Tablature Software Programs

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 7 Jan 2006 10:37 pm

I would like to have some of you to share information on the software programs that you use to do tablatures.

Would you share some of the pros and cons about the program? Or what has been your experience with it? Is it compatible for pedal and non-pedal tablatures?

Where can the software be purchased or gotten?

Any other helpful information for interested persons who want to do tabs.

Thanks,
Don

[This message was edited by Don Kona Woods on 07 January 2006 at 10:40 PM.]

Fred Amendola · Post by **Fred Amendola** » 8 Jan 2006 7:13 am

Check out TablEdit http://www.tabledit.com/
Very nice pedal steel functionality.
Write in the tab staff, and the music staff basically writes itself.
There is a demo to check out, and a viewer also, for those who do not have the fully functional program.
Inexpensive.

Hope this helps
Fred

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 9 Jan 2006 11:16 am

Thanks Fred

Anymore software programs out there?

I have become aware of Power Tabs now.

Aloha,
Don

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 10 Jan 2006 2:17 pm

Hi Don,

I use Sibelius because I am very familiar with it from standard notation and (so) I already own it. It looks great, but it is very problematic for tab: tries to put every note on the highest string possible and won't factor in pedals/levers. I have fooled around with the Tabledit demo and it seems to be a much better tool for tab, also quite a bit cheaper than Sibelius.

Dan

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Dan Beller-McKenna
Durham, NH
Dekley S-10, Telecaster, Guild D-35, Peavey Heritage VTX

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 11 Jan 2006 12:53 am

Thanks much, Dan.

I thought that there would be more persons doing tabs out there with various software programs, that would post here.

That evidently is not the case, right?

Do most play by ear and do not use tab?
Or do most play by note?

Just curious.

Don

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 11 Jan 2006 11:00 am

Very few pedal steel players play by note, unfortunately. Part of the reason: there are about 15 locations on the fretboard (w/pedals and levers) to play the exact same note. So tablature is quicker and easier. I use Both tab and notation in my lessons. Most players can at least use the notes for the timing, and the tab for the fret locations. Learning to read for PSG a long process but worth it in the end.

Tabledit is the best program on the market for PSG tab with notation. To see lots of TE samples click on My SteelTab link below.

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My Site | My SteelTab

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 11 Jan 2006 9:51 pm

Thanks Doug.

You are one more person recommending TABLEDIT.

I am supposing that it is user friendly.

Correct?

What are the pros and cons of TABLEDIT?

Aloha,

Don

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 11 Jan 2006 11:17 pm

I wouldn't say it's user friendly. It has a lot of options, a lot of settings, etc. so it can accommodate all string instruments. [This message was edited by Doug Beaumier on 11 January 2006 at 11:19 PM.]

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 12 Jan 2006 8:30 am

Don, are you asking because your playing pedal or non pedal and what about number of strings. I can give you an earful concerning Power Tab, as I am still trying to perfect it, getting closer but still working it out, lol.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 12 Jan 2006 8:43 pm

Jesse,

Thanks for the post.

Please give me a ear-full. I would like to hear about Power Tabs and how to utilize it. Your help would be appreciated.

I play only non-pedal and prefer tabs for 8 strings, but 6 strings is OK also.

Looking forward to hearing your post.

Aloha,
Don

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 13 Jan 2006 4:46 pm

Aloha Don Aikane..
I use E-Magic Logic Audio Platinum for all my sequencing and audio work..PLUS writing tab for the magazine "Aloha Dream" It's not a practical proposition now that E-Magic is no longer supporting the 'Windows" environment.

ANY tab program is going to have some sort of a learning curve, but even 'though I have plenty of free time, I just can't get to grips with TablEdit. Maybe I'm just plain dumb or want something it can't implement, but I really suggest that you get MANY varied opinions before you choose.
One thing, DON'T go for a "Cracked" version of ANY programme.. you'll have simply no back-up, and with this type of software, back-up is essential.
FWIW
Baz

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Steel players do it without fretting

[This message was edited by basilh on 13 January 2006 at 04:47 PM.]

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 13 Jan 2006 10:54 pm

Thanks Baz for your post.

Has anyone seen Jesse P. out there? Could use his input on PowerTab.

Aloha,

Don

Jesse Pearson · Post by **Jesse Pearson** » 14 Jan 2006 10:18 am

Don, I sent you an Email?

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 21 Jan 2006 1:00 pm

Jesse,

How are you coming on learning the PowerTab software program for TABS?

I just downloaded and started working on a simple Hawaiian tune.

I got the basic tune in but it needs some more work to improve it.

We might need to compare notes and ask Craig for some guidance.

Craig seems to be a PRO at this.

Good luck,
Don

J Hill · Post by **J Hill** » 22 Jan 2006 7:13 am

Don,

I have TablEdit and am not savy enough to use it. I never could figure out how to expand the measures to accomodate the notes, etc. It seems to resist what I try to do with it as far as putting notes on the score is concerned, and its not very obvious how to work around the problems. I blame myself only, but wish every day that programs like this were made user-friendly enough to make them usable for dummies like me. Good luck, and yes, there are more programs out there, I've forgotten their names, a search may bring them up.

Roy Thomson · Post by **Roy Thomson** » 22 Jan 2006 8:37 am

Tabledit works better for those with a
knowledge for reading music. Even then you have to spend some time at it. It will do most anything you want it to and the more you experiment the easier it gets. It would
be nice if someone put together a concise ten step proceedure for newbies "Getting Started".

Tabledit offers options for Font selection
and it is easy to see and read. Look at some
of Doug Beaumiers Music/Tabs that he has in these archives.

Craig does a nice job with PowerTab but it
would be easier for me to read if the Font was increased. You are limited to 7 strings?

I use ClicTab more than anything. It's not as
formal but it's quick! It will not write the
music as in the two aforementioned programs
but you can get it to print the Music Staff
above the tab so one can enter the notes
with their values by hand for the timing.
It also has Chord Finding features. It will
print your fretboard with all notes: pedals,
no pedals, combinations etc. Instantly!
It will work with any tuning or any number of
strings up to 14.

I have and use both ClicTab and Tabledit.
The music staff is helpful to me when learning a song after that it's just taking up space as I just read the tab.I think this is true with most Steel and Guitar users.

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 23 Jan 2006 11:03 pm

Thanks Roy for your helpful post.

It would be nice if someone put together a concise ten step proceedure for newbies "Getting Started".

YES YES YES

Don Kona Woods · Post by **Don Kona Woods** » 24 Jan 2006 2:59 pm

I am repeating this statement because in my previous post it was extremely small print.

Roy says,

It would be nice if someone put together a concise ten step proceedure for newbies "Getting Started".

If that is too much for one person, why could not different posters give part of the steps to consider and let it be a team effort.

Just a thought.