Because I was asked several times I give some short tips on how to use the files offered for download on my pages (I know you all knew before, bust just in case...)
And while I´m at it I will also answer some other questions that I am frequently asked.
- What file formats is the music in?
- How do I download the files?
- How do I unzip the files?
- Why tablature under the standard notation?
- Why standard notation over the tablature?
- I would like to download a piece with standard notation only. Can you help?
- I would like to download a piece with tablature only. Can you help?
- Can I make requests for pieces I would like to see on your page?
- May I send you music for your site?
- What is this site about and why do you keep it up?
1. What file formats is the music in?
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 TablEdit-format (main link)
These are files created by and to be used with the TablEdit or the free TefView-software.
TablEdit is a notation and tablature editor program.
It allows you to edit standard notation and/or tablature and is specialized on the demands of guitarists and players of other stringed instruments.
It allows you to play back the edited music (at any speed you like), print the music (standard notation, tablature or both) and export the music (as midi, ASCII-tab, HTML-tab or grafics).
You can also import midi and ASCII-tab and get the same nice notation out of it.
TablEdit does cost a small amount of money but is well worth it (you can download a free demo at their site).
If you do not want to spend any money but use the files you can get the free TefView-Software.
It does not allow you to create or edit files but it can play and print the music just like the full version of TablEdit.
These files may be zipped (see 3. Unzip the file).
- [midi] MIDI-format
The midi-files are exported from TablEdit.
They can be played by any standard MIDI-player and give you an idea of what the piece should sound like.
This is very handy if you do not have TablEdit or TefView and choose to download the [pdf]-version of the music.
- [pdf] Acrobat Reader-format
The Acrobat Reader is a program that allows you to view and print pdf-files in a very high quality.
The pdf-files on these pages represent one possibel print out from TablEdit / TefView.
They give you the standard notation and the tablature of the music. If you choose to download the [pdf]-version you might want to get the corresponding [midi] also so you know what the music should sound like. But I do recomend using TefView: It´s smaller and faster than Acrobat Reader and gives you a bunch of aditional possibilities.
These files may be zipped (see 3. Unzip the file).
2. How do I download the files?
To download the files you just have to click on the corresponding link and you will be prompted for the download.
In case you have associated a program to open pdf-files, zip-files or mid-files from within your browser when you click on such files then you might try to right-click the link. A menu should pop up where you can choose to download the target.
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3. How do I unzip the files?
While the midi-files are in the original format so that they can be played by a media player from within your browser, some of the TablEdit and the ArcobatReader files are stored in a compressed format. These "zipped" files use less space on the server and can be downloaded faster. The files are easily recognised by their file-ending: "*.zip".
In order to use these files with the corresponding software (see 1. Available file formats) you will have to "unzip" them first.
You will need a special software to do that.
Very well known is WinZip and they offer a free evaluation version.
I use PowerArchiver 2000, the last freeware verson of it. Now they have gone shareware.
Another very fine freeware is UltimateZip.
Finally, if you just want a small program to unzip some files and do nothing else you can download the very small MinUnZip programm (only 33k) from right here.
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4. Why tablature under the standard notation?
I am aware of the fact, that that all you purists and semi professionals do not like the tablature you will find under the "correct" standard notation.
And you are right when you say that tablature can never be equal to or replace standard notation.
Quite a lot of information gets lost in tablature and it is hardly possible to learn to play a piece of music right just with tablature.
But, on the other hand, together with the standard notation tablature can be a help to guitar players who do not play or practice so often.
Once they have learned a piece (using standard notation), even after a longer period of not playing it, they will be able to play it right from the paper.
This way many amateur players will be able to build up a larger repertoire than the would be to do without.
Finally, seeing standard notation and tablature together all the time might help those who are used to ASCII-tabs and tab-only to get familiar with notes and will perhaps try to learn more about it (which I explictly recomend).
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5. Why standard notation over the tablature?
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To put this in first place: if you are really serious about playing classical guitar you will not come far without standard notation!
Only the standard notation gives you the rhythm information you need to learn it right (even without having a midi to listen to it first) and it is much easier to see the different voices.
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6. I would like to download a piece with standard notation only. Can you help?
7. I would like to download a piece with tablature only. Can you help?
Of course I can, it´s allready there for you to download! How would your like you file?
Like this:
or like this:
or like this:
To get any of these formats (or any other form you want to give it) just use free TefView (see above section about formats) and download the Tabledit file.
Not only is it free, smaller and faster than Acrobat Reader, prints in perfect quality and allows playback better than the midi (choose the speed you like) but it also gives you a wide range of possibilities for printing the score:
print standard notation only, tablature only or both together (like the pdf on my pages), change printing size, spacings, fonts ...
It´s only 207K and set up in a minute.
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8. Can I make requests for pieces I would like to see on your page?
You can try.
If I know or find the piece and like it, then I might tab it an place it on my site.
But no guarantees - it always depends on how much time I have (and that is limited).
Try asking for it in the Forum, where you can reach more people who perhaps can help you.
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9. May I send you music for your site?
If you have a special piece that you want to show me or would like to see on my site then feel free to send it to me.
If I like it and find the time to tab it I will upload it.
Some very fine pieces on my pages were sent to me by vistors of my site.
I am also interested in music you wrote yourself. See in the "Your Pieces" section for details.
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10. What is this site about and why do you keep it up?
This site is about saying thank you to the web, which got me back to playing guitar after almost 20 years when I dicovered so much good music in it.
This site is also about encouraging guitarists to keep on playing or to get back to the guitar.
Why do I go through keeping it up when I don´t earn a single cent with it?
Sometimes I don´t know and sometimes I just don´t ask. But it´s a good idea to have it here, isn´t it?
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