Tab addition and instruments.xml cutomization

• Jan 9, 2015 - 09:59

Hi,
I am trying to add tabs under the "bouzouki-4-course" by configuring the v2.0 instruments/instruments.xml file, the way already described for the mandolin but:
1. I cannot find any structure reference for v2.0 of the various sections like , , etc
2. the modifications in instruments.xml are not visible in the add->instruments list, do I need to re-interpret/reload the xml file some way?

It would be nice to make a simple how-to guide for adding tabs in existing instruments

Thank you in advance

Comments

• Jan 9, 2015 - 11:08

ad 2: MuseScore loads a built-in instruments.xml (:/data/instruments.xml), and you can't modify that (without re-compile). But in Edit → Preferences... → Score, you can configure MuseScore to load a 2nd such file, this time the one you modified.

ad 1: it seems for both bousoukis the string data section is missing, this is needed for tablature

As per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouzouki it should probably be "The conventional modern tuning of the trichordo bouzouki is Dd-aa-dd" or "typically tuned Cc Ff aa dd (i.e., one whole step below the four high strings of a guitar)" for the 4-course one. Also the number of frets is needed.
Example are available from other instruments with tablature definitions.

maybe this should get added to the built-in instruments.xml?

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• Jan 10, 2015 - 13:40

@Jojo-Schmitz

ad 2, I'd already try to load the modified xml as 2nd definition, as you suggest with no result

ad 1, Your info is correct, and in more detail,
-the bouzouki-4-course = tetra-chordo = tetra (=4) + chordo (=chordes/strings)
actually there are 4 pairs of strings Cc-Ff-aa-dd
similarly,
-the bouzouki-3-course = tri-chordo = tria (=3) + chordo, 3 pairs of strings Dd-aa-dd

frets for both are standard 26 (rarely up to 28 max)

the attached mscx seems to work as a temporary workaround, thank you !

but please add the 2 greek bouzoukis normally it to next update,
many thanks in advance!

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• Jan 10, 2015 - 18:12

oops, in that case I'll have to correct this...

Hmm, no, I used those, except I used only the lower ones, as there is no support for courses in MuseScore. This is consistent with e.g. 12-string Guitar (6 2-string courses)

For the 4-courses: C3, F3, A3, D4
For the 3-courses: D3, A3, D4

And in the string data they are listed the other way round, string 1 is the highest, just like for other plucked instruments, like guitar

However, it seems the range is wrong, starts an octave lower than the lowest open string, C2, resp. D2.
It goes up to F6, which means 27 frets, guess we can make a difference for the 'amateur' vs. 'professional' setting to have 26 resp. 28 frets or E6 resp. F#6?
Worth the effort?

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• Jan 10, 2015 - 20:30

I think the simpler the better,
4-courses: C3, F3, A3, D4
3-courses: D3, A3, D4
it is more than enough!

just as in the attached Bouzouki.mscx staff type:
for the 4-courses,
tab-4-str simple / common / full,
and the equivalent for the 3-courses

question,
is it possible to change the auto-chosen string with the equivalent note in another string?

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