Converting a 6 string tab into a 3 string

In response to a question on the Forums, here's one way to convert 6 string tabs into 3 string, tuned to a dyad chord, also called 1-5-1, "power chord" or perfect fifth.  (For example, tuned GDG)

Before you start

  1. This is likely to do your head in until you get to the example, then it'll be easy
  2. Do the example with your guitar in your hands

Figure out the key of the original

Most songs start and finish on the tonic chord so if the first and last chords are E for example then it's safe to say that it's in E. If they don't go with the last chord.

That'll usually do it, if you're still not sure look for other chords in the song. I IV and V chords are common in most songs if you're not sure but think it might be in E, see if there are plenty of A and B chords (count the 4th and 5th up from E, starting again when you get to G)

Find the first note of the riff or melody on the 6 string tab.

Find a 6 string fretboard map online somewhere and get the name of that first note. Count up from your tonic (the name of the key) until you get that note so that you know what number it is. For example if we're in the key of E and the note is B you count up E F G A B and the number is 5

Figure out the rest of the notes on that string

The rest of the notes on that string will have the same relationship to that first one so just count up your frets. For example the first note in the original is on fret 2, the second is on fret 4 and the third on fret 5. Now you've found that the first note is a 5 and on the open position of the middle string, find the second note by adding 2 and the third note by adding another 1.

Repeat and rinse

Do the same thing for every string on the original tab.

IMPORTANT

Do this with simple songs to start with

Satisfaction

6 string TAB


E-|-----------------------------------------------------------|
B-|-----------------------------------------------------------|
G-|-----------------------------------------------------------|
D-|-----------------------------------------------------------|
A-|-2--2----2--4--5----5--5--4--2--2--------------------|
E-|-----------------------------------------------------------|

  1. The song is in the key of E, that's obvious from the chords
  2. The first note in the tab is a B which is the 5th note up from E
  3. The 5 on your 3 string is the open position middle string
  4. The next note is on the 4th fret, 2 up from the 2nd, so our next note is 2 up from the open middle string, on the 2nd fret
  5. The next note is on the 5th fret so ours is up one more from that on the 3rd fret.

Your tab looks like this

G-|-----------------------------------------------------------|
D-|-0--0----0--2--3----3--3--2--0--0-------------------|
G-|-----------------------------------------------------------|

Views: 14844

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Patrick Curley on February 16, 2015 at 4:52pm

Hi Scruggy the E and A strings have exactly the same relationship (interval) as the middle (5) and top (1) strings so you could play the top line (A) on the top string and the bottom line (E) on the top string.

G--0--2--3--0-2--3--0-2--3--|-------- 0----- --0----    3--2--| 
D--------------------------- |--1--3-----1- 3----- 3
G---------------------------------|--------------------------------

Now go back and see if you can figure out how to get there. This is a tricky one because the key is unclear, the notes are all in C but it doesn't really make sense there. Is it some weird-ass metal modal thing?
Comment by Scruggy on February 16, 2015 at 4:29pm
E---------------------------|---------------------------| 
B-------------------------- -|-------------------------- -|
G-------------------------- -|-------------------------- -|
D--------------------------- |-------------------------- -|
A--0--2--3--0-2--3--0-2--3--|-------- 0----- --0---- 3--2--|
E--------------------------- |--1--3-----1- 3----- 3


what would this be?
Comment by Scruggy on February 16, 2015 at 4:16pm

think guna need a few read throughs before it sinks in, cheeers! good stuff!

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

Southern Ray commented on Dogleg Steve's video
Thumbnail

Fiddly Rag from the book Cigar Box Picking by Dogleg Steve

" Sitting here with a silly grin... Thanks, that was well played and fun!"
56 minutes ago
Rich commented on Rich's photo
Thumbnail

Retro Radio Tin Whole view

"Thanks, Brian. UJ - appreciate the good review. Doug, this one sat for a while partly done, and…"
4 hours ago
AGP # commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #530 - ''Pink Floyd''

""Thanx A.D." Yep!, Messrs Waters & Gilmore don't seem to be friends anymore :-D"
6 hours ago
AGP # commented on AGP #'s photo
6 hours ago
AGP # commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #532 - '' Black Sabbath''

""Thanks Doug", One more to go, a bit smaller Sign 6" x 12", and not Band…"
6 hours ago
AGP # commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP 8 Stand Carousels

""Thanks  'UJ' & Doug", now have Eleven 8 Stand Carousels, all on…"
6 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Uncle John's photo
Thumbnail

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"Oke ! Rock Caktus ! i got Ye ! Watersavers! and still Cool !"
7 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP 8 Stand Carousels

"The Metal Corner ! fine looking stand & Gits there AGP# ,Still cranking them out like there…"
7 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Rich's photo
Thumbnail

Retro Radio Tin Whole view

"Verry Cool Rich ! real good looker ! and a fine player ! Rock&Roll Radio !"
8 hours ago
Glenn Kaiser commented on Uncle John's photo
Thumbnail

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"I love Doug's work too!! -Glenn"
8 hours ago
Glenn Kaiser commented on Uncle John's photo
Thumbnail

Chugger Review 2nd from left

"ALL really sweet Uncle John! Congrats! -Glenn"
8 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Dogleg Steve's video
Thumbnail

Dead Mans Rag from the book Cigar Box Picking Rags for 3&4 string Cigar Box Guitar by Dogleg Steve

"Very jaunty Steve! It’s a treat to watch you play. Thanks for sharing."
11 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->