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Tablature is one of the oldest forms of written music...it is a visual approach to reading music that gives you an exact position of slide placement on your instrument's slideboard. There are many advantages of tablature that many are not aware of...for instance, if you use different tunings, tablature does not deviate from the standard number positioning; whereas, standard notation has to be re-learned for every tuning. Additionally, standard notation requires a roman numeral positioning to denote where to place your slides. Tablature is much more direct. Ultimately, it's best to become well-versed in both standard notation and tablature.
Dobro TABLATURE:
The letters to the left of each line represent the name of the string. In this Dobro tab representation, the top line represents the "D" string...the next below the "D" would be the "B" string...the next below the "B" would be the "G" string...and the next below the "G" string would be the "D" string...and the next below the "D" string would be the "B" string...and the next below the "B" string would be the "G" string... So visually, you're looking at the Dobro strings, as represented by these lines, as upside down.
The "T", "I" and "M" represent which right hand fingering to utilize as you play the notes.
T for thumb
I for index finger
M for middle finger
In the below example, you'll see only the "T" above the Tablature...this indicates that all notes are played with a downstroke of the thumb. You'll also notice the two dots and double line at the beginning and end of this passage. This means that the piece is to be repeated after reaching the two dots at the end...after reaching the two dots at the end, you'll return to the two dots at the beginning and repeat the passage one more time (or indefinitely if it's an exercise).
If you see numbers below the tablature, this would represent the beats per measure. For instance, a 1 2 3 4 would be counted out evenly as beats...If you were to tap your foot in a rhythmic manner as you count to four methodically, you have the beat of the piece. In the above example, it would be 4/4 timing. In the case of waltz timing you would have a count of 1 2 3 for each measure. You'll notice also the line that separates the two measures that run vertically through the tablature. This line divides each measure so that you can always tell how many beats are in a measure. If this was a waltz (3/4) piece, it would look like the following:
Adding Notes to the Tablature
We will now incorporate notes or slide positions to the tablature which will be represented by numbers on each line. Following is a simple Dobro exercise that incorporates the numbering we are discussing. Each number will represent what note to be played. For instance, a number "1" means to place your slide above the first fret. A number "4" would mean to place your slide above the 4th fret of the string being represented by the line it's placed on...for the below example, you'll notice that within this chordal exercise you have a G to C to D chord positions...on the C chord, at the 3rd measure, you'll see the numeral "5" on three of the top lines. This is simply played by laying the bar flat above the fifth fret...you'll be covering all three notes indicated on the tablature. The chord symbol above the standard notation indicates this in a diagram with "5fr" beside the position where the bar lays flat.
A "0" would mean the string would be played open without fretting. Here's an example of a forward roll played with all open strings.
The above exercise takes you through a roll pattern in a 4/4 timing. As you're tapping your foot to a count of "4" you'll also notice that you'll want to count 1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & to cover each measure's total beats...the in-between notes will represent the off "and" beat between each tap of your foot. Each downbeat would be a thumbstroke with your right hand or middle finger; each off beat, represented by the "&" symbol, would be played with an upstroke with your right hand index finger...(unless you're left handed and then you would be picking with your left hand).
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