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Special instruments
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Diatonic instruments...
This category includes the diatonic accordion and the harmonica. As both of these instruments make use of a special variant of the "Tuning" dialog, a separate page has been dedicated to them.
Clawhammer banjo
Dulcimer
TablEdit recognizes these two instruments as a function of the number of strings and the tuning used (the bottom string having the highest pitch). Having been recognized, TablEdit manages all of the peculiarities of these instruments automatically, including the diatonic capo for the dulcimer.
Lute
The Renaissance lute, which has anywhere from eight to twenty-one strings, is always tabbed out on a grid consisting of seven strings and, generally, using the notation "a=0, b=1, c=2". The first six strings are completely non-specific. On the other hand, the 7th string, all on it's own, represents all of the instrument's bass strings starting with the 7th, itself.
For example, //a indicates that the 9th string (7+2//) is played open, a simple 6 indicates that the 13th string (7+6) is played open, etc. TablEdit applies these rules as soon the instrument has seven or more strings with the 7th string tuned to G#, A or F#.
By default, the lute tuning obtained by use of the pre-defined tunings is for a thirteen string lute in A. In order to manage all the lute forms from seven to twenty-one strings, a specific dialog can be opened by selecting "Instrument configuration". This dialog allows you to:
define the number of strings
adjust the tuning of strings 7 to n-1
to specify the string to be used for the basses (entering "1" in the "Bass" field would, for example allow you to select a reversed tuning).
In the "Tuning" dialog, you define the tuning of the first six strings and the lowest bass string (n) as usual. The "Lute tuning" dialog allows you to adjust the tunings for strings 7 to n-1.
Fiddle (Violin)
In tablatures written for the violin, the numbers don't indicate hypothetical, non-existent frets. Instead, they indicate the finger used to fret the string, this finger corresponds to a note in the ongoing scale. Notes requiring a fingering which is offset from the base position are displayed by either an "L" (low) or an "H" (high). Accidentals are indicated by either a "+" or a "-" sign, depending on the alteration. To force TablEdit to use this type of notation just enter "Fiddle" as the module name.
Tip: If you have a C# displayed as "3H", you can change it into a "4L" by forcing a Db.
Pedal Steel Guitar
TablEdit handles this instrument without problems. Simply:
select one of the tunings available in the popup list found in the "Tuning" dialog.
select the "Module" tab then click on the "Pedal Steel Guitar" option.
Pedals and knee levers are emulated through the use of the Pitch change function.
In order to provide the best possible sound reproduction, we recommend that you activate the "Extend Bends/Slides" and "Predefined Solo Instrument" options in the "Advanced" options dialog.
See also: Steeler Tips
Tin Whistle/Recorder/Xaphoon
TablEdit can even produce "tablatures" for Tin Whistle (Penny Whistle), Recorder and Xaphoon (the pocket sax http://www.xaphoon.com/). All you have to do is to select either of these instruments from the "Instrument Tuning" dialog. TablEdit will then display a representation of the instrument's pipe beneath the notational stave. The standard tablature is, of course, irrelevant in this case and we recommend that you turn it off when printing out.
The "tablature" portion of such pieces contains three, purely representative, strings which always maintain the same tonal relation to each other. You can modify the tuning but make sure that you change all three strings in the same manner. If you don't, TablEdit will no longer recognize the instrument.
Autoharp
In an autoharp tablature, the five lines of the tablature grid do not, obviously, represent the 36 actual strings of the instrument. Instead, they mirror the five lines of the classical notation by displaying, on the same line as the that of the corresponding pitch, fingering indications for rhythm and melody.
By default, melody notes are "plucks", that is to say that the player, using the thumb and a finger, picks the fundamental of the chord and two or three adjacent strings at the same time. You can enter a "pinch" (a single string) by assigning the note a right-hand thumb attack indication.
For rhythmic or accompaniment figures, enter the fundamental of the chord and assign it a "Brush" or "Roll" effect.
In order to force TablEdit to display the tablature in an autoharp-specific format, simple enter "Autoharp" as the instrument name. Given the fact that notes are not displayed on the string where they're actually located in the tablature, its recommended that this display mode not be activated during editing.
Trombone
The tablature normally does not make sense for a trombone. The fret number is even the exact opposite of the physical instrument : the more the pipe is extended, the more the sound is low. By pressing [W], you define the module as a wind instrument. Thus the logic is inverted : The 0 will be displayed as a 7, the 1 as a 6, and so on. In printout, the standard display of the tuning is replaced by a special display where each string represents an hole.
Microtonal Instrument
Some instruments, in particular oriental ones, produce naturally microtonal sounds. TablEdit allows you to emulate these instruments. In order to do this:
- Apply to the module any name starting with "Arab", for example "Arabic Oud".
- Select the note to be adjusted and apply the "Choke" special effect ([c]). TablEdit will then display an half sharp in the notation (which means that the note is augmented by one ¼ tone) and suffixes the number by '+' in the tablature. To achieve a half-flat, select the note and type [<] twice.