[Solved] Lute Tablature
I am trying to use Musescore to create Lute tablature.
1) I only want tablature and not standard musical notation.
This is I could figure out and I now have only lines of tablature and that is solved.
2) The deviation is that i want the tablature to include rests.
There is NO way I could add rests to the tablature. It always rejects entering rests.
Unmetred tab is largely utterly useless.
So how do I insert rests and in general metre into tabs ?
I am using 4.2.1
Comments
Well, the easy way is to create the tab with a linked staff showing the standard notation. Add the rests in "the dots" and they get added into the tab. Once complete, remove the linked staff with the standard notation. (I'm a guitarist, but I haven't figured out how to actually enter music in 'only-tab' staves AT ALL. Admittedly, I haven't tried very hard :-)
In reply to Well, the easy way is to… by TheHutch
Thanks I will try your suggestion.
It is not optimum and highly irregular for musescore to work like this, but if your suggestion works, then it is the way to do it.
In reply to Thanks I will try your… by retnev
What you need to know: by default, the Lute (Tablature) in the Instruments selection is a 6-course lute. This is the only one displayed directly with the TAB.
From lutes with 7 courses, then 8, etc. up to 13 courses (it's under the section "Tenor lute" in a drop-down list), the score is first displayed in standard notation. Simply change the staff type (in the Instruments panel) via the staff type drop-down list.
Eg for a 8 courses (click the cog wheel and choose a staff type, eg TAB French)
![lute.jpg]( "lute.jpg")
Unmetred tab is largely utterly useless. So how do I insert rests and in general metre into tabs ?"
There is a way: Right-click the TAB staff -> Staff/Part Properties -> Advanced Style properties -> Note values -> Tick "Show rests"
In reply to *"There is NO way I could… by cadiz1
Thank you VERY much for this.
Enabling rests were so nested I would never have found it.
I now have rests in my tab. Great !
Though I'm not well acquainted with Lute tablature I do use MuseScore to write tablature for many instruments.
After posting I saw that @cadiz1 provided similar advice to mine below:
Experiment with Staff Properties>Advanced Properties>Note Values>Show Rests. With the Show Rests property checked MuseScore should show the standard rhythmic symbol for rests, which might achieve your goal or bring you a step closer. (I think a proper Lute rest shows the rhythm symbol without a notehead.)
Would be helpful to see the score you're working on ... or a score that serves as an example.
NOTE: I don't know how you'd enter a rest symbol directly, but you can enter a note (of the time value you want) and then delete it, thus creating the rest.
In reply to Though I'm not well… by scorster
" I don't know how you'd enter a rest symbol directly, but you can enter a note (of the time value you want) and then delete it, thus creating the rest."
No, there is a shortcut for enter the rests in TAB: the semicolon.
In reply to " I don't know how you'd… by cadiz1
Thanks! Great to know about the semicolon keystroke for entering rest directly on the tablature staff.
I usually write in treble clef and use linked staves, and I handle all the rhythmic details in the 8vb staff. Having no need for tablature staff rest entry I had not discovered the semicolon shortcut. Much appreciated information!
In reply to Thanks! Great to know about… by scorster
Point 6. : https://musescore.org/en/handbook/4/entering-and-editing-tablature-nota… 😉
In reply to Point .6 : https://musescore… by cadiz1
Right there ... in the official word!
In reply to " I don't know how you'd… by cadiz1
This would be nice if I could get it working.
Unfortunately the semicolon shortcut does absolute nothing for me.
Is there a special procedure differing from normal rest entry on e.g. grand staff ?
In reply to This would be nice if I… by retnev
"Is there a special procedure differing from normal rest entry on e.g. grand staff ?"
No, but the display of rests can be different depending if the "Note Values" are shown as : None/Note symbols/ Stems and beams
Could you attach your score to check your settings?
EDIT: What might also be useful is to know (or see an image of) the lute piece you want to input.
Unless you're composing?
In reply to Though I'm not well… by scorster
related post: https://musescore.org/en/node/334855
Thanks all for helping out.
The problem is solved, and I have a great working environment now.
The only thing that refuses to work is the semicolon-thing as suggested.
That just dont work, but at this stage I dont miss it and I can work normally.
Thanks all for helping, this closes my thread regarding this issue.