Mooooo - Posted - 03/31/2018:  09:52:35

I see a lot of requests for Tabs here in this section, some of them are well thought out and very specific, and others are very ambiguous. People who ask for specific things usually are rewarded with what they ask for, while those who ask for Tab in the most general of terms are usually met with a lot of questions and head shaking. Here are some things that may help someone to get what they want.



1. If you want a tab of a song from a specific artist, then give us the name of that artist along with the name of the song and link a video or an mp3 that has the version that you want. This way if some nice person decides to create a tab for you, they won't be wasting the hours it may take by tabbing out something you may not want.

2. If you don't have a preference of a specific version/recording of a song, then let everyone know what style of banjo you play. Bluegrass, Clawhammer, 2 and 3 finger Old-Time, 4-String Jazz, 4-String Irish and Classic Style are all approached differently.

3. If you want a tab of some song or tune that doesn't have banjo in it then you should also let everyone know what style of banjo you play in addition to your skill level. Maybe you want Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen for beginner Clawhammer, or an intermediate Scruggs version of On the Road Again by Willie Nelson, or an advanced 4-String Jazz version of Take the A train by Duke Ellington.

4. When you request your tab, put meaningful information in the title of your post so that people will open it and read it. When I see the title of a post and it says "Tab Requested" or "Question" without any further information, I skip over that post. At least write the name of the song and the style you want or the name of the song and the artist. Such as: "Tab for Down the Road by JD Crowe" or "Clawhammer tab for Loch Lomond"

5. If you want to be able to sing with your tab, tell us what key you want it in.



Just some basic Ideas. Anyone else have any good ideas?

Edited by - Mooooo on 07/18/2018 17:01:25

n1wr - Posted - 03/31/2018:  09:57:43

Mike - Not so much good ideas, but a shout out to you and the many others that have contributed to the great collection of TABs here on BHO. I am truly impressed with the ability that you guys have to pick out the tunes and translate them into a useful tool. Thanks to you and the many others that perform this great service.

pickn5 - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:10:10

I second what Wayne wrote.

thisoldman - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:15:10

If I were to request a tab, I would do all the things in the original post, plus looked online at the guitar tab sites to if the tune is there and see what the key is and chords are, and provide a link to that site. Like Wayne, I am impressed with those of you who take the time and who are able to develop these arrangements. And, personally, I would offer to provide a small compensation to the arranger (if that is legal) for his/her time, or perhaps an offer to donate to the charity of that person's choice, or maybe offer to make a donation to the Hangout in that person's name. I have no problem buying books of tab, or even for arrangements some people offer for sale, so if I request a specific tab I would have no problem offering something for the work involved.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:17:42

Mike, you have lots of good ideas, however, putting them into action is another problem.

New members come on and ask for "a tab" of "their favorite song", by "their favorite singer/performer" and want exactly, note for note, that tab. Most beginners have no idea how much time it takes to do just that. Most experienced tabbers aren't interested in tabbing out note for note FREE. I don't blame them.

Many newcomers have no idea whether they like bluegrass, clawhammer, jazz, etc., they just "like the sound" of this particular song and played in that particular way. They wouldn't know to ask for a genre of music.

Most beginners don't realize they are still beginners (some do, some don't) and ask for a tab to a song that's way too difficult for their experience and don't understand why they can't play it if it is tabbed for them. Many who have played a couple of years think they are in the intermediate range but again, don't have the experience to play more difficult tabs. Bela's tabs come to mind here. (No offense to him, he's a great picker but not easy to learn for newbies).

Getting people to give more and better information for the tabbers won't be easy. I like your ideas, they are well thought out and very good ideas.

Now, do you have any suggestions on how to get such information out to all beginners from now on? Don't say a sticky at the top of the forum because most newcomers don't read the rules and regulations, much less check out stickies. Information could be put in the Help/FAQ section, but again, most people don't read that unless they are looking for something specific.

Jack Baker - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:24:14

Excellent Post Sherry,

You've hit the nail right on the head...Jack

Brian T - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:37:28

I pay for talent. Every time. To me, requesting a TAB is no different than getting my truck repaired.
Over the years, I've bought some pieces that I really enjoy playing (and got some good repairs, too).

And: I don't own the copyrights so I can't give any of it away.

rickhayes - Posted - 03/31/2018:  10:40:13

If you make this post a sticky, then, when those who write tabs come across an ambiguous request, they can refer the requester to the sticky and hopefully the requester can then provide the specifics and the tab writers, if they choose to do the work, have something specific to work on. BTW, I also commend all of you tabbers, even though I rarely use them myself.

Edited by - rickhayes on 03/31/2018 10:41:06

eagleisland - Posted - 03/31/2018:  13:07:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by rickhayes

If you make this post a sticky, then, when those who write tabs come across an ambiguous request, they can refer the requester to the sticky and hopefully the requester can then provide the specifics and the tab writers, if they choose to do the work, have something specific to work on. BTW, I also commend all of you tabbers, even though I rarely use them myself.

---

I agree. The title is pretty self explanatory. Being the OP of several 'stickied' threads I know people don't always read them, but I gather that enough do to cut down on the number of repeat posts. Making this thread a sticky doesn't mean we won't see the same issues arise, but I'll bet they arise less, and I think pinning this one to the top makes sense.

conic - Posted - 03/31/2018:  14:27:07

make a sticky, what will it cost.

Hats off to the tabbers. I now know how awesome they are,
I paid for an have been learning tabledit since Christmas, its as much fun as playing the banjo but it takes your life over and only then you realize exactly how much effort the pros put into it

yatesuser - Posted - 03/31/2018:  20:08:22

Could anybody write out how you play that one song I heard done by somebody who was famous a long time ago... but I'm not sure if he was playing a 5 string bluegrass style or clawhammer. Thanks in advance!!!!

lol

Edited by - yatesuser on 03/31/2018 20:09:25

phb - Posted - 04/01/2018:  02:13:54

"Just some basic Ideas. Anyone else have any good ideas?"

6. remember that asking somebody to tab something for you is like somebody asking you to clean their house... ;)

Mooooo - Posted - 04/01/2018:  09:44:18

I guess a please and thank you might be in order too, although not necessary, it's nice to see that after asking for something (asking, not demanding) that they are at least attempting to play the tune that someone has spent hours figuring out and then putting into their computer. I have made some tabs and when I finish them, put them in the post that asked for them and haven't heard a thing from the Original Poster. Not a thanks, not even a "Like"....makes you wonder about peoples manners.

CosmicCharlie24 - Posted - 04/01/2018:  11:37:53

We'll I'm certainly grateful and appreciative of all the hard and thoughtful work the contributors do on this site. Especialy David Brooks! He is a true gentleman who has helped push my banjo playing along. Thanks a ton!!!

Mooooo - Posted - 04/28/2018:  11:11:22

Don't be too shy to request a tab, but be prepared for no responses.

hoodoo - Posted - 04/30/2018:  17:46:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by conic

make a sticky, what will it cost.



Hats off to the tabbers. I now know how awesome they are,

I paid for an have been learning tabledit since Christmas, its as much fun as playing the banjo but it takes your life over and only then you realize exactly how much effort the pros put into it

---

I also recently purchased tabledit. I've tabbed a couple of songs, but it is really time consuming, so hats off to all of those who take the time to help others

MikeChase - Posted - 05/07/2018:  08:08:30

thanks Mooooo for the advice, im constructing a request right now.

MikeChase - Posted - 05/07/2018:  08:09:24

Just want to get through the 3 post spam thing.

Just bought my banjo last week and am excited to join a banjo community.

MikeChase - Posted - 05/07/2018:  08:09:43

Last one :)

janolov - Posted - 05/20/2018:  09:46:15

I think this thread needs a better position than on the second page.

My message will be that that most tunes have not ever been tabbed out, because all good musicians work more with the ear and playing hands than with the eye and writing hand.

Mooooo - Posted - 05/20/2018:  10:30:53

Good musicians write tab too. See Bela Fleck and Noam Pikelny, they don't post them here though.

Mooooo - Posted - 07/15/2018:  17:33:14

Some recent requests could benefit from this topic, I think.