vextab

[vonbiber]

https://github.com/0xfe/vextab
VexTab is a language that allows you to easily create, edit,
and share standard notation and guitar tablature.

It's written in JavaScript. I downloaded one file and
tweaked it a bit to add other instruments:
mandolin, ukulele, tenor guitar.

Here's an example done on my computer (offline) to produce
a ukulele tablature.

The screenshots

This one shows both standard notation and tablature below:


This screenshot shows the tablature only:


You'll notice at the bottom of the page, there's an area
(in green) where you can edit the page.

You can save the result as a png image.

There's a tutorial showing the capabilities of vextab here:
http://vexflow.com/vextab/tutorial.html

[Jim Garber]

Does this actually generate tab notation from the standard ones or do you have to manually code each? I mostly use ABC notation to do standard notation for single line tunes. I assume this might be better suited for actually creating notation for use in books and scores?

[vonbiber]

Does this actually generate tab notation from the standard ones or do you have to manually code each? I mostly use ABC notation to do standard notation for single line tunes. I assume this might be better suited for actually creating notation for use in books and scores?

\You have to manually enter code.
The notes can either be entered as string/fret, e.g., 3/5 for third string fifth fret or note/octave.
The result is much better than the ASCII tabs, but I wouldn't use it for typesetting a book.
musescore or lilypond are much better for that.
I too start with an abc file and convert it to lilypond files to get a pdf output.

But this might interest people who can't install musescore, lilypond... Basically you just need
an html browser with javascript-enabled. You can do this offline too. Also you can edit the score
and get an immediate result...

[vonbiber]

Jim,

I didn't answer completely your question.
Yes, the same code gets you both the standard and the tab notation.
Then you choose whether you want to display standard and tab together,
or tab only or score only.

[BillyEllison]

This is really cool! I am getting my degree as a Software Engineer but am very new to coding. I love that this will combine coding with my love for music. I will get to practice both coding and messing with tablature. Thank you so much for sharing this!