Lute Tablature ledger lines
I am using the lute tablature option for 6 course lute, but want to add letters and numbers below the stave for a 7 course and 14 course instrument. I can vary the number of lines in the tab by adding a 7th, but this is not how lute tab is written - it has the extra strings marked as ledger lines, or more usually /// marks with the letter relevant to the fret in the case of 7 or 8 coursed, or just open strings for multi course instruments. for the 11-14th courses the strings are numbered 4, 5, 6 and 7. Has anyone found how to do this and can they either explain or point me to the relevant menu that I haven't yet found? many thanks
Comments
If I understand correctly, this should work assuming you have the current version (2.1). See for instance the discussion in https://musescore.org/en/node/67261. I do believe you need to actually choose the 7-course instrument (or whatever) so the appropriate string information is set up, although there should also be a way to do this manually if you are starting with 6-course. If you continue to have trouble, please attach your score and someone should be able to get you going.
In reply to If I understand correctly,… by Marc Sabatella
Thank you - I can set up a seven line tablature, but I can't read a seven line tablature - it is too confusing. All lute tablature( except German and medieval) has 6 lines and ledger lines below for french and above for italian tablature. I cannot find an easy way to put in the ledger lines. for french, I can sort of fudge it by putting in text as lyrics, and adjusting the position, which works for a seventh, and at a pinch the 8th and the 11th to 14th, but ledger lines for the 8th 9th and 10 are tricky - a fudge with superscript forward slashes gives a very poor substitute. Bizarrely, the options for Theorbo in the picking list give a treble line, and not tab, which since the theorbo has no notes at all on the open strings in the treble clef does seem rather bizarre!
In reply to Thank you - I can set up a… by Nick Gravestock
1) About the 7-course:
You have probably add in the wizard the instrument "Lute (Tablature)" which by default is for 6-course/French Tab.
You can add of course a 7th string in Staff Properties -> Edit string data
But more simple: always in the wizard (All instruments, or Early music, or type "lute" in the search box) to choose/add:
the instrument "lute-7 course" -> then in the right column: change the staff type (French tab is the last one in the dropdown list) , see image below -> Finish
So, now, you can navigate with arrow keys into the tab and enter your score: https://musescore.org/en/handbook/tablature#enter-notes
See this example (you can keep it as a template if you want after deleting the few notes I added): 7-course.mscz
2) About Theorbo, see: https://musescore.org/en/node/166301
In reply to About Theorbo, see: https:/… by cadiz1
Thank you for your response. The 7 and 13 course links work fine.
The two links you have sent I have saved and hope that I can use them as templates.
I hadn't managed to work out how to add a seventh course to the 6 course tab. the normal 7 string template is for staff notation.
The theorbo is the same as the 13 course tab but needs a 14th course, '7' under the tab. the link you sent is fine for italian theorbo music but I am still struggle with french tab on the theorbo.
oddly the default 'theorbo' score on the drop down picking list under early music gives a treble clef line. Since the highest open string on a theorbo is B below middle C, it would be slightly more logical to default to a single bass line, though defaulting to the tab or adding that to the picking list would be even better. Can I add the 7 and 13 course lute tab options to the picking list myself? I am not sure how i would set about it.
Finally a question about fonts and size. when I print out the tab, it's small font size and choice of font means I struggle to differentiate between b and d when reading the result. I know some people have a similar problem with 'c' and 'e', and printers tab often uses r for c as easier to differentiate. Is there any prospect of either a different font for tab, and instruction how to change it, or alternatively a way to increase font size a couple of points?
In reply to Thank you for your response… by Nick Gravestock
Further to above, more playing has suddenly moved me on - the confusion was thinking that 'french 6 course' would not allow adding the extra lines - which I have now done, and explored more fully. I have also found how to alter font size! it would appear I can only alter font size in each piece, not the default setting - is this correct?
In reply to Further to above, more… by Nick Gravestock
"The two links you have sent I have saved and hope that I can use them as templates."
Absolutely, you can.
"the normal 7 string template is for staff notation."
Indeed, 7-string in the wizard is in standard notation. But as said, it is enough to change the staff type (right column/ drop-down list)
"I hadn't managed to work out how to add a seventh course to the 6 course tab."
Great. Indeed, you can in staff properties -> Edit string data for adding a seventh string.
Or, alternatively (I forgot to write this in the previous comment): you choose the "Lute/Tablature" -> Finish -> Right-click on the tab -> Staff Properties -> Change "Instrument" -> Choose "lute 7-course-> Ok.
And so, you have the tab always but for an instrument with 7 courses.
It'a another way to get the same result, no more.
But since you have already templates, no really necessary to know that :)
"I have also found how to alter font size! it would appear I can only alter font size in each piece, not the default setting - is this correct?"
Indeed, but always same idea, save your file/template with the wished setting(s), and you will never have to do it again.
Attached, the template 7 courses with the font size increased to 12 (default 10): 7-course font size 12.mscz
Edit: and template 13 courses (same 12 font size): 13-course font size 12.mscz
"The theorbo is the same as the 13 course tab but needs a 14th course, '7' under the tab. the link you sent is fine for italian theorbo music but I am still struggle with french tab on the theorbo."
Can you attach an image or pdf (excerpt) of the score in french tab you try you enter. Easier to help.
In reply to "The two links you have sent… by cadiz1
Here a sample for theorbo in French tab: Sample Theorbo french tab.mscz
And the template (same file, after removing the few entered notes): Template Theorbo French tab.mscz