Table of Contents
Notation reference
Tablature
Tablature is an alternative notation to the five-line staff, and is used for fretted instruments. On tablature, pitches are indicated by fret numbers positioned on lines, each of which represents a string on the instrument. As tablature is commonly used for guitars, it usually shows six lines.
Rhythms on tablature
When notation staves and tablature are both shown, it is customary only to notate rhythms on the notation staff. However, when only tablature is shown, it is necessary to show rhythms on tablature.

Rhythms on tablature

When notation staves and tablature are both shown, it is customary only to notate rhythms on the notation staff. However, when only tablature is shown, it is necessary to show rhythms on tablature.

The following items are shown to indicate rhythms on tablature:

Time signatures
Stems, stem flags, and beaming
Rhythm dots

You can change how these items appear on tablature on the Tablature page in Engrave > Engraving Options.

Note

By default, stems, stem flags, and beaming appear stem-up on tablature in single-voice contexts, which means they can collide with guitar bends, pre-bends/pre-dives, and dives and returns. Therefore, in projects where you want to show both these notations and rhythms on tablature, we recommend that you change the Default stem direction to Down on the Tablature page in Engrave > Engraving Options.