look at this image you will…
Mallow
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"х" on tablature - how do I play it?

I'm learning "Last Christmas" arrangement for the acoustic guitar, and have encountered lots of notes marked as "x" in…
Silver Light
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How am I supposed to play this chord?

I've tried to play this chord a couple different ways and I have no way to play it. I tried to have my index on 10 my pinky on the 16s and my middle or ring on 14. Is there something I'm missing or are my hands just too small?
Jacob Lara
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How to mute a string and play another at the same time

I'm trying to learn this fingerstyle song on my acoustic guitar. I found a tab which I really like. The only thing I don't get are the X's in the tab. Here's a part I've taken from the tab: What does the X really mean? I thought it was to mute the…
Ruby
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How can I learn timing from a guitar tab?

When playing guitar/bass from tabs, I find that I can learn the fingering easily, but the timing is often wrong when I play with a backing track. I'm fairly noobish to music notation/tablature, but I have been playing for a long time. Simple rhythm…
Gabe Willard
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How do you play this tablature notation?

How do I play this on my guitar? A side question, is there a reference site for checking music and tablature notation?
Ted Wong
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