Guitar Bends (RSL / Rockschool notation)

• Aug 15, 2023 - 20:26

I know there are multiple posts regarding guitar string bending notation (including my own from 2 years ago https://musescore.org/en/node/320735), but I wanted to make a specific request so that Musescore is able to feature the string bend notation used in RSL / Rockschool material - which is widely used by guitar tutors in the UK. This would be very helpful to have in Musescore for consistency when preparing exercises for students studying the RSL syllabus (which is a lot of what I use Musescore for!).
See attached RSL string bend notation image.

  • Standard notation simply shows the notes as they sound, joined by a slur. This is easy to implement!
  • Tab notation shows the fret initially played, then a BU (bend up) or BD (bend down) symbol, followed by the fret of the note as it sounds in brackets.
  • Pre-bends are handled in the same way (see the attached full notation reference sheet, bottom left).
  • This system can also easily handle 'held bends' while other notes are played on a different string.
  • Quarter tone bends are a form of articulation or ornamentation of a note rather than a complete change of note, and so are notated in the way that Musescore currently handles bends, with a curved line indicating a slight bend-up of the note.

The standard notation can be read by any instrument if necessary - and actually shows the heard pitch of the bent note, something the current system crucially does not show. The tab notation is clear and does not need any special symbols for whole tone, half tone, one and a half tone bends, as the 'heard' fret is simply used to indicate the required pitch.

It seems eminently simple and easy to use and implement to me... comments welcome!


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