tablature

[ tab-luh-cher, -choor ]

noun

1. Music. any of various systems of music notation using letters, numbers, or other signs to indicate the strings, frets, keys, etc., to be played.
2. a tabular space, surface, or structure.

tablature

/ ˈtæblətʃə /

noun

1. music any of a number of forms of musical notation, esp for playing the lute, consisting of letters and signs indicating rhythm and fingering
2. an engraved or painted tablet or other flat surface

Word History and Origins

Origin of tablature¹

1565–75; < Middle French, Latinization (influenced by Latin tabula board) of Italian intavolatura, derivative of intavolare to put on a board, score

Word History and Origins

Origin of tablature¹

C16: from French, ultimately from Latin tabulātum wooden floor, from tabula a plank

Example Sentences

I grab my uke and the ukulele tablature for “Ode to Joy” in the key of D and find the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain 2009 performance on YouTube where the audience brought their ukes along.

From Seattle Times

He imagines guitar teachers using Mmhmm to play while showing the song’s tablature in a slide; doctors practicing telemedicine with X-rays appearing above their shoulders, and financial planners walking clients through their taxes with the relevant numbers floating nearby.

From The Verge

That diary mostly contains tablature notation, but one entry, from before quarantine, last December, reads: “Try to find resonances — textural miracles that are confusing as to structure but spinning and mesmerizing.”

From New York Times

A basic knowledge of the instrument and tablature language could be useful, but isn’t necessary, she noted.

From New York Times

It is named after the layers of black from the tablature.

From The Verge

Related Words

• songbook