BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/08/2010:  16:29:00

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I know that ZEPP has a lot of information regarding where tabs of different tunes can be located in various publications, but not every book is in the database he has online.

So, I was thinking about this project.

If I create an EXCEL template, would anyone be interested in writing in the pertinent data for various publications that would show which books have what tabs? I could then compile the template into a large list that might be made available at some spot on the Hangout (with permission, of course), could put the list on my personal website, could give it to anyone via email to use or put on their site - just brainstorming.

Anyone think this might be a good or bad idea? Get back to me - ok?

Judy

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Edited by - Bill Rogers on 12/27/2010 18:42:16

pickinchik - Posted - 12/08/2010:  21:15:21

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Hi Judy,

Any source of reference for information sounds like a great idea to me. It sounds like quite an undertaking though.

Mandy

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/08/2010:  21:17:30

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If we had numerous volunteers, each entering one tab book of his/her choice, I don't think it would be that difficult to compile everything into a spreadsheet.

Any volunteers? Oh - and volunteer for Tune of the Week while you are volunteering for the tab project.

Judy

janolov - Posted - 12/08/2010:  23:00:07

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I think it is a good idea. Perhaps also some major tab sites may be included, in the same or in a separate sheet?

Of course I volunteer for the tab project.

KS_Mike - Posted - 12/09/2010:  04:29:39

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Sounds like a great idea - I'll volunteer!

Edit: Should mention that the only tab books I have are Levenson's Old Time Festival Tunes and Erbsens' Ignoramus, but I'd be happy to do those.

Mike

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Edited by - KS_Mike on 12/09/2010 04:35:33

ZEPP - Posted - 12/09/2010:  05:32:37

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The Clawhammer Tune Index being a compilation of all known clawhammer tabs in print ( banjo-l.org/Clawhammer/tab_ind...0406.html ), was entrusted to me in the mid-'90s, when its creator found it necessary to seek anonymity and to "disappear" from view. The only stipulation in my using the files on the BANJO-L website was that their creator's name was not to be used in any way at any time or divulged to anyone.

In 2006, Roy Smith (a BHO contributor using his real name as his screen name) accepted my invitation to bring the index up-to-date by adding several books that had been published in the intervening years, and he graciously created some Excel files, used to generate the files now residing on the BANJO-L site.

May I suggest that Dr. Smith be contacted? He no doubt still has his source files, and might be willing to share them or in some other way make this project involve a whole lot less typing.

Also, having access to those files would make it much easier to convert the information into a searchable, online database, which I think would be the best approach at this time...

Cheers,
ZEPP

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Edited by - ZEPP on 12/09/2010 05:53:10

Roy Smith - Posted - 12/09/2010:  13:30:03

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As Z says, I do still have the spreadsheet that he's loaded on the web and I'd be happy to provide it to volunteers willing to take on the task of updating it.

I also applaud your willingness. Doing the job myself was somewhere on my list of "stuff I really ought to do," but there were several reasons I hadn't gotten around to it. First, I don't actually have every tab book ever written so mine wouldn't be complete; second, it's a lot of work; and third, I wasn't really sure anybody was paying attention anyway. I'm pleased to see that folks are.

Anyway, count me in. I'll gladly supply the file and I'll even do some of the lifting.

maryzcox - Posted - 12/09/2010:  14:37:59

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Hello Judy,

Send me the template with directions and I'll enter all the tunes in my tab books.

Thanks for all you do,
Love,
Mary Z

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/09/2010:  15:23:42

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Judy,
Send me the template and I'll enter the tabs in RSB and The Big Tabonanza. This is where things might get a bit complicated, because I know Roy has copies of most of my tabs, but I don't know if he has included all of them in his spreadsheet.

If the template has not been done yet I strongly suggest separate Key and Tuning columns. I always get flummoxed before I get a project like this off the ground - how many fields for alternate titles? Should it cross reference to versions in different keys but the same tuning - In bluegrass "Cripple Creek" is usually a G tune, while in OT it is an A tune most of the time. Since the tuning is identical save for pitch should it be entered once or twice - since you can obviously play a G tune in A with the addition of a capo. Then there are people like me who use F tuning Capo 2 for G and G tuning capo 2 for A.

If I follow your template, I suppose I could later add fields that others don't particularly need. I've been failing to get anything done on this for a good long time and I need the interposition of some discipline.

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/09/2010:  15:34:11

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quote:

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Originally posted by Roy Smith

As Z says, I do still have the spreadsheet that he's loaded on the web and I'd be happy to provide it to volunteers willing to take on the task of updating it.

I also applaud your willingness. Doing the job myself was somewhere on my list of "stuff I really ought to do," but there were several reasons I hadn't gotten around to it. First, I don't actually have every tab book ever written so mine wouldn't be complete; second, it's a lot of work; and third, I wasn't really sure anybody was paying attention anyway. I'm pleased to see that folks are.

Anyway, count me in. I'll gladly supply the file and I'll even do some of the lifting.

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Roy - email me what you can - inquiry@siliconheights.com.

Others have volunteered to email me their personal spreadsheets. Please send to the above email address.

I will get a template together for Mary and others based on what I get from whoever is planning on sending their files to me. Hopefully I will have something orderly to email to the volunteers sometime before the end of the year.

Judy

srselby - Posted - 12/09/2010:  19:55:44

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B'Judy: any rules for deciding what banjo playing styles are 'in' and what are 'out' of the list? Is it strict 'five string banjo with down-stroke playing only'? Or are we including some 2 - 3 finger up-picking?

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/09/2010:  21:29:50

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quote:

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Originally posted by srselby

B'Judy: any rules for deciding what banjo playing styles are 'in' and what are 'out' of the list? Is it strict 'five string banjo with down-stroke playing only'? Or are we including some 2 - 3 finger up-picking?

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I was thinking just clawhammer style would be enough for now. This could become a major, time-intensive project, and I think limiting the titles to just clawhammer might make sense for the first go round.

Roy Smith - Posted - 12/10/2010:  06:27:47

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quote:

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Originally posted by BANJOJUDY

Roy - email me what you can - inquiry@siliconheights.com.
...

Judy

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Done, and thanks.

Roy

Roy Smith - Posted - 12/10/2010:  06:38:38

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quote:

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Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

...things might get a bit complicated, because I know Roy has copies of most of my tabs, but I don't know if he has included all of them in his spreadsheet...

...I've been failing to get anything done on this for a good long time and I need the interposition of some discipline.

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Hi, Tony. No complications. I think you were only starting to digitize your pages in early 2006 when I last updated the spreadsheet, so your tabs do not appear. And they certainly should!

As regards discipline, we tab learners really do need you to get cracking on those bizarro tunes that nobody's ever written down as either tab or scores. Do we need to give Bunny a cattle prod for Christmas?

sundance kid - Posted - 12/10/2010:  07:37:40

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May I respectfully suggest that you use Open Office instead of Microsoft Excel? Not everyone chooses (or should be required for this project) to pay for Microsoft Office apps. Open Office is a free download and runs on multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac).

LyleK - Posted - 12/10/2010:  08:56:21

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quote:

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Originally posted by sundance kid

May I respectfully suggest that you use Open Office instead of Microsoft Excel? Not everyone chooses (or should be required for this project) to pay for Microsoft Office apps. Open Office is a free download and runs on multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac).

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And Open Office will open *.xls (Excel 97-2003) and *.xlsx (Excel 2010) files so making spreadsheets available in Excel doesn't require people to have Excel. Conversely, if the spreadsheets were available as *.ods files (Open Office's native spreadsheet files) you would probably have a lot of people scratching their heads. Personally, I'm a fan of *.csv files because just about anything will open those... but then you lose formatting.

Judy, if there's any way I can help on this just let me know. Happy to add the tabs from my website.

slabounty - Posted - 12/10/2010:  08:56:51

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quote:

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Originally posted by sundance kid

May I respectfully suggest that you use Open Office instead of Microsoft Excel? Not everyone chooses (or should be required for this project) to pay for Microsoft Office apps. Open Office is a free download and runs on multiple platforms (Windows, Linux, Mac).

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I don't disagree, but I believe that with something this simple, OpenOffice should be able to open/save in the preferred Excel format. Just a guess though.

Scott

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/10/2010:  10:31:33

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I have both open office and excel and so long as I save in the proper excel format I can use either o open the file. Over time I plan to go completely to Open Office, but there is no reason to throw out the Microsoft software I've had for 15 years to do it.

Roy
Send me your spreadsheet and I'll get to entering mine immediately.

I'm truly sorry about the lack of new tabs but I'm down with the ague right now and can hardly type. I'm getting better now, but right after Bun went to the beach, things started falling apart with my health. I'm shaking bad and my shoulders hurt like knife blades being worked into the joints, so I can't play banjo yet. To say nothing of thinking about translating pitches to frets, so all my big plans have once again hit the wall of reality. I hope to be tabbing again by mid week - perhaps earlier. I'll have a new batch by Christmas, but it might be mid January before I can publish complete tabs to the Tabonanza.

Neil
I'll do my version of Miss Sawyer - in fact I'll do Melodic and Normal versions of the tune. I actually nave several tabs of it around. I have always planned to add it to RSB eventually and it might as well be now. I would have answered you directly, but I was clumsy and hit delete instead of reply.

jojo25 - Posted - 12/10/2010:  10:39:44

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Judy et al,

I admire the initiative you folks have! I can't even get the time to compile a list of tunes I know, which seems to be an ever changing entity.

My fantasy is to have my list in a database that spits out a daily list of tunes I should play at my next "practice" session...to include the tunes I'm currently working on learning...at least some of those I've recently learned...a few of the old war horses and a smattering of obscure stuff I rarely play....I can dream can't I?

the fact is that what little time I have for music I almost exclusively devote to playing...to the extent that I go way too long between string changes

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/10/2010:  10:49:25

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quote:

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Originally posted by oldwoodchuckb

I have both open office and excel and so long as I save in the proper excel format I can use either o open the file. Over time I plan to go completely to Open Office, but there is no reason to throw out the Microsoft software I've had for 15 years to do it.

Roy
Send me your spreadsheet and I'll get to entering mine immediately.

I'm truly sorry about the lack of new tabs but I'm down with the ague right now and can hardly type. I'm getting better now, but right after Bun went to the beach, things started falling apart with my health. I'm shaking bad and my shoulders hurt like knife blades being worked into the joints, so I can't play banjo yet. To say nothing of thinking about translating pitches to frets, so all my big plans have once again hit the wall of reality. I hope to be tabbing again by mid week - perhaps earlier. I'll have a new batch by Christmas, but it might be mid January before I can publish complete tabs to the Tabonanza.

Neil
I'll do my version of Miss Sawyer - in fact I'll do Melodic and Normal versions of the tune. I actually nave several tabs of it around. I have always planned to add it to RSB eventually and it might as well be now. I would have answered you directly, but I was clumsy and hit delete instead of reply.

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I have Roy's spreadsheet, so I would hate to have any additions added to that one. How about after the holidays I just send everyone a template (who have volunteered) to be submitted to me so that all this can be compiled.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/10/2010:  16:08:14

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don't think I could come up with a list of all the tunes I know - although my wife has been cataloging her tunes for about 6 years now. Her "usable tunes" list (Usable, meaning she isn't afraid to start them in public) is something everyone should prolly have, but many of us are completely unable to get started on.

Recently she sent our jam friends out a list of tunes we player organized by "frequency" - that being how many times we've played then in the last year - not how far up they go. I'm not sure but on the latter I thing Quince Dillion is the highest tune I know -- actually wait. Some of the "C" tunes like "Pike's Peak" hit that High D too.

I can catalog, my published tabs though (Given workable format) because I have lists of them to work from. In fact, I put up my the title list on this forum about a week ago. Can't remember the thread though.

slabounty - Posted - 12/13/2010:  07:40:10

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I spent some time this past weekend working on a web site for this and it came out kind of OK. I'll try to get it live over the next couple of days or so. Once it's up, I'd love some help with the design. I'm a pretty decent coder, but I suck at the design side.

Roy forwarded me his spreadsheet so I started with that. The one thing I'd be interested in what people think is how to represent the tunings. The spreadsheet has both "gDGBD" and "g" and "gCGCD" "c2". In other words it varies between the full tuning and its "name". Also, it doesn't give the key, so Soldier's Joy shows as "c2" although, it's really "d2" or "aDADE".

Thoughts?

Scott

ZEPP - Posted - 12/13/2010:  08:04:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by slabounty

doesn't give the key, so Soldier's Joy shows as "c2" although, it's really "d2" or "aDADE".

Thoughts?

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I would respectfully suggest that "Key" and Tuning," be separate fields.

A "Comment" field might also be helpful for capoing instructions or the like. E.g., I frequently capo the long strings but never the 5th string (important for when it's fretted) and therefore give tunings such as "aCGCD capoed to aDADE".

Cheers,
ZEPP

LyleK - Posted - 12/13/2010:  09:28:31

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quote:

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Originally posted by slabounty
The spreadsheet has both "gDGBD" and "g" and "gCGCD" "c2". In other words it varies between the full tuning and its "name". Also, it doesn't give the key, so Soldier's Joy shows as "c2" although, it's really "d2" or "aDADE".

Thoughts?

Scott

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My strong preference (hey, it's only an opinion!) would be to have the tuning of each string and not worry about capos, etc. With varying scale lengths, some will use a capo, others won't. So for example, I sometimes play F tunes using a regular scale-length banjo tuned to fCGCD with a capo at the 5th fret, but if I had a banjeaurine (never sure whether you are supposed to peel those or play them) I wouldn't need to use a capo. Abbreviations (like "c2") might have made sense when file size limits were an issue, but those abbreviations can lead to confusion. Arguably, for a minority of banjo players "g" tuning usually means gDGDE or gEADE, not gDGBD.

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/13/2010:  14:20:18

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I believe that the more information given the better so I would vote for

1 Key
2 Pitch of each string presented in a 5,4,3,2,1, format so G tuning would be gDGBD.
3 Tuning Name -G, C, Double C, F, et
4 Capo position for a normally tuned banjo

Since this is only going to be a list of tunes we probably don't need to go into it too heavily.

Since some of the tabs are self published somewhere in the spreadsheet should be a contact address for those of us who are not published by HAL Bey.
Perhaps for example, the website of the tabber, or whatever contact that tabber wishes to have in the spreadsheet. I certainly wouldn't mind having my email addy in a Cell - especially if it was clickable.

slabounty - Posted - 12/13/2010:  17:22:27

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OK, try this ... freezing-sunset-75.heroku.com/index. It's hosted for free so the performance may not be that great. Also, it's based completely on the spreadsheet Roy provided, but hey ... it's a start. Let me know what you think. I'll probably do some work on it including putting the full tuning in in place of the "g" and "c2". Maybe a few other things too.

Scott

drew-gurbach - Posted - 12/13/2010:  18:44:35

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I’m not a big tab fan, but I do use tab a lot. Huh? You Say??? I know, sounds goofy. I like tab for a reference and a memory jogger. I also have some three ringed binders with “stuff” in them. Here’s MY idea: this year: I’ve decided to work on one new song a week. First week- a song that‘s title starts with the letter “A”, next week, a song’s who’s title starts with the letter “B”, etc. I print out the tab, put it in a three ring binder, then go for it. And get this, I’m currently on the letter “M”. And when I want to practice these new songs, it’s pretty easy to remember- the “A” song, now the “B” song, now the “C” song, and practice them all up to the current “M” song. Just the way I do it. I think I just got tired of sitting down to practice and actually forgetting the titles of songs I’ve known for a long time and eventually, these songs get rusty.

slabounty - Posted - 12/13/2010:  19:18:33

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OK, the first modification. The tunings are now fully printed out as in gCGCD rather than c2.

If you'd like to contribute, let me know and I'll send you the CSV format that I'm using (which is the same as what Roy sent me from the original).

Scott

slabounty - Posted - 12/13/2010:  19:27:01

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Looks like I'm missing the page in the display (it's in the database though). I'll have to fix it some other time though.

Scott

xixiant - Posted - 12/14/2010:  09:09:32

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I'd be in! I don't have a ton of books, but am relatively fluid with databases.

One easy way of sidestepping the whole Excel vs Open Office debate would be to put it on Google Docs--they have a spreadsheet program that's very similar to both platforms and would translate either one seamlessly. I'd be happy to put it up or update it. It'd also make it an incredibly collaborative venture--anyone would be able to go to the hyperlink and access it without any hassle.

I think a basic template is a good idea. It'd also be so easy to include a bit more information, if it were available.

Building on Old Woodchuck B's idea, I think we should include:

1 Book
2 Name of the tune
3 Key
4 Pitch of each string presented in a 5,4,3,2,1, format so G tuning would be gDGBD.
5 Tuning Name -G, C, Double C, F, et
6 Capo position for a normally tuned banjo
5 BHO member who entered the data (without compromising the privacy of folks who no longer want to be named)
7 Playing style (if it's not clawhammer--for those of us who're looking for nice fingerpicking tunes)

Eh?

slabounty - Posted - 12/14/2010:  10:42:34

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OK, I've made a few more changes including putting in the full tuning as given in the spreadsheet and adding the page number.

I'm still looking for some feedback on how this looks as a first pass.

Scott

slabounty - Posted - 12/14/2010:  15:11:30

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One more feature added, you can now select by tuning.

Scott

BANJOJUDY - Posted - 12/14/2010:  16:00:45

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I've been really busy and haven't been following this thread (although I admit, I did start it) - but I thought I was going to figure out the best template and get it to others once things get back to normal (after the 1st of the year).

I realize many are excited about this project, and I don't care if I am coordinating it or not, but we need to have just ONE person in charge of this so we don't get carried away with multiple spreadsheets.

I propose ONE format be used and that that format be sent to anyone who volunteers to do one or several volumes of tunes.

Now, if I don't have to be in charge, and can simply add some info to a template that someone else (Slabounty - you volunteering) - I have no problem with that.

So, what are we going to be doing?

slabounty - Posted - 12/14/2010:  18:11:36

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Well ... I've already put up a web site with the information from the original spreadsheet provided by Roy. I thought a single place that could be kept up to date might be nice. So, I guess I'm volunteering for at least that part. If others would like a spreadsheet, I'm good with that too, but I'll probably keep the web site up with that.

The current spreadsheet has for the books:

"Book ID","Title","Author_Surname","Author_Fname","Date","Publisher","Intl. Std. Book No.","Address","Citation"

and for the tunes:

"Book ID","Citation","Page","Tuning","Title"

This has a few limitations (multiple authors, no spot for capo/key for tuning, and though they specify alternate titles for tunes, it's pretty clunky). If anyone wants to provide the information, I'll put it in the database that the web site uses (just about any format with the information I should be able to work with). I'll probably put in the information from RD's books (I owe the man big time) and for Steve Parker's book as I believe he's going to provide the appropriate information.

As to the web site, it needs quite a few things (pretty formatting, sorting, and possibly outputting to a CSV file) and I'll be working on them as I go along.

What else?

Scott

slabounty - Posted - 12/15/2010:  07:42:15

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Did whomever moved this read the posts? This really doesn't seem to me to be the place for it. It's proper spot is over in the Clawhammer section where it started. The discussion is about indexing clawhammer tab books, not asking for or discussing tabs provided here on the Banjo Hangout.

Scott

Clawdan - Posted - 12/27/2010:  15:53:39

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Mods,
Please return this to the clawhammer other topics section where it started and where it was getting lots of attention. Took weeks to find it.
play nice,
dan

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/27/2010:  16:19:31

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I'm with the others. This is a "Learning Advice - Claw & Old Time" or even "Other Banjo Related - Claw & Old Time" more than the Tab forum which is where people ask for specific tabs of specific tunes (almost always).

There is a difference between Old Timers and Bluegrassers - we old timers find that a general heading covers the ground. I quite frankly still don't see a reason for the Other Banjo Related Forums (buy that I mean the forums specifiacally named Other Banjo Related etc). In the tiny world of Old Time the accouncement of a concert or CD or new book, new banjo, where are there any jams, Whatever. Is all part of of a student's journey to Banjohood. In fact I wish the Old Time Forum would also involve other instruments. Instead of building new hangouts there should be an overall Hangout for OT with forums for learning specific instruments.

I haven't the time to check out other hangouts. I find the whole idea of separate (even if equal) hangouts to be a bit OCS. Don't want 'the peas to touch the smashed taters' sort of attitude. While I know that overall OT sites have failed so far it seems that by starting with some linked forums in OT - like one about stringband playing that displayed on Fiddle, Flatpicking guitar and Harmonica at very least, we could get some real synergy and have a real "Hangout". Not all of my "real" friends are banjo players, and while I like talking to banjo players, I prefer playing with fiddlers.

Perhaps this is a subject for the "Suggestions and Improvements forum". I will repost the pertaining bits of this diatribe there later tonight. I know MY suggestion will simply disappear soon, but if others who have an interest in the subject were to chime in we might get an actual discussion going and either talk our local Authority Figure into something like that or perhaps begin a long slow spin-off on our own,

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Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 12/27/2010 20:24:17

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/27/2010:  20:05:09

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It's back in the Old Time forums - Thank you masked moderator!



I still think my idea for an Old Time forum that smushes together all the old time instruments is workable and will bring it to the Suggestions and Improvements forum tomorrow. All those in favour please back me up. All those with a better idea chime in. All those who hate the very thought of the banjo touching the fiddle or the guitar - well, I guess your input has merit, but I hope we can come up with something that isn't so tight that it only allows banjo and essentially un-welcomes other musicians. I feel that the Hangouts are the best (most alive) forums for this sort of smush together, but if Eric isn't interested beforehand, we will have to "work up" some enthusiasm for the idea!

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/27/2010:  20:21:33

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I also think (I've got a big mind and it is always coming up with new sh-tuff for other people to do.

The spreadsheet/database needs a "notes" cell, where one can add anything that relates to the tab - like difficulty or an address for buying self-published tabs, or if the book is "IP" In Print or "OOP" Out Of Print, at the time the list is published to the web.

At least one "Alt Title" column would be nice
As would a "Country of Origin". I have a few actual Irish tunes in my full collection, and a couple of Scots tunes. I know Ken Perlman has done a lot of "foreign" music tabs, and it would be nice - although not a necessity - but it would serve to explain titles like "She Begs For S'mores" showing up in the list - or even "Meadowlands" which is a Russian folksong tabbed in one Perlman book..

Perhaps an Author column for newly written tunes like "Waiting For Nancy".

The thing is that no one would be required to fill in any column where they didn't know the full information but with an editor - people could update the list including adding info they know. All would have to go through the editor boss lord high executioner lord of the files to go to the website, or unto the mailing list - whatever the final form takes.

blanham - Posted - 12/28/2010:  05:19:09

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quote:

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Originally posted by slabounty

OK, I've made a few more changes including putting in the full tuning as given in the spreadsheet and adding the page number.

I'm still looking for some feedback on how this looks as a first pass.

Scott

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I think the web site is really good for a start, and already very useful! Thanks!

Since you asked for feedback, I noticed there are 9 tunes from chapter 4 of the Miles Krassen book which should be categorized as A tunes, in aEAC#E, but are listed as gDGBD. I know a capo can fix it, but the book specifies A tuning.

Grey Eagle, Boatsman, Nancy Ann, Brown's Dream, Salt River, Shortnin' Bread, Soldier with a Wooden Leg, Old Mother Flanagan, Dinah

Clawdan - Posted - 12/28/2010:  05:34:08

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Thanks for the return to ch. Carry on.
Play nice,
Dan
Clawdan.com

stevel - Posted - 12/28/2010:  08:29:05

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looks good so far. only suggestion i have is that Art Rosenbaum's Old Time Mountain Banjo is missing the tune Cold Creek March. Probably cuz its not listed in the table of contents.

slabounty - Posted - 12/30/2010:  19:14:56

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Just saw that this got moved back to its proper place. Thanks to the mod who did this. OK, I've been working on it a bit this week and also have Steve Parker's Book and both of RD Lunceford's books included. I've gone back and forth on the tunings but for the ones that were included in the original spreadsheet, I left them as is. For Cold Creek March, could someone give me the tuning and page and I'll add that in.

Anyone a web designer that can help out here? I know my design skills on my best day totally suck.

Anyone want to provide more books? If you're an author and can provide me with information (electronic is best) on your book I'd be glad to put it in.

What else would everyone like to see included? Steve P. suggested that I put a link to an author's site which I'll probably add soon. Anything else anyone would like to see? The ability to comment on books? Individual tunes? Something else?

Scott

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 12/30/2010:  20:17:19

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I like the "link to author's site" idea since it is actually my only connection to the real world. I wonder if we could drag the Minstrel players into this and add "Stroke style" to the stack? I know the reprints of the old tutors are increasing all the time, some even in tab - what quality that tab is I don't know. It would be kind of nice to see what is available in what format.

This might not be the place for it, but I wonder if there would be a way to classify the quality of rhythmic indication in the tab. Ken Perlman, Dan, Bluesage, Pete Seeger and I all use absolutely FULL rhythm, but there are many tabs that just have numbers in boxes and leave you to get the rhythm off the floppy record that was stapled into the book 25 years ago, and is long gone now. Perhaps something to indicate if there is a recording or MIDI to go with the tab. I remember trying to read some tabs that had measure bars in insane locations, and others that used colours to indicate note values.

In fact there should be one simple box that would indicate Tabs built to the Music notation standard, those 5 stalwart gentlemen named above all use, or go the othere directions and put a [X] indication for all those clever but truly bizarre and unreadable bad ideas floating about in the wonderful world of itinerant music teachers. I know this begins to look like a quality judgement but I know I will never can't recommend any tab book that is not fully music notation compatible - none whatsoever.

I also wonder if we can't use the compiled list on an Old Time Music hangout - which does not yet exist, but I've proposed one based on the rapid and positive co-operation I've seen on this subject. I don't think too many outsiders are quite so happy at the thought yet, so if you find the idea interesting take a look in "Improvements & Suggestions ---- it is the second to last forum on the All Forums list --- waaay down there below Games.

banjo_brad - Posted - 12/31/2010:  10:26:18

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Scott -

I believe the tune is "Coal Creek March," not Cold Creek March. It is on page 32 of "Old Time Mountain Banjo" and is tabbed in the key of D, tuning= f#DF#AD.

It is also tabbed as a thumb lead two-finger style.

-B-

slabounty - Posted - 12/31/2010:  12:16:23

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Brad, Thanks for the input! It's in the database and should appear the next time I do an update.

Scott

slabounty - Posted - 01/03/2011:  05:55:34

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OK folks, a few more updates ... I fixed the Krassen tunes except for "Soldier with a Wooden Leg" which I couldn't find. @blanham, did you mean a different tune or author here? I also added the tunes in the Appendix for Parker's book minus the pages. Right now the pages are numbers and won't accept say "A-17".

Anyone have anything else?

Any authors want to provide information on their books? Give me publishing information, title/tuning/page, and you too can get into the database! Dan/MaryZ, I'm looking at you!

Scott

stevel - Posted - 01/03/2011:  06:04:03

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quote:

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Originally posted by banjo_brad

Scott -

I believe the tune is "Coal Creek March," not Cold Creek March. It is on page 32 of "Old Time Mountain Banjo" and is tabbed in the key of D, tuning= f#DF#AD.

It is also tabbed as a thumb lead two-finger style.

-B-

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Yup, my bad. thx for clarifying.

steve

banjo_brad - Posted - 01/03/2011:  15:14:18

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Krassen's "Soldier with a Wooden Leg" is on page 61 of his Clawhammer Banjo book. He says A is the most common key (which is how he tabs it), but he did hear Lee Triplett fiddle a version in D.

-B-

(The excel file I forwarded to Banjo Judy should have had this tune in it, if you got a copy from her. I have about 360 tunes from half a dozen or so books in my list.)

Like blanham said, my edition (copyright 1974 Oak Publications) lists "Red Haired Boy" as an alternate title. The "Soldier" title is what is listed in my copy.

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Edited by - banjo_brad on 01/03/2011 17:36:17