Newsgroups: alt.guitar.tab,news.answers,rec.music.makers.guitar.tablature Path: rzsun2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de!Sirius.dfn.de!darwin.sura.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!ucselx!crash!jester From: jester@crash.cts.com (Ken Bibb) Subject: alt.guitar.tab Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) version 1.0b Reply-To: Ken Bibb Organization: CTS Network Services (crash, ctsnet), El Cajon, CA Date: 9 Jan 93 21:17:39 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.Edu Message-ID: Followup-To: alt.guitar.tab Lines: 470 Archive-name: guitar-tab-faq Last-modified: $Date: 1992/09/17 16:31:01 $ Version: $Revision: 1.0b $ Your comments, additions and fixes to this list are welcome: please send them to Ken Bibb . ~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 pagers. In GNU Emacs type "M-C-s ^F.*xx", (or C-r to search backwards), followed by ESC to end the search. "-xx" is often sufficient. To skip to new or changed questions, use "/^S.*[!+]" with most pagers and "M-C-s ^S.*[!+]" in GNU Emacs. This article is in nn digest format. The nn newsreader can break digests apart into separate articles: if it's treating this as a single article and you want to break it up, use "G %". If you use rn, use ^G to skip sections. 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: 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 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: ken@bnf.com ~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 meem@gnu.ai.mit.edu: 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). [robc@Newbridge.COM 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 robc@Newbridge.COM 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... jamesb@nevada.edu 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 jamesb@nevada.edu. 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 (jamesb@nevada.edu) 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 jamesb@nevada.edu 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 jamesb@nevada.edu 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 (datta@cs.uwp.edu) 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 (datta@cs.uwp.edu) 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 ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com with a subject line of help as shown in the following example: Mail -s "help" ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com ~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*: archie@unl.edu archie@mcgill.ca 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 archie@unl.edu with a subject of help. For example: % Mail -s "help" archie@unl.edu 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: mystery-city@glam.org. The administrative address will *probably* be: mystery-city-request@glam.org. 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, allgaier@bu-bio.bu.edu does *not* like either of these groups. CONTRIBUTORS jamesb@nevada.edu ken@bnf.com meem@gnu.ai.mit.edu obry@bellcore.com robc@Newbridge.COM -- ken@bnf.com "Never meant to be the black sheep of the family"--IQ