How to Read Fiddle Tab

[Grassapelli]

Many people prefer that type of tab. My first look at fiddle tab was from Beginning Old Time Fiddle by Alan Kaufman. That method sank in and I adopted it.

[didacool]

Yes you can learn fidle or violin with Tab, see also the Capuano violin tab witch use 4 lines but with the location of fingers like guitar tab.

[Grassapelli]

Tab cannot be found for classical. I've written tabs for the first Suzuki book. I use these with my students. But, I haven't published them yet. And pop? I don't know where to look for that.

[roughinitoutdoors1]

is there a website that has alot of fiddle tabs including pop and classical music?

[emkilokos]

Thanks, clear and easy to follow. Now, if I can just sort out Cherokee Shuffle I'll be on my way. :-)

[junkyardwidow]

I quite enjoyed reading music this way and could see myself learning fiddle this way and classical in standard notation.:))

[Grassapelli]

@junkyardwidow I've been making tab charts for the pieces in Suzuki Book 1. My students use that to get going on music reading after they learn the piece.

[lowellirish]

Exactly, because...It just MAKES SENSE. 4 lines, 4 strings. Much easier to differentiate and understand if they are on the lines. To each his own, I guess... How LONG have you been 'around?''....lol. Guess it works for some, just when I started to go to other websites (about 90% of them) they all seemed to contradict yours lines-vs-spaces. When I tried to play your tab, it was slow, and cumbersome- When I identified with the other tab being on the lines, I could play ALOT faster!

[lowellirish]

PROBLEM!! The numbers SHOULD be on the string indicated, NOT in the spaces! Putting them in the spaces defeats learning TAB. (This from a beginner, sheeeesh)

[Grassapelli]

@lowellirish And why, exactly, should the fingering numbers be on the lines? When Alan Kaufman published Beginning Old Time Fiddle there was no Tabledit or any tab software. He chose to put the numbers in the spaces. That's how I learned tab. That's why I do it that way.

The penalty for hanging around this world such a long time!

[Cassthefiddler]

I really appreciate your video. Thanks for making it and explaining it so clearly.

[jaceville]

I agree with xtoatsies...you are pointing out rhythm...but not what the notes are.....they are , F# ,F#, F#, E,E,E D,D,D,B,B,B etc;...you must explain 'where' to find 'B' on the second string...and so on ....... after all there are two full scales on each string......!!

[xToatsies]

thats dreadful... for example: 1st finger on E? that could be either F or F# .. or another note in another position.. like how do you know??

[Grassapelli]

Your recognition of the first finger as F or F# suggests that you have knowledge of music notation and violin. That's good! You can use books of fiddle tunes in standard music notation!

My tabs are created for beginning and intermediate fiddlers who don't want to learn to read music right away.

The assumption is a left hand fingering that produces a major scale from the open string.

[xToatsies]

ok i see. it seems more practical just to learn how to real music sheet but... this is more "easier" for beginners :)

[TheTwilightReaper]

Can you tell me which program you use to get midi songs into violin tabs?

[Grassapelli]

There is no program. I draw these charts using Appleworks.

[sailcat22]

hey grassapelli! you are inspiring me to pick up that fiddle I bought years ago...

[chessfun]

this helps me very much, thanks for posting..

[122753Carl]

Thanks GP! I need a little simplified instruction. I'm not a kid nor a studid musician and these things help. I have began playing a little by ear and every little ditty like this really helps explain and helps build. Carl