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

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

For that you’d need full tablature, rather than the simple chords that Fender Songs displays.

From The Verge

Monkey Wrench was one of the first I learned how to play, reading tablature in Guitar World magazine.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• songbook