Author Topic: New board for Easy Reeding! (Read 11843 times)

SlideMeister · « **on:** February 05, 2009, 11:25:19 AM »

I'm embarrassed for not having thought of this one my self. I guess it's a sign of my being an ear player; BUT THAT DOESN'T EXCUSE THE REST OF YOU GUYS FOR NOT SUGGESTING IT!

and thanks to new member, Dorbi for bringing it up. (remember good suggestions are rewarded with SlideMeister brownie points which transelate into rank changes) Ha Ha! let's see how well this board goes.

Ziggy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2009, 12:15:29 PM »

I have never seen a standard for chromatic tab.
With diatonic there is a number representing the hole and an arrow showing wind direction.

How would you represent the slide action?
In Harping! they use the # symbol to show slide in.
Ziggy

Grizzly · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2009, 12:49:54 PM »

Check this out for the National Harmonica League's standards for chromatic tab:

http://harmonica.co.uk/supertab.htm

I feel compelled to reproduce here a statement from that page:

"Please remember that TAB is not a substitute for learning to read music. It is a simple system which has to be supplemented by a good ear as only limited information on the timing, rhythm and intensity of the notes can be given. When you have learned to read music you will be able to play written music which you have never heard. For this reason we will always provide both written music and TAB."

Tom

Ziggy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:02:33 PM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 05, 2009, 12:49:54 PM

Check this out for the National Harmonica League's standards for chromatic tab:

http://harmonica.co.uk/supertab.htm
Tom

The downside is the font has to be installed on every computer in order to write the tab.

I think it is easier to download Harping! and build the tabs yourself.
If you purchase the software ($20) you will also be able to print out the tab.

Then we could utilize SlideMeister to post MIDI files to share.

Another concern with tabs... is there a copywrite issue?
Ziggy

BTW. I have never seen any tabs for the chromatic that use this system.

dorbi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:41:30 PM »

Hello,
Tab is the best means which I found to encourage the beginners!

I post tab and an example then everyone can post his version
It's seem me very enriching no?!

a+

EHW · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:51:34 PM »

The Myriad program Harmony Assistant (and I believe the lower priced Melody Assistant) gives a selection of several styles of chromatic tabs. I use the hole number with a + or - above it for blow/draw and a circle around the number for slide in. I have the tabs line appear below the music staff and above the lyrics if any. The program automatically generates the tabs but gives you some control of which of the two Cs to use at octave break and of the B# and E# by simply removing a "reed" from the virtual harmonica that is part of the tab selection section.

Been using Harmony from its early days and have many tabbed scores made from midi files or copied from music books.

Earl

Danny G · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:39:28 PM »

An antique Hohner ad I got as a gift

mmolino54 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:42:10 PM »

When I first started playing diatonic, I came across this website:
http://www.harptabs.com

You can do a search and just change the "Harmonica Type" to "Chromatic" and it will bring up chromatic tab for more than 100 songs:
http://www.harptabs.com/searchsong.php

Similar to what others posted, the system uses "+" for blow notes and "-" for draw notes, but it uses "<" to indicate pushing the button in (e.g., "<-6" would be 6 draw with the button pressed in).

Quality of the tabs varies greatly, but it's an interesting resource. At first, it helped me practice a lot because they were so many popular songs I could try but I think it slowed down my progress as I relied too much on tab and not enough on my own ears the first year of playing.

Is the idea to post individual tabs as threads on this particular board?

-Marc

SlideMeister · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2009, 09:14:27 PM »

Since I'm the world's formost music reading "numbnut," I don't know know what would or would not constitute a copyrite infraction. Seems to me though, that tabs is all but useless for the rest of the music like time, pauses, rests and stuff and the player has to already pretty much know how the number goes in the first place in order to make any sense of it, no?

One could play all the correct notes, but without an idea how the number goes, the end product might still make no sense. So I'm guessing tabs shouldn't cause us any trouble. But, if anyone knows for sure, please let me know and we'll pull the plug on this board. Okay?

@ge

Ziggy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2009, 10:36:06 PM »

You're right about the tabs. Thats why I like Harping! because you get to hear the MIDI file while you learn.

The reason I brought the copyright issue up, is guitar tabs were having some problems a few years ago. Seems the manufactures of Tab books got pissie about the on-line freebie sites.
I do not know how or if it was ever resolved.
Ziggy

dorbi · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2009, 05:42:29 AM »

Hello

I'm agree, Harping or melody assitant is easier so I think we can modify this board
You would can post a midi file (for have tab) and with you post your version
Then other member can post their version if they want

Tab isn't copyright infraction if don't copy from a book so you must use your ears for make it

a+

rgn39 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2009, 06:38:43 AM »

I just add tabs to my Band In a Box files in the lyrics line below the standard notation. Then I just play along with the notes to get the phrasing, rests, etc. When I know the song I mute the melody and play with the background.

Grizzly · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2009, 11:25:35 AM »

Quote from: rgn39 on February 06, 2009, 06:38:43 AM

I just add tabs to my Band In a Box files in the lyrics line below the standard notation. Then I just play along with the notes to get the phrasing, rests, etc. When I know the song I mute the melody and play with the background.

I can't help thinking that you're relying on two different notation systems at the same time. While tablature can be a visual cue for hole placement, slide direction and breathing, learning note placement on the harmonica is an absolute requirement to reading standard music notation. If you know the names of each note that is produced in each hole of the harmonica, and learn the names of the notes and their placement on the musical staff, tablature becomes redundant.

On paper, tablature is an unreliable and incomplete source of information on its own. Only when combined with standard musical notation does it have any relevance.

I'll bet that by the time you mute the melody, you have the tune memorized, and don't need either notation.

Tom

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2009, 11:55:28 AM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 11:25:35 AM

If you know the names of each note that is produced in each hole of the harmonica, and learn the names of the notes and their placement on the musical staff, tablature becomes redundant.

One word: Enharmonics.
G

Grizzly · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2009, 12:41:55 PM »

Quote from: Gnarly He Man on February 06, 2009, 11:55:28 AM

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 11:25:35 AM
If you know the names of each note that is produced in each hole of the harmonica, and learn the names of the notes and their placement on the musical staff, tablature becomes redundant.
One word: Enharmonics.
G

They're just different "fingerings" for the same notes; I use them all the time. Your E# is my alternate F; sometimes the draw F is my alternate F. Mechanically, the draw C is a B#, but that note is very rare. I think of it as just another C.

I don't need tablature to tell me which ones to use. They are choices I make to accommodate breathing or phrasing.

And every note has its enharmonic. One key's D# is another key's Eb. Same note, same hole, same breath, different scale. One of the essentials in reading music is to "know the names of each note that is produced in each hole of the harmonica…" Names, plural.

Tom

Ziggy · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2009, 01:22:05 PM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 11:25:35 AM

Quote from: rgn39 on February 06, 2009, 06:38:43 AM
I just add tabs to my Band In a Box files in the lyrics line below the standard notation. Then I just play along with the notes to get the phrasing, rests, etc. When I know the song I mute the melody and play with the background.
I can't help thinking that you're relying on two different notation systems at the same time. While tabulate can be a visual cue for hole placement, slide direction and breathing, learning note placement on the harmonica is an absolute requirement to reading standard music notation. If you know the names of each note that is produced in each hole of the harmonica, and learn the names of the notes and their placement on the musical staff, tablature becomes redundant.

On paper, tablature is an unreliable and incomplete source of information on its own. Only when combined with standard musical notation does it have any relevance.

I'll bet that by the time you mute the melody, you have the tune memorized, and don't need either notation.

Tom

But the idea for this board is New board for Easy Reeding!

My guess is that the vast majority of harmonica players, like guitar players, do not read music, and tab is an easy way to learn songs they like. And, if they like the song they already know the tune so Tab will work just fine.

In an ideal world we would all read music. I can, but I'm not very good at it and it makes playing more laborious than fun.

With MIDI files and tab generated by software like Harping! anyone can learn songs quickly. And that is what makes it fun.
Ziggy

PS. My wife is an accomplished pianist & cellist. She sight reads with great ease. But without sheet music in front of her she can't even play 'Chop Sticks." She thinks I'm a musical genius.

Grizzly · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2009, 01:38:37 PM »

Sorry, Ziggy, you're right. I'll climb off my soapbox now.

Loved your PS. You are a musical genius! I don't know how to teach someone to play by ear.

Tom

Ziggy · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2009, 01:48:15 PM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 01:38:37 PM

Loved your PS. You are a musical genius! I don't know how to teach someone to play by ear.
Tom

Noooo, I'm not! I do not play much by ear. Almost everything I learned, about 300 songs, was through Harping!
Ziggy

Grizzly · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:01:06 PM »

Well, one of the disadvantages I find with reading is I'm lazy about memorization (especially words). You may not play by ear, but you memorize. Three hundred songs. I'm impressed.

Tom

Ziggy · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2009, 04:31:45 PM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 03:01:06 PM

Well, one of the disadvantages I find with reading is I'm lazy about memorization (especially words). You may not play by ear, but you memorize. Three hundred songs. I'm impressed.
Tom

Oops... sorry, thats a typo!
That should read 200 songs.

Some are short, like themes from TV shows and most are repetitive.
Pop songs aren't like classical music, once youlearn the first half, the second half isn't much different.

I've been working on Rhapsody in Blue on and off for four years. No end in sight!
Ziggy

rgn39 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2009, 05:11:37 PM »

Quote from: Grizzly on February 06, 2009, 11:25:35 AM

I'll bet that by the time you mute the melody, you have the tune memorized, and don't need either notation.

Tom

Dont know if youre familiar with how BIAB works but the notes scroll along as you are playing and each note lites up as it occurs. By the time I mute the melody I have a good idea of the timing but I seldom have memorized the tune completely. I can look at the tabs and still see the notes lighting up at the same time. Its actually pretty easy once you get used to it. Dont get me wrong, I certainly think its wise to learn to read music if you have lots of time left.

Grizzly · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2009, 05:14:12 PM »

Tough piece, Ziggy!

There can be a lot of repetition in classical music, too, especially dance-based ones like minuets and gavottes.

Two hundred is still impressive.

Tom

awfreak · « **Reply #22 on:** February 07, 2009, 01:35:34 AM »

hi, well i'll jump in anyway and ask---

does anyone have MIDI, TAB or ABC files for KLEZMER MUSIC !!!

also known as Yiddish, Jewish, Russian Folk, Gypsy..... basically, traditionally called Klezmer, made more popular through wartime movies (music of "ghetto" area Jewish music (fiddle, accordion, harp)

a lot of wedding music (dance), but i am partial to the slower more melancholy style.

anyway, any would be of assistance... (or some instructional... I found some Klezmer sourcebooks, but only use music notation for various instruments, and sadly, not something I am learning.)

thanks kindly

(ps, dont think midi and ABC are any worries to post as there are a number of popular site with them available to download -- of course, none of the above type....er....)

night all

jim

Ziggy · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2009, 02:00:20 AM »

Do you have any song titles?
Ziggy

awfreak · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2009, 02:02:54 AM »

fraid not... just found out the style was called Klezmer... after typing Jewish, Russian, Yiddish etc... for a few days !

im not familiar enough with it to know titles, just that i like hearing it when i do.. you know?

i found ONE that was listed as Irish Klezmer (doesnt make sense) but punched the ABC into the program and the C 8 and 10 hole chrom took it nicely !

thanks

jim

mmolino54 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2009, 11:22:51 AM »

awfreak,
this site might help:
http://www.manchesterklezmer.org/pages/repertoire.html

google "Klezmer music theory" or "Klezmer music midis"

awfreak · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2009, 12:04:08 PM »

Hey, thanks.
with a little working, i can take the midi files (which are two line piano), and get the TAB for chromatic from it !!

thanks kindly

mikeboy · « **Reply #27 on:** February 07, 2009, 12:05:20 PM »

Quote from: awfreak on February 07, 2009, 02:02:54 AM

fraid not... just found out the style was called Klezmer... after typing Jewish, Russian, Yiddish etc... for a few days !

im not familiar enough with it to know titles, just that i like hearing it when i do.. you know?

i found ONE that was listed as Irish Klezmer (doesnt make sense) but punched the ABC into the program and the C 8 and 10 hole chrom took it nicely !

thanks

jim

There are literally hundreds of links for anything Klezmer on google. Here's a good one.

http://www.klezmershack.com/

Also lots of examples on You Tube. Here's one with Itzhak Perlman

llumagsara · « **Reply #28 on:** February 07, 2009, 12:50:25 PM »

Quote from: awfreak on February 07, 2009, 01:35:34 AM

does anyone have MIDI, TAB or ABC files for KLEZMER MUSIC !!!

hello Jim

here are some
http://trillian.mit.edu/~jc/music/abc/Contra/KC/klezmer/

good health

Agustín

Ziggy · « **Reply #29 on:** February 07, 2009, 12:53:18 PM »

Quote from: awfreak on February 07, 2009, 12:04:08 PM

Hey, thanks.
with a little working, i can take the midi files (which are two line piano), and get the TAB for chromatic from it !!
thanks kindly

If you are working with Harping!
Go to the mixer that you'll find in the "View" menu. there you can select the specific part you want to play.
Although, some piano parts show both hands in the same track.

Ziggy