Jeremy, Thanks for your comments. Here is the basic settings I use in Musescore. My computer with Windows XP won't run the later versions of Musescore so there may be better ways of setting things up, etc. Version 2.3.2 is the last version that will run in Windows XP.
First under Edit > Instruments
• Set up a notation staff with linked tab staff
Under Styles>General
• Set Minimum Measure Width to a higher number (26 or so) so that only four or five measure show per line
Under Styles>Text
• Set Measure Number font size to 10, color to red, and frame to circle and color red
• Set Rehearsal Mark font color to red, frame box to blue
• Set Chord Symbol to font size 10
Notation Staff Properties
• Set Scale to 120%
Tab Staff Properties
• Set Line Distance to 3.0
• Set Extra Distance Above Staff to 3.0
• Set Lines per number of guitar strings (6 in my case)
• Under Advanced Options Fret Marks
o Edit String Data to desired tuning (C6 or C6/A7 in my case)
o Set Font to MuseScore Tab Sans , and size to 15.0
o Select Number, On-lines, Broken
• Under Advanced Options Note Values
o Set size to 15
o Select None for no stems in tab
1. I add the system stave bracket from the Palette
2. If desired you can adjust the end system barlines to extend across from notation to tab staff
3. I sometimes add a Picture into the top Vertical Frame, or simply type in the Title and Composer
4. I add a Text frame below the top Vertical Frame to type in the tuning, etc. You can also use a Vertical frame for the same thing. A Vertical Frame provides easier text positioning. A Text Frame allows a frame border to be added.
5. For exporting to an image file (.png) I set the resolution to 100 dpi instead of the 300 default. This seems to give the best image size for posting here on the forum.
After getting a score looking as you want, then save it, blank, to load when beginning a new tab. Or you can load a finished tab, delete all the notes to begin a new tab, etc.
If you have Band-in-a-Box or similar software, I suggest that you make a backing track... any swing style, about 115 bpm, using the chords shown in the chart below. Playing the tab alone sounds okay, but the backing chords will really bring the arrangement to life, as always!
Jack,
Thanks so much for sharing these! I'm working on putting a number of these in my repertoire. One of the jam groups I play with does a lot of classic tunes like these, and I look forward to sharing your versions with them. I'm the only lap steel player in the group, so they (usually ) enjoy hearing me play.
Keep up the great work! I'm sure I'm just one of many who you are benefiting.
I can convert simple melodies to tablature. I need to learn how to add the harmony notes. Is there a book I can buy to learn how to? Is there some place on the internet that shows how to add the harmony notes?
In order to add harmony notes you need to know the notes that make up the chord.
For example the C chord is C,E & G.
The D chord is D, F# and A.
The G chord is G, B and D.
You also need to know where the chord position are on the neck, depending on your tuning.
Erv
Thank you Erv Niehaus. I know which notes make up a chord but I will have to learn where they are on the neck. Thank you again, I will use the chord notes and see how that works.