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Notation Archives

The Bass Guitarist’s Guide to Reading Music
Sheet Music & Instruction

The Bass Guitarist’s Guide to Reading Music

Stuart Clayton has authored three new books for Bassline Publishing’s Bass Essentials series, aimed at helping bassists master the fundamentals of reading music. The Bass Guitarist’s Guide to Reading Music includes beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, to allow bassists to choose the ones best suited to their current skill level. Each book features audio tracks, via downloads from the publisher’s...

Songsterr: A Look at the Tab Player for iOS and Android
Apps

Songsterr: A Look at the Tab Player for iOS and Android

While I am a big proponent of learning to read notation, I do agree that tab can be extremely useful, especially to the beginning musician. Tab has its place and its usefulness is undeniable, so I was looking forward to checking out the Songsterr Tab app on my iPad and iPhone. Man. I wish I had this when I was...

Getting Started with the Nashville Number System
Ask Damian Erskine

Getting Started with the Nashville Number System

Q: I am classically trained, so I’m used to Roman numerals to designate chords (I, IV, V7, etc.). I have become aware of lead sheets using numbers 1, 4, 5’ 1/5). Are you aware of any music I could download that uses this system? A: What you’re referring to is the Nashville Number system. The good news is that it’s...

Bass Sight: A Look at the Notation and Fretboard Training App for iOS
Apps

Bass Sight: A Look at the Notation and Fretboard Training App for iOS

Bass Sight is a nice addition to the handful of apps that already exist to help those who wish to learn how to read music notation and/or better know their fretboard. Combining both training for reading notation and learning the fretboard, the app offers up a layout which is simple and to the point. The app presents a fretboard diagram...

Notion: A Look at the Music Notation Software for iPad
Apps

Notion: A Look at the Music Notation Software for iPad

As you may recall, I reviewed Symphony Pro late last year and hailed it as a good start and the best we have available to us for notating music on the iPad. I believe that Notion may have just raised the bar. I found that the actual act of notation on Notion was far more intuitive and a bit quicker...

Rhythms and Transcriptions: A How To Guide to Notating Rhythmic Patterns
Ask Damian Erskine

Rhythms and Transcriptions: A How To Guide to Notating Rhythmic Patterns

Q: I have a question about transcribing. I’m a pretty skilled player and can read, but I have a lot of problems writing down the rhythms that I hear either in my head or from a particular song. Any suggestions on how I should go about learning to notate more difficult rhythms? A: Rhythms can be tricky when you’re first...

Reading Requirements: Bass and Treble Clef?
Ask Damian Erskine

Reading Requirements: Bass and Treble Clef?

Q: I can already read treble clef fairly instinctively, having played the clarinet for years. I started playing jazz (on bass) a few months ago, and now can find my way around most lead sheets, but my question is: should I bother to learn bass clef, when treble clef feels more natural to me? I rarely have a need to...