Power Tab Archive Submission Rationale
Co-author!
Check the PTA before you start to tab a song. If you find a version of it, it would make more sense to ask the original tabber to co-author. If you don’t get a response, we can’t guarantee your tab will be accepted. If you think your tab differs from the existing version on the PTA, then don’t forget to add a reasonable and detailed difference explanation in the tablature comment.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Co-author
Upload complete songs!
Upload complete songs! This means that you have to transcribe all instruments from beginning until the end of the song, not just partial riffs. Guitar solos are also included in this rule. They must be transcribed for a song to be accepted (the “Lead Sheet†category is excluded from this rule).
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Upload Complete Songs
Zero Score Checker Errors
Use the PTE Score Checker (F11) on both scores (guitar and bass) and make sure the PTE reports ZERO (0) errors. There are some examples where this is not 100% appropriate (e.g. underfull first measure, etc.). However, you must get around this somehow.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Zero Score Checker Errors
Score Polisher
Use the PTE Score Polisher (Tools → Score Polisher) on both scores, even if you like your layout more than the polished version – which sometimes may look suboptimal. Always polish before submitting a new version of your tab, even if you don’t think you changed anything.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Score Polisher
Rehearsal Signs
Use Rehearsal Signs (Intro, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, etc.) extensively in both the guitar and bass scores. Make sure that the signs match between guitar and bass scores, are capitalized, are in alphabetic order. Make sure to name each rehearsal sign.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Rehearsal Signs
Offsets and Capos
If you use downtuned instruments in your song, make sure you set the correct offset in the guitar property sheet. One offset for every half step of downtuning. If you use a capo you do not need offsets, but you do have to set the capo number on the guitar property sheet. Add floating text at the beginning of your score to explain the different tuning and/or capo.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Offsets
Key Signatures
Set a key signature. Do this after setting offsets (if your song uses down-tuning). Generally, the key signature should minimize the amount of accidentals (sharps [#’s] and flats [b’s]) in the notation staves. Except in very rare circumstances, the bass and guitar scores should have matching key signatures.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Key Sigs
Chord Names
A chord name is required every time the chord being played changes. Add a No Chord (N.C.) sign where no chords are present. Chord names are optional for “classical†music and fingerstyle guitar pieces.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Chord Names
Song Information
Fill out the File Information on the Song Properties Sheet as complete as you are able to. Avoid lower case and upper case entries. When you enter your own composition, click the “Not Released†line. If you are not sure about any specific information, leave that field empty.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Song Info
Arrange all instruments for guitar!
All non-stringed instruments within your song must be arranged for stringed instruments (this excludes drums if you plan to put them into your tab). i.e. make sure the chords are playable on guitar.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Arrange Instruments For Guitar
Have a good layout!
Though this may sound subjective, make sure that your score looks good.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Layout
No MIDI Imports!
MIDI imports are forbidden. If you like to create a tab from a MIDI file, please proceed like this: Import the MIDI into the Power Tab Editor, do some polishing or whatsoever, then print it and create a Power Tab from scratch by using information from your printed (and possibly polished) import. Try to understand the structure of the song, add musical directions and fix other issues to prevent the Power Tab from looking like a MIDI import.
Read more about this rule: PTA Submission Guide – Midi Imports
