MIDICraft's MIDINET CD-ROM/MIDICraft's MIDINET CD-ROM.iso/DOCS/GUITTAB.FAQ

Internet Message Format | 1994-12-29 | 18KB

Path: bloom-beacon.mit.edu!hookup!swrinde!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!qualcomm.com!jafar.qualcomm.com!kbibb
From: [e-mail] (Ken Bibb)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar.tablature,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: guitar tab Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) version 1.0b
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Date: 28 Dec 1994 14:14:02 GMT
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Archive-name: music/guitar-tab-faq
Last-modified: $Date: 1992/01/10 13:11:42 $
Version: $Revision: 1.0b $

  Your comments, additions and fixes to this list are welcome:
  please send them to Ken Bibb <[e-mail]>.

~Subject: Table of Contents
~From: Preface

Legend: + new, - deleted, ! changed, # unanswered

Introductory

  1. What newsgroups are for guitarists?
  2. Where can I get the faq?

Music Formats

  3. What kinds of notation are used in alt.guitar.tab?
  4. What is tab?
  5. How do I learn more about tab?
  6. Is there a standard ascii tab notation?
  7. How do I make tab easier to enter?

Tab Sources
  8. Where do I find the tab for this song?
  9. How do I submit tab to the tab server?
 10. Who maintains the tab server?
 11.  What magazines use tab?
 12. What books use tab?
 13. Which of these books is recommended for a beginner?
 14. Which of these books is recommended for an advanced player?

Lyrics Sources

 15. Where do I find the lyrics for this song?
 16. How do I submit lyrics to the lyric server?
 17. Who maintains the lyric server?

Music Software

 18. What kinds of music software are out there?
 19. What programs are relevant to alt.guitar.tab readers?

Getting Files

 20. What is ftp?
 21. How do I use ftp to get a file?
 22. What do I do if I don't have ftp?
 23. What is archie?
 24. How do I use archie?

Further Information

 25. What is a mailing list?
 26. How do I subscribe to a mailing list?
 27. What other newsgroups/mailing lists would I be interested in?

~Subject: ! Viewing This Article
~From: Preface

  To skip to a particular question numbered xx, use "/^F.*xx" with most
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  To skip to new or changed questions, use "/^S.*[!+]" with most pagers and
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  This article is in nn digest format.
  The nn newsreader can break digests apart into separate articles:  if it's
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  This article is treated as an outline when edited by GNU Emacs.
  Run "M-x describe-mode" to see available outline-mode commands.
  Useful commands are "C-c C-s" (show-subtree) and "M-x show-all"

  Contributer's E-Mail addresses can be found at the bottom of this article.

~Subject: + What newsgroups are for guitarists?
~From: Intro-1

  The main newsgroups are:

    rec.music.makers.guitars    general guitar topics
    rec.music.makers.bass        those long guitars with thick strings
    rec.music.makers.guitars.tab    guitar tab/lyrics/etc
    rec.music.makers        for music perform
    rec.music.compose        for music writers

  Two other newsgroups, alt.guitar and alt.guitar.tab are being phased
  out in preference to the two rmm.guitars groups.

  There are a number of other groups that might be of interest:  a few
  of them will be listed in Question 21.

~Subject: + Where can I get the faq?
~From: Intro-2

  The easiest place to get it is from alt.guitar.tab.  It will be posted
  erratically until the bugs are worked out of it, at which point it will
  be autoposted monthly.  Once it goes monthly, it will also be posted
  to news.answers (the usenet faq repository).

  If you want to anonymous ftp a copy, it will be kept at ftp.nevada.edu.

  As a matter of last resort, you can email the Keeper of the FAQ (tm) at:

    [e-mail]

~Subject: + What kinds of notation are used in alt.guitar.tab?
~From: Format-3

  The preferred format is (can you guess it?) tablature (otherwise known
  as tab).  Other formats are also found here including chord, and chord
  program format (a deviant PostScript format).

~Subject: + What is tab?
~From: Format-4


  From [e-mail]:

    Tab is short for tablature.  It's a different way of reading music
    than you may be used to: instead of each bar representing a certain
    note, they each represent a string. They are arranged so that the
    high E is represented by the top line and low E is represented by
    the lowest bar.  If the strings use an unconventional tuning, the
    tuning will usually be shown next to the lines so you can see how
    each line should be tuned.

    Unlike conventional written music, time values are very rarely
    shown in the tab. Instead, an estimate of how long it is between
        every plucked note (which is represented by the distance between the
    numbers in the tab) is commonly shown to roughly estimate timing.

    Instead of representing the time of each note on the staff, a
    number representing the fret on that string is shown.  So, for
    example:

e----------------------    -----------------------    ---0------------------
B---7------------------    ---13------------------    ---1------2-----------
G----------------------    ---13------------------    ---0--------4---------
D----------------------    -----------------------    ---2-------------2----
A----------------------    -----------------------    ---3------------------
E----------------------    -----------------------    ---0------------------

Play a note of the 7th    Play the thirteenth fret   Play a C chord, then
fret of the 2nd (B)       on the second and third    wait, play the 2nd fret
string.                   strings at the same time   on the B string quickly
                                                     followed by the 4th fret
                                                     on the 3rd string, then
                                                     wait and play the 2nd fret
                                                     on the fourth string.


    There are many other guitar techniques we all know and love.
    Usually these are explained by the author of the tablature, but
    here are some common ones:

    ----7/9-------   ----7^9r7------   ----7h9p7-------

    Slide from 7th   Bend from the     From the 7th fret,
    to 9th frets.    7th up to a 9,    hammer on to the 9th,
             then release      then pull off to the
             back to the 7th   7th.

    Of course there are tons of other techniques like tapping and pick
    sliding and whammy bar stuff, but all of that has not been
    standardized in compu-tab, magazines, or books yet (though they
        are standardized within each magazine or book, of course).

    [[e-mail] is working on a standard for ascii-tab.]


~Subject: + How do I learn more about tab?
~From: Format-5

  There are a number of places to go for more info on tab.  The easiest
  (from an Internet point-of-view) source is
  ftp.nevada.edu:/pub/guitar/WHAT.IS.TAB a file that you can
  get off of ftp.nevada.edu via anonymous ftp.  The various guitar magazines
  also usually have a page that describes tab (along with an occasional
  article).

~Subject: + Is there a standard ascii tab notation?
~From: Format-6

  There is a standard being worked on right now by [e-mail] which
  should be posted sometime soon.  It describes what tab is, and how to
  represent those guitar thangs that make traditional notation painful.

~Subject: + How do I make tab easier to enter?
~From: Format-7

  Anyone?  Anyone?  I personally use vi, I've heard of people using emacs,
  but there might be some custom programs out there...

  [e-mail] adds:  "I use emacs.  It DOES get a lot easier with
  practice."

~Subject: + Where do I find the tab for this song?
~From: Source-8

  The Internet guitar tab anonymous ftp site is ftp.nevada.edu (this is where
  you check *first* when you want some tab).  If you can't find the tab here,
  post a message which has a subject in the following format:

    Subject REQUEST: Eagles "Life in the Fast Lane"

  The word "REQUEST" makes it easy for others to see that you're requesting
  a tab file, and by including the title of the song on the subject line,
  you make it easier for others who are interested in the same song to see
  if the tab gets posted.

  If you *have* the song being requested, change the REQUEST to TAB when
  you *followup* the article.

~Subject: + 13. How do I submit tab to the tab server?
~From: Source-9

  You can submit tab for the tab server by either posting it to
  alt.guitar.tab (please start the subject line with "TAB:") or by
  sending the tab to [e-mail].  Please include at *least*
  the following information:

    the name of the file that you left in the incoming directory
    what artist recorded the song
    the name of the song
    what format the file is in (tab, chord, chordpro, etc)

~Subject: + 14. Who maintains the tab server?
~From: Source-10

  James Bender ([e-mail]) is the maintainer of the guitar tab
  ftp site.

~Subject: + What magazines use tab?
~From: Source-11

  Most guitar magazines include tab.  Among those that I have are:

    Guitar For the Practicing Musician
    Guitar Player
    Guitar School
    Guitar World
    Young Guitar (Japanese)

~Subject: + What books use tab?
~From: Source-12

  many, check a music store

~Subject: + Which of these books is recommended for a beginner?
~From: Source-13

 [e-mail] suggests: '"The Guitar Handbook" by Ralph Denyer.  It
 is published by Knopf.  When I used to give lessons, I took stuff straight
 out of the book.'

~Subject: + Which of these books is recommended for an advanced player?
~From: Source-14

 [e-mail] suggests: '"The Jazz Language" by Dan Haerle.  Published
 by studio.  This is a popular book, and should be easy to find.  Don't let
 the title scare you, it doesn't just teach jazz, it teaches theory.  A very
 good source.'

~Subject: + Where do I find the lyrics for this song?
~From: Lyrics-15

  The easiest place to look is in the CD jacket to the album.  Most albums
  come with lyrics.  If that doesn't work (for whatever reason), you can
  find lyrics through fan clubs, rock magazines, guitar magazines, and
  by listening carefully to the song.

  Some argue that the easiest way to get lyrics is off of the net.  Before
  you post to the net, check the Internet anonymous ftp lyric site,
  ftp.uwp.edu (which has lyrics to hundreds of songs).  These lyrics are
  submitted by fans who occasionally mistype the lyrics, so caution should
  be used.  If you *don't* check here first, expect flames.

  An explanation of how to use ftp is included below (Files-15).

~Subject: + How do I submit lyrics to the lyric server?
~From: Lyrics-16

  You can submit lyrics to the lyrics server by either ftp (put the new lyrics
  into the /pub/incoming directory) or by emailing the lyrics to the lyric
  server maintainer.

  If you leave a file at ftp.uwp.edu:/pub/incoming, please email Dave Datta
  ([e-mail]) and tell him the following information:

    the name of the file that you left in the incoming directory
    the artist
    the title of the song/album

  He will put the song in a directory based on artist, so it's important that
  you use the correct name of the band.

~Subject: + Who maintains the lyric server?
~From: Lyrics-17

  At this time Dave Datta ([e-mail]) is the maintainer of the lyric
  server.

~Subject: + 18. What kinds of music software are out there?
~From: Software-18

  There are all kinds of programs out there, from programs that will
  play sounds out of a computer's speaker, to software that will let
  you typeset your latest masterwork.

  Some of the related groups (comp.music, rec.music.makers) talk
  extensively about various kinds of music software.

~Subject: + 19. What programs are relevant to alt.guitar.tab readers?
~From: Software-19

  Depends on what you're trying to do.  Some noteworthy programs include:

    MusicTeX    highly capable formatting language for music
    chord        analyze chords
    chordpro    displays lyrics with chord in PostScript
    csound        music generation from MIT (?)
    guitare        analyze chords, scales, transpositions
    mixview     highly recommended music generation
    songwriter    write and print sheet music
    sox        sound file conversion utility.  must-have.

~Subject: + What is ftp?
~From: Files-20

  ftp = file transfer protocol.  it's a way of getting files across the
  Internet.  This is only available if your site has a "full connect" to
  the Internet.  Though most universities are directly connected, many
  sites have restrictions on ftp (because the system administrators don't
  think you're mature enough to handle it ;) ).

  Try using it, if it doesn't work you can always use the ftpmail interface
  (which works if you have email capabilities).

~Subject: + How do I use ftp to get a file?
~From: Files-21

  *include the ftp.nevada.edu script that was sent*

~Subject: + What do I do if I don't have ftp?
~From: Files-22

  If you don't have a direct connect, you can still ftp files (though
  you might have to wait overnight) by using ftpmail.  To find out more
  about ftpmail, email [e-mail] with a subject line of
  help as shown in the following example:

      Mail -s "help" [e-mail]

~Subject: + What is archie?
~From: Files-23

  a program that helps you find files on the net.  There are a number of
  interfaces:

  if you have a full connect to the Internet:

    telnet *archie-site*
    xarchie

  if you don't have a full connect to the Internet:

    mail *archie-email*

  (Though I have a full connect, I prefer the email method (call me weird).)

  Some values for *archie-site*:

    archie.mcgill.ca
    archie.unl.edu

  Some values for *archie-email*:

    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]

  If you've never used archie, email (or telnet or whatever) with a subject
  of help (if you're directly connecting, type help at the prompt).  A list
  of the other archie sites will be listed along with instructions on how to
  use archie.

~Subject: + How do I use archie?
~From: Files-24

  Instructions on using archie are available by sending mail to [e-mail]
  with a subject of help.  For example:

    % Mail -s "help" [e-mail]

FURTHER INFORMATION

~Subject: + What is a mailing list?
~From: Info-25

  A mailing list is like a newsgroup except it gets mailed to you.  There
  are usually two addresses: an administrative address and a reflector
  address.  Things that are sent to the reflector get mailed out to all
  of the people who are subscribed to the mailing list.  Things that are
  send to the administrative address only go to the administrator.

  Mailing lists are good if the subject is "small": like Bauhaus, IQ,
  or some other music group.  If the subject is "large" (Progressive
  Rock, for example), it's usually better to have a newsgroup.

  If, after subscribing to a mail list,  you find that your mailbox
  is overflowing with messages, there are a couple of things you can do.

    1) see if the list is available in "digest" format.  This will
       reduce the amount of incoming mail to one large message each
       day.

    2) get a mailer like elm that has a method of pre-sorting your
       mail and have it put the mail for the mailing list into a
       special mail "folder".

    3) unsubscribe from the group.

~Subject: + How do I subscribe to a mailing list?
~From: Info-26

  Like I mentioned in the previous question, there are usually two
  addresses:  an administrative address and a reflector address.  If
  you want to subscribe to the newsgroup send it to the administrative
  address.  People who send subscription requests to the reflector address
  look very foolish by cluttering up hundreds of mailboxes around the
  world with their request.

    ** DON'T BE A BOZO:  USE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ADDRESS **

  For example, if there was a Hanoi Rocks mailing list, it could be
  called: [e-mail].  The administrative address will *probably*
  be: [e-mail].  Note the addition of the -request.
  If the administrator deviates from this, the list of mailing lists
  (from the news.announce.newusers list, or from the list of musical lists)
  will include the administrative address.

~Subject: + What other newsgroups/mailing lists would I be interested in?
~From: Info-27

  The aforementioned newsgroups are a good place to start:

    alt.guitar        general guitar topics
    alt.guitar.bass        those long guitars with thick strings
    alt.guitar.tab        guitar tab/lyrics/etc
    rec.music.makers    for music perform
    rec.music.compose    for music writers

  If you check news.announce.newusers, there is a list of mail lists
  that are currently available.  There are *many* mailing lists (some of
  which aren't covered in the posts).  These mailing lists range from
  Yes and related groups to Bauhaus.  And no, [e-mail]
  does *not* like either of these groups.

CONTRIBUTORS

    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
    [e-mail]
--
[e-mail]        "Never meant to be the black sheep of the family"--IQ

--
Ken Bibb        "Somewhere along the way
[e-mail]     You exchanged your dreams for selfish pride
[e-mail]     There was a common goal
             But somehow that vision has died."
                Fates Warning--"Eleventh Hour"