[Harp-L] Re: Tabs & Software

[David Fairweather <dmf273@xxxxxxxxx>]

Not sure if you can do this on the iPhone, but my preference is:
- Number within a circle = draw
- Number with no circle = blow
Bends: ' " '"
OB/OD: °
This system is clear and immediately visible.
I don't care of the arrows.

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My problem with diatonic tab is that it never adequately describes bending.  

I believe that the purpose of tab should be to convey what to DO in order to hit the right note.   But in the case of a bent note, simply saying ', or '',  or '''  may convey what you want to ACHIEVE (bend a half-step, bend two half-steps, bend three-half steps)  but it does nothing to tell the player what he has to DO at a particular hole in order to achieve that result.    

Say you're at a hole that only bends two half-steps when you arrive at a '' symbol.   The TAB isn't doing anything to let you know that "You need to bend this reed down all the way."    If you're at a hole that bends three half-steps and you arrive at that same '' symbol, the TAB isn't warning you that you need to stop bending when you reach 2/3 of the way to the bottom.

Does anyone know of a diatonic tab system that conveys this type of mechanics to let the player know what to DO at each hole?