Indicate "don't let ring" in guitar tab
In fingerstyle guitar playing it is most common to let notes ring beyond their scored duration, particularly for bass notes, (which could ring through more than a single bar.) I am working on an arrangement where this type of sustain should be avoided.
Is there any visual way to remind the player to release a note? A rest would often be usable but in this case there are notes continuing in the same voice.
Example:
Fingerpicking this pattern would normally let the initial bass F ring beyond its scored duration, (for 2 or 3 beats.) This sustain would be incorrect in this piece and the note duration should be stopped after its actual scored duration.
Comments
Not that I know of. Doesn't the stems/beams indicate it? But if it's really necessary to visualize it more, I would add the rest in another voice or explain it in a staff text.
In reply to Not that I know of. Doesn't… by kuwitt
Maybe an explanation is best, perhaps with some sort of symbol. I just thought that there might be something standard but I guess that it only applies to instruments that naturally sustain.
The stems/beams don't really indicate this because notes are often left to ring in fingerstyle guitar. That bass note would normally be left to ring for 2 or 3 beats rather than the indicated quaver. Introducing another voice can overcomplicate tab and is unexpected by readers.
I use a tiny text // on the tablature line to indicate that a note should no longer sustain.
And I place a slightly larger // above the staff to indicate the recommended release of a chord.
The symbol can be confused with the various Caesura marks, but I simply note the difference in my publications. Students easily understand.
scorster
In reply to I use a tiny text // on the… by scorster
I like that convention so I will adopt it.