Standardization of Typewritten
Non-Graphic
Horizontal Tablature Notation
The lack of a standardized format for writing tablature in a horizontal format (as has become common on the Internet) has created some problems in reading and understanding such tablature. The International Tinwhistle Standards Association of the Tinwhistle Fingerings Research Center has proposed the following standardized method for writing such tablature:
E:XXX|XOO F#1
This example tablature would be read from left to right as [E]mbrochure, separated by a colon [:], followed by the first three fingering positions [in this case, X for covered], followed by a dividing line [|], followed by the second three finger positions [in this case, X and O O], followed by the name of the note and the octave, indicated by number.
Standardized tablature codes would be:
E = Embouchure
X = Covered
O = Uncovered
H = Half Covered
S = Shaded
g = Grace Note
t = Tap
# = Sharp
b = Flat
1 = 1st Octave
2 = 2nd Octave
3 = 3rd Octave
| = Divider between hand position
: = Divider between embouchure and first hand position
