Posted by:
pharpy
(---.sip.mob.bellsouth.net)
I was trying to figure out how to convey rythm in a tab, and I think I might have figured it out, but I'd like some input. I've got two different methods, just tell me what you think.
Option #1: Above the numbers, put what kind of note is using the following letters:
T = thirtysecond note
S = sixteenth note
E = eighth note
Q = quarter note
H = half note
W = whole note
Either an asterix could be used after the letter to indicate if it was a dotted note (i.e. H* or Q*). R would be used in the number line to indicate a rest, and once again, the duration would be indicated above it.
With this, your tab might look like this:
SCARBOROUGH FAIR
3/4 time
_H___Q___H_____Q_Q*___E_Q______W____Q
-4__-4__-6____-6_5___-5_5_____-4____R
Are you going to Scarbo-rough Fair?
Option #2: Use asterix or dots to represent the smallest note length used. Using Scarborough Fair as an example again, the smallest note used is an eighth note, so each dot would represent an eighth note. Counting the number and any identifiers (blow, draw, bend, etc) as one, you would then follow the number with enough dots to indicate how long the note should be held.
The previous line would end up looking like this:
SCARBOROUGH FAIR
3/4 time
-4*** -4*_-6***_-6*_5**_-5_5*____-4*****_R*
Are___you going to__Scarbo-rough Fair?
Do you guys like either of these ideas or am I making things too complicated?