Tablature Basics
How to Read & Understand Tablature for DOBRO®
by Mickey Cochran
Tablature Basicsby Mickey Cochran
Copyright© 1999 Mickey Cochran
Tablature is one of the oldest forms of written music...it is a visual approach to reading music that gives you an exact position of slide placement on your instrument's slideboard. There are many advantages of tablature that many are not aware of...for instance, if you use different tunings, tablature does not deviate from the standard number positioning; whereas, standard notation has to be re-learned for every tuning. Additionally, standard notation requires a roman numeral positioning to denote where to place your slides. Tablature is much more direct. Ultimately, it's best to become well-versed in both standard notation and tablature.
Dobro TABLATURE:
===================================================================== D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
T 1 2 T 1 2 T 1 T 1 2 T 1 2 T 1 The letters to the right of each line represent the name of the string. In this Dobro tab representation,
the top line represents the "D" string...the next below the "D" would be the "B" string...the next below
the "B" would be the "G" string...and the next below the "G" string would be the "D" string...and the
next below the "D" string would be the "B" string...and the next below the "B" string would be the
"D" string... So visually, you're looking at the Dobro strings, as represented by these lines, as upside down.
The "T12" represents which right hand fingering to utilize as you play the notes. T for thumb 1 for index finger 2 for middle finger The numbers below all of the lines: 1 2 3 4 represent the timing of the piece. If you were to tap your foot
in a rhythmic manner as you count to four methodically, you have the beat of the piece. In this case, it would
be 4/4 timing. In the case of waltz timing you would have a count of 1 2 3 for each measure. You'll notice
also the line that separates the two measures that run vertically through the tablature. This line divides
each measure so that you can always tell how many beats are in a measure. If this was a waltz (3/4) piece,
it would look like the following: ===================================================================== D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] 1 2 3 1 2 3 Adding Notes to the Tablature We will now incorporate notes or slide positions to the tablature which will be represented by numbers
on each line. Following is a simple Dobro exercise that incorporates the numbering we are discussing. Each number
will represent what note to be played. For instance, a number "1" means to place your slide above the first
fret. A number "4" would mean to place your slide above the 4th fret of the string being represented by
the line it's placed on...for example, if the "4" is on the top line, you will play the "E" string at the 4th fret.
If the "4" is on the third line from the top, you will place your slide above the 4th fret on the "G" string.
A "0" would mean the string would be played open without fretting. Starting on the D String Starting on the B String ===================================================================== D|--0---1---2---3---4---3---2---1--|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|--0---1---2---3---4---3---2---1--] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 Starting on the G String Starting on the D String ===================================================================== D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|--0---1---2---3---4---3---2---1--|---------------------------------] D|---------------------------------|---0--1---2---3---4---3---2---1--] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 Starting on the B String Starting on the D String ===================================================================== D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] D|---------------------------------|---------------------------------] B|--0---1---2---3---4---3---2---1--|---------------------------------] G|---------------------------------|---0--1---2---3---4---3---2---1--] 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &
T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1 T 1
The above exercise takes you through each string methodically in a 4/4 timing. As you're tapping your foot to a count of "4" you'll also notice the "&" ampersand which represents the off beat between each tap of your foot. Each downbeat would be a thumbstroke with your right hand; each off beat, represented by the "&" symbol, would be played with an upstroke with your right hand index finger (unless you're left handed and then you would be picking with your left hand). As you play this exercise, you'll want to learn proper positioning of your Slide. Carefully place the slide directly above each fret designated by the numbers on the tablature.