Snapshot of learning for Power Tab Editor
These screenshots were taken from learning sessions using Power Tab Editor v1.7 with year 11 music students.
This group of students was focused on guitar as its main instrument, but showed little interest in learning to read and write music, which was required in order to complete the composition component of the year 11 music programme. The teacher decided to use Power Tab Editor – a guitar tablature software program – to allow the students to work from their knowledge of the guitar and produce notated music. Note: Tablature (tab) is a pictorial system of notating music (showing the strings and fret positions) so that others can read it back and play it.
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Entering notes
The students learned to play their composition from the guitar. They transferred this to computer by using the keypad and mouse to enter the notes on the 'tab' lines. The corresponding notes appear on the staff above. The students still needed to have an understanding of how to notate rhythm.
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Adding accompaniment
After entering the melody, the students were able to add new 'tab' lines and add accompaniment to their melody.
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Chord window
The students appreciated the chord dictionary, where they were able to choose a chord, which was then automatically inserted into the 'tab' and the score.
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Instrument window
The students were motivated by the program's ability to add sounds other than guitar to their composition. In this shot, the student is adding a flute part.
Note: data is still able to be entered from the 'tab' lines using the students' knowledge of the guitar.
The teacher was pleasantly surprised at the motivation of the students in using this program to complete their compositions.
