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Help me figure out my problem with chord tab??


FlatFive

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Posted

Take this tab for example, Sex and Candy.. http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/m/marcy_playground/sex_and_candy_crd.htm

 

 

This song should be completely within my skill level. I have no problem fingering any of theses chords, I could do it in my sleep, but for some reason I can not take a tab like that and make it sound anything like the song.

 

I'm not sure where my problem is. I think it has to do with not being familiar with the changes, and exactly how to strum it, and issues like that.

 

When I see something like that are the beats per chord usually uniform?? For example 4 beats on B, 4 beats on G, 4 beats on F#, through out that part of the song?

Posted

When I see something like that are the beats per chord usually uniform?? For example 4 beats on B, 4 beats on G, 4 beats on F#, through out that part of the song?

 

 

Those formats are inherently difficult to read because they're so unspecific. Generally, chords do tend to move at a uniform rate, but not always. Every now and then a chord might last twice as long, or it might double up and there will be two chords for the length that most of the others last. The only thing you can really do is just listen along with the song and try to follow the chart, counting out when and where each of the chord changes happen in relation to the beat.

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Posted

Those formats are inherently difficult to read because they're so unspecific. Generally, chords do tend to move at a uniform rate, but not always. Every now and then a chord might last twice as long, or it might double up and there will be two chords for the length that most of the others last. The only thing you can really do is just listen along with the song and try to follow the chart, counting out when and where each of the chord changes happen in relation to the beat.

 

 

 

Yeah I understand that it could be..

 

8 beats on B, 4 beats on G, 4 beats on F#

 

Or some different number of beats/per chord or whatever. my main question really was does it usually stay uniform?

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Posted

First of all, what your are looking at is not a "tab", except for this snippet at the bottom of the page:

THE RIFF: (h=hammer on, p=pull off)

e|------------------------------------|

B|------------------------------------|

G|--2-h4--2-------------------4-------|

D|-------------2-h4--2--p0----4-------|

A|----------------------------2-------|

E|------------------------------------|





That is the only part in tabulature. The rest is a chord chart with words. Albiet a poorly written chord chart with no timing or rhythm notation at all, as pointed out by poparad.

It has some notation for the chord voicings:

B - x244xx G - 355xxx F# - 244xxx

D - x0023x A - x022xx



But also, different chord voicings (mostly open) come up when I put my mouse pointer over each chord on the page.

So, when confronted with a crappy written edition of a song, what you need to do is use it as a loose guide and do a lot of listening. Also, realize that someone who is going to notate out something in such a lame form might not have the best aural skills to start with, so don't be suprised if there are errors.



my main question really was does it usually stay uniform?




Not necessarily. This is part of where you have to listen and make some decisions on your own.

Posted

 

Yeah I understand that it could be..


8 beats on B, 4 beats on G, 4 beats on F#


Or some different number of beats/per chord or whatever. my main question really was does it usually stay uniform?

 

 

In most rock/pop songs, there's a tendency for things to change every 4 beats. Some songs are different, but either way, there's usually a "normal" number of beats for a chord, with spots here and there in the song that break away from that for variety.

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Posted

Knowing the song and taking a quick look, it's actually pretty accurate if you sing along while you are playing. The chords do pretty much change with the word they are written over.

The problem is if you are trying to just play the rhythm and count, there's no real point of reference. My advice would be to use the chords as a base to help you play along with the recording.

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Posted

From my experience don't get married with a tab. And trust your ears, if you think the tab doesn't sound anything like the song just drop it.

 

Try to watch a youtube video or so if you want more accurate (hopefully) playing.

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