Tab Notation Clarification

[natedawg]

I need some help understanding the difference between some tab notations that appear to be similar, but are slightly different. I will use 4 examples and hopefully my confusion will be clear. I think some of the issue will be that everyone tabs differently and what cherry lane uses might differ from the standard at dmbtabs or what individuals submit.


Example A

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--x---
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example B

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:------
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example C

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E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--0---
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example D

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--0---
A:--0---
E:--3---

I think example C and D are straight forward, however if they mean what I think they do, it confuses me on example A and B.

D should mean you fret the E string on the 3rd fret, the G string on the 4th fret and play all 4 bottom notes with two open notes included.

C this should be played the same as the previous example except the A string is being muted. If we use the second chord of the chorus on trippin billies, this would mean the ring finger that is fretting the 3rd fret on the E string is touching the A string to mute it.

A I some times see tripping billies notated this way with 2 muted strings in it. Do you lay the finger that is closer to the nut across both strings to mute both of them. ie your ring finger the is fretting the 3rd fret on string E rests on both the A and the D string behind the pinky finger to ensure you don't accidentally mute the G string also?

B This situation confuses me the most. I see notation like this more often in tim parts. When a string is left blank, I would assume it is not played at all. This is really simple when you are finger picking, you just don't pluck that string. However when you are playing with a pick, you can't just skip a string, can you? If it was muted, it should have an x and if it was played open, it should have a 0. I am stealing a section of the Tim solo from #41 to make my point.

Code: Select all

------------------------------------8--8---------|
-8--10-12--10--8-10-10-8---8-8--10--------10--8--|
------------------------------------9--9---------|
-9--10-12--10--9-10-10-9---9-9--10--------10--9--|
-------------------------------------------------|
-------------------------------------------------|

Would the first 8 and 9 be played with the string between them muted? If so, why does it not have an x on it. I think he plays this with a pick and that is why I am confused.

I hope what I am confused on is clear and that someone can clarify it for me. If I am playing it wrong and it sounds good, its not the end of the world. But it is always nice to know how the musician plays it exactly. Sorry if this belongs in another thread.

[mlb1399]

Yeah, he is either fingerpicking or the middle string should be muted.

[Coldchillin]

Sometimes the tabbers just assume you know it's muted and don't take the time to put a "X" where it belongs.

[natedawg]

Thanks everyone. I assumed it was muted, but just wanted to make sure. It was probably a straight forward question, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't confusing it with another notation which is why my entry included all other possibilities.

[Coldchillin]

I need some help understanding the difference between some tab notations that appear to be similar, but are slightly different. I will use 4 examples and hopefully my confusion will be clear. I think some of the issue will be that everyone tabs differently and what cherry lane uses might differ from the standard at dmbtabs or what individuals submit.


Example A

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--x---
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example B

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:------
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example C

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--0---
A:--x---
E:--3---

Example D

Code: Select all

E:------
B:------
G:--4---
D:--0---
A:--0---
E:--3---

I think example C and D are straight forward, however if they mean what I think they do, it confuses me on example A and B.

D should mean you fret the E string on the 3rd fret, the G string on the 4th fret and play all 4 bottom notes with two open notes included.

C this should be played the same as the previous example except the A string is being muted. If we use the second chord of the chorus on trippin billies, this would mean the ring finger that is fretting the 3rd fret on the E string is touching the A string to mute it.

A I some times see tripping billies notated this way with 2 muted strings in it. Do you lay the finger that is closer to the nut across both strings to mute both of them. ie your ring finger the is fretting the 3rd fret on string E rests on both the A and the D string behind the pinky finger to ensure you don't accidentally mute the G string also?

B This situation confuses me the most. I see notation like this more often in tim parts. When a string is left blank, I would assume it is not played at all. This is really simple when you are finger picking, you just don't pluck that string. However when you are playing with a pick, you can't just skip a string, can you? If it was muted, it should have an x and if it was played open, it should have a 0. I am stealing a section of the Tim solo from #41 to make my point.

Code: Select all

------------------------------------8--8---------|
-8--10-12--10--8-10-10-8---8-8--10--------10--8--|
------------------------------------9--9---------|
-9--10-12--10--9-10-10-9---9-9--10--------10--9--|
-------------------------------------------------|
-------------------------------------------------|

Would the first 8 and 9 be played with the string between them muted? If so, why does it not have an x on it. I think he plays this with a pick and that is why I am confused.

I hope what I am confused on is clear and that someone can clarify it for me. If I am playing it wrong and it sounds good, its not the end of the world. But it is always nice to know how the musician plays it exactly. Sorry if this belongs in another thread.

This is a pretty impressive post for a new guy. Even used "codes" right and all!

[JustAnotherAnt]

I was just about to ask this same question lol thanks guys

[seth_southerland]

bah the lazy tabbers!