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Piano and Keyboard tabs

Play keyboard music without having to translate notes from a staff!
 
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I've played piano for all my life (18 years minus a few I guess), and I still have trouble reading sheet music at a fast pace. I picked up guitar playing a few months ago and guitarists have it so easy when it comes to reading notation with tabs!

I propose a type of "piano tab" which similarly uses numbers, but rather than using multiple lines to show multiple strings (or ranks on a keyboard)... simply use them to show chords and single notes. Here's an example. For ease of use the tabs could read from a C3 to C6 (C4 is middle C) so 1-37. A c major chord might read: 13 17 20

Simply number the keys on the keyboard, and that's it.

psx1337, Jan 09 2007

Piano Key Numbering System http://www.pianofin...tToCallTheKeys1.htm
Piano Key Numbering System [flynn, Jan 10 2007]


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Annotation:







       The "piano tabs" should show a little picture of the keyboard and little dots showing where to put your fingers. Otherwise I would have to suggest that what you are describing is already baked. If you look at the charts in Jazz music and even most of the popular music that they are transcribing and putting into books have the chords listed right above the staff. Even if you look at the guitar tabs, the chord names are right underneath so when you see "C/Ab" above or below the tabs, it means the same thing on the piano.   

       I guess the difference is that guitar tabs almost tell you exactly where to put your fingers because trying to formulate a cord based on 6 notes across 6 strings may be a challenge but piano chords are not that hard to figure out. If you can identify note names with the keys and you can play the scale then you can figure out the chords.
Jscotty, Jan 09 2007
  

       // If you look at the charts in Jazz music and even most of the popular music that they are transcribing and putting into books have the chords listed right above the staff //   

       Yes, that helps with the chords. I often play piano in that manner especially if I'm singing. My idea was to show things that aren't written as guitar chords in books as well, like full sheet music.
psx1337, Jan 09 2007
  

       It would be easier for childern to learn. It is a BAKED IDEA, however, see link.   

       The only thing to consider is if that child wants to learn another instrument down the road... they won't know the staff. A lot of kids start out playing the piano and then move onto other instruments.
flynn, Jan 10 2007
  


 

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