How to put low notes in Baroque lute tab

• Nov 13, 2021 - 06:11

I used someone else's 13 course lute piece as a starting point for me to try my first Baroque lute tab piece. I am having trouble writing letters and numbers below the staff. I found I could write an 'a' on the 6th line and then selecet it in Normal mode and use the arrow key to move it down, but I could only get it to the 8th course. I also found that in Note entry mode I could write an 'a' on the 6th course and immediately use the arrow key and get it down to where I want it (4, 5 or 6) but that it disappears when I deselect N. How do I make it stick?

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Comments

• Nov 13, 2021 - 07:47

Can you attach your file for checking?
It is likely that you have misconfigured the instrument (the 13-course lute) from the start.

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• Nov 13, 2021 - 07:58

First of all, you have to choose in the Wizard the 13-course lute. By default, in the right column, it is displayed with a standard staff/Treble clef (1st image below)
Via the drop-down list, choose a new Staff Type: TAB- French, for example (2th image below)

And you get this file: template 13 course.mscz

EDIT: Just for your information, this is quite often a source of confusion, the Lute (Tablature) instrument, which you see in the instrument list, is configured by default as a 6-course lute. And so it is not possible to enter additional basses. To be able to do so, you have to choose one of the other instruments, then change the staff type (to TAB-French or other), like the 13-course, as explained above.

lute 13.jpg
lute 2.jpg

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• Nov 13, 2021 - 09:48

The simplest: in the wizard, type "lute" in the search box (I highligthed it on image below)
(or in the Wizard: "Choose instruments" -> "All instruments" tab (not Common, as your image show it in a previous reply) -> Strings-Plucked, juste below the search box)
But really easiest and quicker with the search box.

lute1.jpg

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• Nov 13, 2021 - 16:00

So typing lute after selecting all instruments does the trick to show the lutes. I don't how to get how to replace the 13-chörig currently there with the Lute-13 course though, so I added a track and copied and pasted.
I still cannot put in a 12th course (5) where I want it. As low as I can go is the 6th course and then use an arrow key until 5 shows up. Is this correct? As soon as I deselect "N", the 5 disappears.
Screen Shot 2021-11-14 at 12.51.13 AM.png
Screen Shot 2021-11-14 at 12.51.40 AM.png
Screen Shot 2021-11-14 at 12.52.32 AM.png

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• Nov 13, 2021 - 17:02

" As low as I can go is the 6th course and then use an arrow key until 5 shows up. Is this correct? As soon as I deselect "N", the 5 disappears."
Ah, maybe understood? When the 5 shows up, you must "confirm" (you must use a keystroke to input a note) by typing 5 (or "a", no matter). And now, the 5 remains on your score.

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• Nov 14, 2021 - 09:34

The option-shift arrow key works like a charm. I have that working now.

I just have one more major problem with this piece. And that is I cannot for the life of me make triplets. I've tried following the instructions. There is even a video and the woman clicks on a rest. I cannot make a rest either. Hitting 0 just puts in a note of tiny value. I made a screen recording but I guess even the small version is too big to upload. I select a quarter note and hit 0. NG. I select quarter note and hit command 3. NG.

Also, is there a specific forum subgroup I should be asking these questions in? I just noticed that there are different forums here.

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• Nov 14, 2021 - 12:27

I'm not sure I understand in relation to the "option Shift - arrow key". The Shift key is by no means necessary to input extra basses below the staff (eg for a baroque lute). Maybe it's a keyboard configuration or platform issue (Windows, Mac, Linux), I don't know.
Well, if it's working now for you, so much the better, but it is unexpected.

Next, different things about triplets in TABs:

1) Start by showing rests in TABs via Staff/Parts Properties -> Advanced style properties -> Notes values -> Tick "Show rests"
2) Next, to enter a rest in a TAB, it's not the "0" (as in standard staff), but the semicolon.
3) On the Gif below.

  • The first staff is displayed with "Stems and Beams" (modern style!) In this case, you just have to place yourself on a rest and press Ctrl/Cmd + 3. The hook is displayed automatically.

  • The second staff is displayed with "Note Symbols" (early style!)
    In this case, the triplet itself has not been implemented. As far as I remember, they are rare or absent in early music?
    Nevertheless, one can approach the result by doing the same process (Ctrl/Cmd + 3), then, if you want (this is not very academic!), by adding an image of a hook (which I had put in a palette).
    You can find this image (you can save it and put in a palette for reuse) in this thread: https://musescore.org/en/node/116216

    Video_2021-11-14_131500.gif

EDIT: "Also, is there a specific forum subgroup I should be asking these questions in? I just noticed that there are different forums here."
Indeed, for the question of triplets, it would have been better to open a new thread (on the same "General Discussion" subgroup) so as not to mix the towels and the cloths! :)
And also, to optimize the search of the users on such or such subject. You will know it next time.

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