Re: [Harp-L] Tabs & Software

[Elizabeth Hess <TinLizzie2010@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jan 17, 2010, at 4:46 AM, Tino Heth wrote:

> Hello everybody!
>
> I'm currently working on a little tab database for the iPhone.
> I don't want to do much advertising here, so if someone wants to know 
> more,
> take a look at http://bluenotes.t-no.de/index.html.en
> The reason for this post is that I want to get some feedback about 
> useful features
> and the preferences of other players.
> One important question for me is how to display tabs, as there seems 
> to be no real
> standard:
> I know a system using arrows (which is hard to read, and even harder 
> to typeset),
> and then there are many variants looking like "4 4 -4 4" or "+4 +4 4 
> +4".
> The problem with the second system is that there is no natural way of 
> denoting
> bends or overblows, so I'd like to hear about established ways to 
> indicate the use
> of such techniques.
>
> I guess textual representation of notes ("C C C# C") are not very 
> attractive for most
> of you - but, of course, there is still the graphical, staff-based 
> approach... just tell
> what you prefer.
>
> There are plenty of other things I'm thinking of - but most topics 
> might be to special for
> a discusion on the whole list, so feel free to contact me directly if 
> you have some comments:
> - lyrics (line-based vs. note-based)
> - build-in synthesizer
> - links to audio files in iTunes
> - rating of existing file formats (MIDI, ABC, MusicXML)
> - importance of editing/creation-capabilities and ways how to handle 
> those
> - ...
>
> Greetings,
> Tino


I got this from Jimi Lee and like it very much.  I use it when sharing 
tab with others and when tabbing things out for myself, but have never 
seen it in any publication.  I don't know if Jimi invented it or not.  
The intro paragraph is my own.

Elizabeth




HARP TAB SYMBOLS

There are several different systems of harp tab in circulation. This 
method has the advantage that it lends itself well to typing and is 
relatively fast to write. The principal feature is that since we draw a 
lot when we play harp, a number by itself means that we draw on that 
chamber.  When writing tab by hand, it is faster to use the apostrophe 
character, rather than asterisks, to denote bends.   When typing, it 
makes for better readability if you put TWO spaces between each tabbed 
note, e.g. 2  4+  3*  2  rather than 2 4+ 3* 2.


2 = 2 Draw
+ = Blow, ie. 2+ = 2 Blow
* = Half Step Bend
** = Whole Step Bend
*** = Step and a Half Bend…    (Chamber 3 only)

+* = Blow Half Step Bend
+** = Blow Whole Step Bend…   (Chamber 10 only)

34~ = Shake or Warble
123 = Draw Chord
123+ = Blow Chord
~3 = Swoop or bend up to 3
14+ = Blow Octave
14 = Draw Octave
36+ = Blow Octave
37 = Draw Octave

+# = Over Blow
# = Over Draw