Violin Tab

• Jun 8, 2013 - 13:58

I play (more accurately own) both fiddle and mandolin. Not a lot of difference but one is fretless. Where I think of mandolin tab in terms of Fret 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, for the fiddle I think in terms of 0, 1L(ow), 1, 2L, 2, 3, 3H. In other words, rather than frets the tab would be based on the finger used for the note and their relative position.

Would there be a way to work out Violin tab using that sort of arrangement?

Thanks
wilhelm


Comments

I would most certainly enjoy that feature as well. Annotating fiddle/ violin is my primary usage of MuseScore. Are there any known workarounds in the meantime?

I'm not a violinist and have little knowledge, but I'm concerned that tablature coverage for such instruments has been overlooked.

If this is the case, can it be remedied?

Violin music already uses a standard notation to suggest possible fingering. How the note is to be pitched is determined from the string to be played, the position of the hand on the fingerboard, and the finger to stop the sting. The position of the hand is denoted by Roman numerals, and the finger with a numeral from 1 to 4 representing: 1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, and 4 = little finger. When the zero numeral is used, it can represent either an open string or the octave to be played as a harmonic. (Which to use is obvious.) Finger notation is used much more often than position notation since the position is usually self-evident depending on the note, the specified finger, what came before, and what follows. When more than one fingering is suggested, it is common for the numerals to be positioned vertically above, or sometimes below the note. However, it is up to the violinist to decide whether he/she will adopt the editor's suggestion or come up with his/her own. Having played for 55 years, I don't believe a tablature is necessary.

Do you still have an unanswered question? Please log in first to post your question.