Writing Guitar Tabs - Paper or iPad? Here's How I Do It.

Get my free blank tab templates - songnotes.net/tabs
Get the Notability iPad app (free) - notability.com
Browse all the PDFs I've made with Notability - songnotes.net/printables
Hey there, friends! In today's video I'll show you a simple guide to writing your own guitar tabs. I'll start off showing how to quickly jot them down on paper, using my blank tab PDF template - including a super handy 4x6 notecard trick. Then I'll show how you can get started writing them on the iPad (using the free app Notability, which I've used happily since 2018). Many of you have asked about this in the past few years - I hope you find the video helpful!
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:54 Writing Tabs on Paper
- 1:49 Writing Tabs on Notecards
- 3:19 Writing Tabs on the iPad
- 8:23 Advanced Notability Tips
Note, Notability is NOT sponsoring this video! They didn't ask me to make this video, and they're not giving me anything special for making this video. I simply like their iPad app and wanted to show you all how I use it for writing tabs.

[@Dram1984]

There is something visceral about writing on paper. It always feels more real makes me take whatever I’m writing more seriously.
Maybe I’m just old :p

[@SRees-qw5dz]

Age as nothing to do with it. Writing on paper is really helpful to me as well. Also, there is just something so satisfying about it.

[@iamthekwan]

Thank you, this was super helpful

[@DavS827]

Perfect solution, thanks!

[@glorioskiola]

Thanks much. I like using the paper tab sheets. Also did download notability for iPad and can use that without an Apple Pencil (can use finger to write).

[@ashketchumall3541]

Great tutorial. Because of this video, Im going to contribute to your channel.
I am a transcriber (locally for my students) and teacher, so I am not needing to learn to play songs. Ive been a subscriber for a long time just because I can appreciate your vibe and helpful tone. Because of your generosity, in sharing this, I am now going to use my old iPad, and start using Notability.
I think that while you are great at your lessons and sheets, you might also have found a niche where you can potentially help out other guitar teachers, precisely like myself, in instances like Notability. Perhaps a multi part series, on creating your song sheet ideas.
Anyways, appreciate your generosity. In this day where everyone is secretive and protective, I think you’re creating good content, and that generosity will reciprocate with good coming back your way. You can always hold more with an open hand than a closed fist. Thank you for your open hand.
By the way, is there a specific font that you use for the song titles? I really like your design aesthetic, and I think the song sheets you make actually encourage learning, but in a way that makes the student believe that its not out of reach. Its warm, inviting and friendly!

[@MrAussiejuice]

Great tip and tutorial, will be taking a closer look at the app for shore. Thanks. please do some more on this and similar topics, that would be great. Like;
could you store pdfs of your songs in your play/practise list in this app and make notes etc or what is the best way.
How about how to file them best for future retrieval within your apple hard drive, app or cloud storage.

[@inappreciation7339]

Thank for the ideas. I am going to try the note cards.

[@MrSDFD18]

How did you get your paper tab into a pdf?

[@Boi_Ek_ValoBasa]

Can I use the tab template pdf for teaching ?

[@songnotes]

Yes for sure

[@ibew1951]

Thx David !