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The example above shows the first four measures of the melody of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in the key of D. Following is a breakdown of what the tablature is
telling you to play. Since you already know what the song sounds like it will help if you play along while reading this so you can hear it.
Measure 1
-- The first two notes tell you to play the first string open. You know this because of the 0. This is a zero, but you can think of it as the letter “O” for open. The long line descending from each of the four notes in the measure tells you that all of the notes are quarter notes, so they each get one beat. After the first two open notes, the next note is the 1st string 4th fret, since it is a 4 placed on the 1st line. The final note in the first measure is another 1st string 4th fret.
Measure 2
-- The second measure combines two quarter notes with a half note. You’ll notice that the note time values in each measure always add up to a whole note. In this example the math works out to 1/4+1/4+1/2=1. Begin the measure by playing the 1st string 5th fret for 1 beat, then repeat that note. Finally, play the 1st string 4th fret, but this time since it’s a half note you hold it for 2 beats.
Measure 3
-- Now that you have the hang of it, the third measure should be easy. Begin by playing the 1st string 3rd fret twice, then the 1st string 2nd fret twice. Remember that since each note is a quarter note they each get 1 beat.
Measure 4
-- The fourth measure is similar to the second measure in that it begins with two quarter notes followed by a half note. Just play the 1st string 1st fret two times followed by the 1st string open, held for two beats.
That’s the basics of reading Dulcijo tablature. There are a couple more things you’ll want to know that you can read on the next few pages, but you’ve already
learned the majority of the important stuff.
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