BeierTab – Lute tablature editing software

BeierTab version 2.19
Build 1 – March 2021

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What is BeierTab?

A computer program for MS Windows in which to edit and print lute tablature. It also transcribes lute tablature into staff-notation (in MusicXML format which can be used with music notation programs such as Finale and Sibelius).

FEATURES:

Tablature Style

Fonts and layout based on historical sources. Convert instantaneously between different styles:

  • French Tablature – Renaissance: Besard 1603, Dowland 1610
  • French Tablature – Baroque: Gautier 1669, Breitkopf 1750
  • Italian Tablature: Gardano 1550, Piccinini 1623
  • Spanish Tablature: Luys Milan 1535
  • German Tablature: Newsidler 1536
  • Baroque Guitar: Murcia

Tablature signs

  • All kinds of left hand ornament signs.
  • Upward and downward slurs, vertical and diagonal lines.
  • Right hand arpeggio squiggles and separée signs.
  • Right and left hand fingering signs and numbers.
  • Rest signs, dynamics, fermatae, coda and repeat signs.
  • Add text with choice of font, size and color.
  • End of piece arabesques.
  • Grace notes

Manipulation

  • Transpose tablature up or down.
  • Convert tablature from one instrument tuning to another.
  • Transform rhythm signs by doubling or halving their value.
  • Format rhythm signs to appear at bar lines or at a particular rhythmic interval.
  • Instantly add vertical lines connecting chords to diapasons throughout the tablature.
  • Instantly add right hand index fingering dots throughout the tablature at the appropriate places.Convert tablature from one instrument tuning to another.

Multiple Staves

  • Add, delete and arrange the position of multiple staves per system, creating scores for lute duets, trios, etc.
  • Merge two or more staves of a system into one. You can perform the contrary operation of splitting tablature into two staves by selecting individual voices (see MIDI below).
  • Select the style of bracket (curved, square or none) to use with multiple staves.
  • Make parts – each staff in a separate file.

Page Layout

  • Portrait and landscape orientation.
  • Paper sizes include US Letter and Legal, A3, A4, A5, B4, B5, B6.
  • Control spacing, margins, indents, etc.
  • Adjust the size of the tablature and how it fits on the page.
  • Captions and page numbering options.

MIDI

  • Assign independent voices to tablature characters, for polyphonic rendition.
  • You can select voices and delete them, or copy them to a new staff.
  • Listen to the tablature file, control tempo and volume.
  • Export tablature to a MIDI file.
  • Export tablature to MusicXML, transcribed to piano score format.

Import and Export

  • Import Wayne Cripps “Tab” lute tablature files.
  • Export tablature as graphic files in various formats.
  • Print files.