https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/how-to-read-mandolin-tab-mandolin-beginner
If you’re gonna learn to pick on the mandolin, it sure helps to know how to read tabs. There are two basic parts of reading tabs: 1) The notes themselves, 2) The timing of each note!
Question for you @BanjoBen or anyone else for that matter… at around 3:10 in this video when you are working through measure 11 - why does the quarter note rest get a broken stem as opposed to a stem that goes all the way to the rest mark. It seems like that contradicts the rule about stems that apply to notes being played where a broken stem indicates a half note and full stem that indicates a quarter note. Hopefully that question makes sense… and I apologize for my ignorance if I am missing something basic here or just overthinking it in general (a common issue for me). Thanks all!
Great question, that’s just the way the TablEdit software does it, which can be frustrating at times. It is a quarter note rest.
Dumb question; What’s a TEF tab file and how do you view one?
They are interactive files run in the TablEdit or TefView program, and they allow you to play back the tab at different speeds, loop it, etc. They’re great practice tools! Check this out:
Hi @WaltK Walter
No question posted on here is dumb. If you have a query we will do out best to furnish you with an answer or a solution to your problem.
Just so you know the video link that @Michael_Mark posted is from the old website. The current website looks a lot different and the TABs both PDF and TEF files can be found on the same page as the lesson. Just scroll down below the video and the TABs are on the right below them are the MP3 Audio files
TY, Archie. Which app would you recommend for someone who just wants to view or hear the tabs from Banjo Ben’s lessons?
There are 2 different tab files that I offer. First a PDF, which is great for simply viewing or printing. Second, I offer the TEF tab file which allows your computer to play the tab file, control its speed, etc. You can see how that works in the video posted just above by Michael.
TEFview is your best bet as it’s free. Tabledit allows you to edit and write your own tabs, but if you don’t need that, TEFView should do just fine.
Thanks, Ben,
I just started (last week) to play mandolin (purchased last week from the general store – Jake). Would I benefit from the St Petersburg camp in March? ( I live about an hour and a half from St Pete). BTW I think the online lessons are great).
Walt
Thanks a bunch, Mike.
TEFView is the FREE tool. TablEdit is the tool for creating and editing TABs. Both are excellent I use the latter because I edit lots of tabs.
Thanks for your support! Yes! You would benefit! It will be a smaller class and it will inspire you to keep playing and get better. Come join us!