“I'd like to learn some of Tyler Childers's songs, but cannot find anything for the violin. Specifically Lady May right now but eventually would like to learn his entire Long Violent History album. I can find guitar tabs but that's about it. Is there a way to convert guitar tabs to sheet music?”
For those with time and knowledge in both tablature and traditional notation, you can convert tabs to sheet music manually. While feasible, it can be time-consuming. Wondering if there's a quicker solution? Yes, there are tools designed for this exact purpose. In this guide, we'll explore 2 efficient ones for converting guitar tabs to sheet music. Read on to discover how these tools can streamline your musical journey!
Overview: Tablature and Sheet Music
Tablature, commonly known as "tab," is a method of music notation specifically designed for plucked instruments such as guitar, bass, banjo, and others. Tabs indicate directly on which string and fret to play specific notes, making it easier for beginners as it does not require the ability to read traditional sheet music. However, tablature is limited to certain stringed instruments and does not effectively convey musical elements such as rhythm, dynamics, and playing techniques.
In contrast, traditional sheet music, represented on a staff of five lines, is a globally recognized music notation system. It accurately depicts all musical details, including pitch, rhythm, dynamics, articulations, and performance techniques. It applies to nearly all musical instruments and vocal performances. Therefore, if your instrument is not suited for tablature or if you seek a more comprehensive understanding of the music, you can convert tabs to sheet music.
1. Convert Guitar Tabs to Sheet Music with Online Tool
If you want to avoid manual conversion of tablature to sheet music, try TabNabber. This online tool lets you convert guitar tabs, piano scores, and sheet music effortlessly. Despite its slightly outdated interface, it's user-friendly. Additionally, TabNabber provides instructional resources for beginners, including articles on reading guitar tabs, piano tabs, and sheet music.
Although the website's forum still sees some activity from users, it hasn't been updated since October 2020, so you might not find the latest support if you encounter any issues during usage. But you can still give it a try, as it is free to use.
Step 1. Open the TabNabber website and click "Convert Tabs to Sheet Music" in the blue menu bar on the left side of the page.
Step 2. Then, in the "Other converters" section on the right side of the new page, select "Guitar Tab->Sheet Music."
Step 3. Next, you can type or paste your guitar tab into the input box. Finally, click on "Convert to Sheet Music."
2. Convert Tablature to Sheet Music via Free Desktop Software
If you find online tools with advertisements and potential security concerns, you can try downloading the desktop software MuseScore. This is an open-source program that allows users to enjoy all its features without restrictions and free of charge. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. As a professional music notation software, MuseScore enables users to compose, edit, print, and play music scores, as well as convert between different types of notations.
Step 1. Download and install MuseScore. Launch it and register an account. If your guitar tab is in PDF format, click the "File" option in the top-left menu bar and select "Import PDF."
Step 2. Click on "Select PDF file" and upload your file. Later when it's finished, click on the "Download" button on the right to get the .mcsz file and open it.
Step 3. Click on "Edit" in the top-left menu bar and then select "Instruments." In the first box on the left, type "Piano," then click "Add to Score" and "OK."
Step 4. Copy and paste the notes from the guitar tab onto the staff for the piano below. Once done, click "Edit" > "Instruments", select "Guitar", and click "Remove from score" in the middle to delete the guitar tab.
Step 5. Finally, save the sheet music as a PDF file by going to the "File" menu and selecting "Save as PDF."
Related Article:
- 2 Easy Steps to Convert Music to Tab [Full Guide]
- How to Convert Sheet Music to MIDI [Really Work!]
Bonus: Convert Audio Files to Sheet Music
You may have many favorite songs, but you might not always have the guitar tabs for each one. In this case, as music notation tools like MuseScore are also audio to music sheet converters, you can directly save songs from streaming platforms as audio files, and then use the mentioned tools to convert them to sheet music.
Then, how to get your target audio songs? TuneFab All-in-One Converter is here to help. As the name suggests, it integrates web players for most streaming music platforms, allowing you to drag and drop to download music playlists from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc. as MP3s to your device. The downloads will preserve high quality and be well-managed with ID3 info. Afterward, you can import them for sheet music conversion without hassle.
Conclusion
This article presents 2 methods for converting tabs to sheet music: online tools and professional desktop software. Each converter offers unique advantages, catering to diverse user needs. Additionally, a tip is provided: if you don't have guitar tabs, you can use TuneFab All-in-One Converter to download songs from Spotify or other platforms, and then import them for conversion. Get the best fit and enjoy your music journey!
