Some notations have precise rhythm while others give none. BeatTab is a full musical notation with both of the main elements of PITCH and RHYTHM yet looks much like standard Harp Tab. Even the DOWNBEATS and UPBEATS are clearly expressed. A simple notation for the easy licks — with precision features as needed for the more complex stuff. Don't be overpowered by the detail. Just "play simple" like Row, Row, Row Your Boat to gain clarity.
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General
Bar (or measure): Use the forward slash ( / ) - /4 5 6 5 /5 6 4 - / = 2 bars of 4 beats each.
Repeats: Use {…}} indicators, such as /{4 5 6 5 /}}} for repeating /4 5 6 5 / three times.
Hole: Hole numbers are 1,2,3 … 8,9,0 (using 0 for the 10th hole).
Rest: An ( x ) indicates a "silent" note ( 1/8 rest or stop if after note).
Modifiers: Always placed AFTER the note in the order of:
1. Pitch (direction & bending), 2. Chording (note combinations), then 3. Rhythm (durations).
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Direction of airflow: Draw holes are plain ( 3 4 ), Blows underlined ( 3 4 ).
Bend: ( ' '' ''') = single/double/triple bends (2' , 3'' , 3''' or 8') - degree of bend per context.
Dip Bend: ( ` ) = (4` or 8`) - start on bent note & swoop up to the unbent tone.
Dip Bend Down: ( v ) = (2` or 8v) - start on the unbent tone & quickly bend down per context.
Overbend: ( * ) - (6* = 6 hole overblow) (7* = 7 hole overdraw).
For slides, glisses, vibrato, etc. — see 2020 Music Notation.
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Chord: ( c ) Placed after the LOWER hole - (2c = 23 together - often with 3 a bit weaker).
Chord Smile: ( s ) After CENTER hole (3s = 234 together) - ie: play the 3 draw and “smile”.
Chord Tongue Block: ( t ) After main HIGHER note - (4t = 14 together - tongue covers 23).
Wide Tongue Block: ( T ) After main HIGHER note - (8T = 48 together - tongue covers 567).
Trill / Shake: ( = ) Placed AFTER 1st lower note - (4= is 4545).
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All notes (& rest x’s) start with a 1/8 note default duration before Modifiers are applied.
Reference Duration (BEAT): (1/4 note duration normally) - ie: The counted beats in the bar.
Default Duration: (1/8 note normally) - All unmodified notes are 1/2 the duration of the BEAT.
Extension Modifiers for Durations:
Dashes add the default duration to itself - eg: 1/8 notes become 1/4 notes - for downbeats.
Spaces add the default duration to itself - eg: 1/8 notes become 1/4 notes - for upbeats.
Periods add the default duration to itself - like a space but more visible (good for handwriting).
Commas also add a default duration - but also "sticks" adjacent notes (holes or x's) together.
Semicolons (;) are equivalent to a period+comma (seldom used but for very small durations).
Explicit swing can be shown via [hole-space-hole] eg: [2 3] per context, OR by 2,3 whereas:
A comma allows explicit swing rhythm (delayed notes) - eg: /2,23,34,45 / or /[2,2]3,3[4,4]5 /.
A comma adds about 1/3 to a preceding note duration & removes 1/3 from the next note.
As commas "stick" the two adjacent notes (holes or x's) together, they then imply [ ]'s exist.
Note that Downbeats are BEFORE commas & swung Upbeats are AFTER commas.
Spaces, Dashes, etc. all ADD 1/8 durations - (eg: /2 - - - / is 1/8 + 7 more 1/8's =8/8=1).
Spaces, Dashes, etc. all act as "placeholders" thereby allowing context durations to be applied.
Contraction Modifiers for Durations:
Square Brackets: [ ] = BEAT (duration of 1/4 note) - eg: [23] or [234] or [2343].
[23] indicates the same duration as 23 alone so [ ]'s are only needed so to clarify the grouping.
[234] would indicate a 1/8 triplet (with 3 notes played in the same duration context as the 23 alone).
[2345] being faster 1/16 notes (4 notes played in the same duration context as the 23 alone).
Or use placeholders like commas (or semicolons for "double" placeholders) or else nested [ ] brackets and even special tuplet nomenclature to enable other durations — as is explained in any of the BeatTab books.
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Also see the chapters 5 and 6 of Alpha Beat Music Notation (Alpha Beat) for a complete detail per all of the above including 1/4 and 1/2 note tuplets, bracket nesting, etc.
Alpha Beat Music Notation website