Tutorial 7: Guitar Tab and Fretted Instruments

Finale offers a variety of features for notation of guitar and other fretted instruments. In this chapter you will learn how to create a score with tablature, edit tab staves, enter bends, slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs, and even enter music into your score using a MIDI guitar. If you do not plan on notating for guitar (or another fretted instrument), feel free to skip ahead to the next chapter.  

Creating Guitar Tablature

Let’s start by creating a new document containing both standard and tablature notation. We’ll use the Document Setup Wizard to do this.

• Click the File Menu, choose New, then select Document with Setup Wizard. You will now see page one of the Setup Wizard.
• Click Next. We’ll set up our document staves manually. In the future you can select pre-set guitar documents and document styles here.
• In the left column, click the Fretted Instruments category. A list of stringed instruments appears in the second column.
• In the second column, click Guitar and then click the Add button. “Guitar” appears in the third column.
• In the second column, click Guitar [Tab] and then click the Add button. Now, both “Guitar” and “Guitar [Tab]” appear in the third column.
• Click Next. In the Score Information page the wizard asks you to enter some basic information.
• Type “Guitar with Tab.”
• Click in the Composer box and type your name.
• Click Next. The Score Settings page of the appears. Here, the Wizard asks for the time signature and the key signature. We’ll leave these settings alone for now. The Wizard asks you to specify a tempo, pickup measure, and default music font. Again, we can leave these settings alone.
• Click Finish. The document opens with a standard notation staff above a tablature staff. You are now ready to begin entering your music.

The document you just created is already set up to take into account the standard guitar transposition which sounds an octave lower than written. Now, let’s learn the best way to enter music into a guitar score.

Copying Music to and from a Tab Staff

There are a few ways to enter into a tab staff. We’ll start with the most basic, copying music directly from a standard staff into tablature. To demonstrate this we’ll start with a document that already contains music in standard notation.   

• Open the tutorial document called “Tutorial 7.” A score titled “Spanish Dance No. 2” appears. The first eight measures contain standard notation, but no tab. Here’s how to create tab from existing music in standard notation.
• Click the Selection Tool  .  
• Click the first measure so it is highlighted.
• Hold down the key and click measure 4. Now measures one through four should be highlighted.
• Drag the highlighted region down to the tab staff, and release the mouse button. You should now see the Lowest Fret dialog box. We’ll talk more about this dialog box soon.
• Click OK. The first four measures of music will now translate into tablature notation. You should now have tab of the melody line like the example below.

In this case, the fret numbers represent the pitch as played on the lowest possible fret in standard guitar tuning.

Now, let’s say you want the tab positioned farther up the neck. Here’s how to specify the lowest fret for any music copied from a regular notation staff into a tab staff. The Selection Tool should still be selected.

• Click measure 5 so it is highlighted.
• Hold down the key and click measure 8. Now measures five through eight should be highlighted.
• Drag the highlighted region down to the tab staff. You should now see the Lowest Fret dialog box.
• For Specify Lowest Fret, enter “5”. We’ll say you want to place all the numbers on the 5th fret or above.
• Click OK. The tab staff will now have all notes fingered no lower than the 5th fret.

This ability to copy music from standard notation into tab, and specify a lowest fret, can be applied to smaller areas of the score by selecting part of the measure. To do this, click and drag over a region including the partial measure(s).

To set the lowest fret for an entire tab staff, click the Staff Tool, double click the tab staff, then click the Select button at the bottom. Enter a value for Default Lowest Fret, then click OK back to your score.  

In addition to translating standard notation directly to tablature, you can also copy tablature directly into a standard notation staff. We will use the second half of “Spanish Dance No. 2” to demonstrate this. For this example the tablature is entered for you already.

• With the Selection Tool selected, click measure 9 of the tab staff.
• Hold down the key and click measure 16 of the tab staff. Now measures nine through sixteen of the tab staff should be highlighted.
• Drag the highlighted region up to the standard staff. Measures nine through sixteen translate directly into standard notation. You should now have notation of the melody line like the following example (starting with measure 9).

In addition to changing the lowest fret while copying, you can also change the lowest fret for any region of tablature with the Selection Tool. To do this, highlight a region of the tablature staff. Then, choose Utilities > Change > Lowest Fret. Enter the new Lowest Fret and click OK to apply your changes and return to the score.

Changing the String and Fret Number

You can edit tab numbers and move them between strings manually with the Simple Entry Tool. This method gives more control over the movement of single and non-contiguous fingerings.

If you look at measure five in the tablature staff you’ll see that the fourth note is played at the fifth fret of the fourth string. It might be easier to finger this passage if that note was fingered at the tenth fret of the fifth string. Simple Entry makes this task easy.   

• Click the Simple Entry Tool  .

• While pressing the (Mac: ) key, on the fifth measure, click the “5” on the fourth string and drag it down to the fifth string. You will see that this fingering has moved to the new string and fret, and the number has changed accordingly. You can also use the up arrow and down arrow to move selected tab numbers between strings, or the left arrow and right arrow to move selection between fret numbers horizontally.

You can also easily change the fret number. The Simple Entry Tool should still be selected.

• While pressing the (Mac: ) key, click any fret number in the tab staff. The tab number changes color to indicate it is selected.
• In the numeric keypad (or while holding down -, or on Mac, -), type a new number. You can now use the numeric keypad to enter any one- or two-digit number.
• Hit the “+” or “-” key to raise or lower the fret number by one. Remember that when you change the fret number, you are effectively changing its pitch. To ensure the standard notation accurately represents the tablature, drag the tablature up to the standard notation staff with Selection Tool.  

Entry Directly into a Tab Staff

In addition to copying from a standard notation staff, you can also enter tab directly into a tab staff. This comes in handy if you are working with a tab staff only or already know the tablature and not the standard notation. Again, we’ll continue to use the same file we’ve been working on to describe how to do this, first by entering tablature with your mouse, and then with your computer keyboard.

• Click the Selection Tool   and highlight the first two measures of the tab staff. Measures 1 and 2 of the tab staff should be highlighted.
• Press the () key to remove the existing tab notation from these first measures. You should now see standard notation above an empty tab staff for the first two measures.

• Click the Simple Entry Tool . We are now ready to begin entering into the tab staff manually. For now, we’ll enter tab for the existing notes in the standard notation staff. In the future, you could use this procedure to enter into a score containing a tab staff only.
• Click the Eighth Note Tool   in the Simple Entry Palette. You will need to choose the rhythmic value of the entry first so Finale knows its duration, and how to properly space each fret number.

Use the up and down arrows to move a selected fret number up or down a string. The number will adjust to reflect the same pitch on the new string.

• Click the tab staff on the third (G) string directly below the first note in the piece. A “0” (zero) appears. When you click directly into a tab staff, you will always see a “0” first.  
• Press numeric keypad 2 (or while holding down -, or on Mac, -, press 2). The “0” changes to “2”.
• Click the tab staff on the third string directly below the second note in the piece. A “0” appears on the G string.

If you do not have a numeric keypad, you can press to add a 0 on the caret pitch, then hold down - (Mac -) and type the number.

• Press numeric keypad 3. The second fret number changes to 3. You can use this method, first clicking the rhythmic duration, clicking the string and then typing the fret number to create all of your tab notation, but you can also quickly enter tablature without the use of the mouse with the Simple Entry Caret.
• Press the right arrow key. The caret is now active on the second beat of the first measure.
• On your QWERTY keyboard, type 2. Notice the Caret moves to the second (B) string. Use numbers 1 through 6 on your QWERTY keyboard to specify the string for the fret number you are about to enter. 1 is the top string, 6 is the bottom.

• Press numeric keypad 3. Finale places a “3” on the B string and the caret moves to the right. (Notebook users, see the tip at right.)
• Press numeric keypad 1. Finale places a “1” on the same string. Now, let’s say we want to add another note below the “1” on the second beat.
• Hold down (Mac: ) and type 4 on the QWERTY keyboard. Finale adds a “0” on the fourth string below the fret number you just entered.
• Hold down (Mac: ) and type numeric keypad 3 (or, - (Mac: -) 3). The “0” changes to a “3”. You can use the last two steps at any time, first entering the string and then the fret number to create chords. You can also use the up and down arrows to specify the string for an additional fret number and then hold down (Mac: ) and press ) to add a note on the same string displayed on the caret. Then hold down (Mac: ) and type the desired number on the numeric keypad.

• Press to remove the extra fret number. Now, let’s finish the measure.

To see a list of Simple Entry keyboard shortcuts from the Simple Menu, choose TAB Specific Commands.  

• On the QWERTY keyboard, type 3 to specify the G string, then, on the numeric keypad, type 3 and then 2. You have completed tab for the first measure. The Caret should appear at the beginning of measure 2. Note that you can always press the left arrow key to select the fret number you just entered, type a new number on the numeric keypad to replace the old, and then press the right arrow key to continue entering.

Refer back to Tutorial 1a for information on entering standard notation with the Simple Entry Caret.

• Type numeric keypad 3 to enter the first fret number in measure 2. Now, we’ll enter a rest.
• Press . Finale adds a rest ‘on the and’ of beat 1. Since rests are generally not displayed on tab staves, the rest is hidden. It will display as a shaded rest in the score, and will not appear in the printout. Now, let’s enter the half note on the second beat.
• Hold down , and (Mac: , and ) and then, on the QWERTY keyboard, type 6. Notice the note on the Caret changes to a half note. The next fret number is on the same string, so we can just type in the fret number.
• Press Enter. Finale places a 0 on the string. You could have instead hit the 0 key on the numeric keypad. Measures 1 and 2 are now complete.

Instead of typing the string and fret number, you can also use a MIDI device to enter tablature with the Simple Entry Caret. First, from the Simple Menu, ensure Use MIDI Device for Input is checked. Then, with the Caret active, choose the rhythmic duration (, and (Mac: , and ) and the number on the QWERTY keyboard) and then play the note. Finale will place the fret number on the appropriate string.

There are many additional keystrokes you can use while entering tablature using the Simple Entry Caret. For a complete list, from the Simple Menu, choose TAB Specific Commands.

Entering Slides, Bends, and Tremolos

You can enter these common elements of tab notation into your score using the Smart Shape Tool. Since these items often appear in both the standard and tab staff, we’ll start by entering them into the standard staff and then copy them down to the tab staff. To prepare for this section open Tutorial 7a “Blues Scale.”

• Click the Smart Shape Tool  .
• Click the Tab Slide Tool   in the Smart Shape palette.     
• Double click the first note of the scale. A line extends automatically from the A to the C. Click the handles to manually edit the end points of the line if necessary.

• Click the Bend Hat Tool   in the Smart Shape palette. Now we’ll enter a bend and release from third beat of the second measure to the first beat in the third measure.
• Double click the A on the third beat of the second measure. You should now see a bend hat extending from the A to the B flat.

Use pre-set Metatools to quickly enter Smart Shapes into a tab staff. For example, hold down the B key and double-click a fret number to enter a bend curve, N for a bend hat or hold down E, double-click and drag for a tremolo.  

• Double click the B flat on the last beat of the second measure. You should now see a bend hat extending from the B flat back to the A in the third measure.
• Click the Trill Extension Tool  . We’ll use this tool to add a tremolo on the last note.
• Above the last note, double-click and drag to create a tremolo marking. Your standard notation staff should now look like this.

• Click the Selection Tool  .
• Click to the left of the standard notation staff to highlight the entire staff.  
• Drag the highlighted area down into the tab staff.  
• In the Lowest Fret dialog box type “0”.
• Click OK. The notes will convert to tab numbers and the markings will translate properly for tab notation. The bend hats have converted to bend and release curves.

You will notice the last note is translated to the open A string. Now, let’s move this down to the E string for the tremolo.

• Click the Simple Entry Tool  .
• While pressing the (Mac: ) key, click the last note so it is selected.
• Press the down arrow key to move it to the sixth string. Now the tremolo is possible without a whammy bar.

Now, let’s say we want to add a 1/4 bend on the second to last note.

• Click the Smart Shape Tool  .
• Click the Guitar Bend Tool  .
• On the second to last fret number (3), hold down the (Mac: ) key and double-click. You should now see a curved line with an arrow pointing up and a “1/4” figure indicating a bend of a quarter step. Note that you can also enter guitar bends in a tab staff by simply double-clicking the first of two fret numbers. Finale will even attach the appropriate text based on the pitch difference of the fret numbers.

Now, you may want to add a bend indication in the standard staff on the second to last note.

• Click the Slur Tool   in the Smart Shape palette.
• Double-click the second-to-last note (C) in the standard notation staff.
• Click and drag the handles to edit the slur. You can use the slur handles to create a small curve to the right of the note.

For compete information on entering all Smart Shapes, see the User Manual under the Smart Shape Tool.

Hammer-ons, Pull-offs and Other Markings

We’ll continue to use the “Blues Scale” document to demonstrate how to enter hammer-ons and pull-offs. This method can be used to enter a variety of other markings as well. The Smart Shape Tool should still be selected.

• Click the Slur Tool   in the Smart Shape Palette.
• In the tab staff, double click the “1” on the last beat of the first measure. You should see a slur from the last beat of the first measure to the first beat of the second measure.
• While pressing the (Mac: ) key, click the Custom Line Tool  .
• Scroll down until you find the H custom shape and click it so it is highlighted. There are several sets of these (H, P, B, and R) markings of different styles and fonts. For more details, choose one and click Edit. Then click OK to return to the Smart Line Selection dialog box.
• Click Select.  
• Double click the “1” on the last beat of the first measure and drag across the barline to the first beat of the next measure. Remember, the direction of the slur and font of the “H” depends on the option chosen in the Smart Line Selection dialog box, and may not match the image below.

Now, you can use the arrow keys to make fine adjustments. To enter a pull-off, follow the same steps, only choose the “P” custom shape in the Custom Shape dialog box.

Use the above method to enter a variety of performance indications used regularly for fretted instruments. In the Smart Line Selection window you will  find figures for bends (B), releases (R), palm mutes (P.M.), harmonics (A.H. and P.H.), picking, and others.

Entry Using a MIDI Guitar (Optional Section)

You can use a MIDI guitar to enter music into your score much like you can with a MIDI keyboard using the HyperScribe Tool. Finale can even record the string you use for each pitch while entering directly into a tab staff. Here’s how to use a MIDI guitar for entry.   

• First, set up a guitar-to-MIDI interface with your computer. In order to communicate pitches from your guitar to Finale, you will need an interface between the guitar and computer. This interface is used to convert the pitches you play into MIDI information. It connects to your computer like a MIDI keyboard. A Roland GR-33 was referenced in the preparation of this tutorial, though any interface in this genre should work. Refer to the interface’s instruction manual for specific setup instructions.
• Coordinate MIDI channels for your guitar strings. From the MIDI menu, choose Tablature MIDI Channels. The Tablature MIDI Channels dialog box appears as seen here.

The MIDI data for each string on a MIDI guitar reaches Finale on its own MIDI channel. In order to properly organize this information, you need to tell Finale the MIDI channel assigned to each string. In this dialog box, enter the channel for each string as defined on your guitar-to-MIDI interface and click OK. Consult your interface’s instruction manual for information on assigning strings to MIDI channels, or viewing the currently selected MIDI channel for each string.

• Click the MIDI menu and choose MIDI Setup (then, if you are using Windows, click the Advanced button to extend the lower portion). In the bottom left of the dialog box, you will see a MIDI-In Latency setting. There tends to be a small, but consistent delay between the time a guitar string is plucked and when the MIDI information reaches Finale. Finale can compensate for this delay by anticipating the beat during a HyperScribe session.
• After MIDI In Latency, enter “25”. This is just a good first guess. You will probably need to make further adjustments depending on the guitar-to-MIDI interface you are using and your own performance habits. Try anywhere from 25 to 150 miliseconds or so.  
• Click OK.
• Create a new document containing a standard and tab staff with the Setup Wizard. Follow the instructions at the beginning of this chapter to do this. We’ll use this document to demonstrate entry with a MIDI guitar.
• From the MIDI Menu, choose Click and Countoff. The Click and Countoff dialog box appears.
• For Countoff and Click, choose While Recording.
• For Source, choose MIDI Note.
• For Measures, choose 2.
• Click OK. You have just instructed Finale that a 2-measure countoff is to be used before recording, and that a click is to be used during recording. Now, we’ll instruct Finale that it will be providing the tempo information.    
• Click the HyperScribe Tool  . A new menu appears on the menu bar called HyperScribe.

• From the HyperScribe Menu, choose Beat Source, then Playback and/or Click. Your default settings should be Beat equals a quarter, Tempo is 96.
• For Start Signal for Recording, click the drop-down (Mac: pop-up) menu and choose Any MIDI Data. This setting tells Finale to use any type of MIDI data as a cue to start the countoff. Note also that you can access the Click and Countoff dialog box from here. For more details, see the User Manual under Click and Countoff dialog box.
• Click OK. Finale is now ready to provide you with a metronome click.
• From the HyperScribe Menu, choose Record Mode. Make sure Record into One Staff is selected. For this example, we will record into the tab staff only.
• Click the first measure of the tab staff. A frame surrounds the measure you clicked, indicating that Finale is ready for you to begin. Finale is waiting for you to send a signal that you’re ready because we set the Start Signal to Any MIDI data. It doesn’t matter which note or you play.
• Play a note on your MIDI guitar. Finale begins to click, and will give you two full measures to get a feel for the tempo before it begins recording. If you don’t get a click, you may wish to review the section called SETTING UP YOUR MIDI SYSTEM in the Installation chapters earlier in this book. You may also wish to consult the User Manual under MIDI Setup dialog box.
• At the conclusion of the second countoff measure, play a two-octave C scale, in quarter notes, starting on middle C, as shown below.

As you play each measure, the numbers appear compressed together; only when you’ve completely filled a measure (and moved on to the next) does the full-fledged notation appear.

• When you’re finished, click the mouse button anywhere on the screen. The editing frame goes away. Take a look at what Finale did: there should be a C scale in the tab staff with the fret numbers the same as the ones you played. If not, try entering a slower tempo in the Playback and/or Click dialog box, or change the MIDI In Latency value in the MIDI Setup dialog box.

Now we’ll copy the tab you just entered into the standard notation staff.

• Click the Selection Tool  .  
• Highlight the measures containing fret numbers, and then drag the region into the notation staff. Your document should now look like the figure above.

Hints and Tips for Tablature

For complete information, see Tablature in the User Manual.

1. Up and down pick markings can be entered with the Articulation Tool.
2. You can add stems and beaming to tablature by configuring the Staff Attributes of your tab staff. Click the Staff Tool, double click the tab staff and click the Stem Settings button in the Staff attributes dialog box.
3. To customize the smallest note value for a HyperScribe session, first configure your Quantization Settings. From the MIDI menu choose Quantization Settings. For more information, see Quantization in the User Manual.
4. If you are using a non-standard tuning, or other fretted instrument (lute, banjo, etc.) you can manually customize your string tuning in the Staff Attributes. Click the Staff Tool, double click the tab staff, click the Select button at the bottom, then click the Edit Instruments button.
5. To use fret letters instead of numbers, click the Staff Tool, double click the tab staff, click the Select button at the bottom, and check Use Letters.