# Saisir et éditer la notation de tablature

## Computer keyboard entry

1. In [normal mode](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/appendix/glossary#normal-mode), select a measure, or note/rest.
2. Switch to [note input mode](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/appendix/glossary#note-input-mode): the cursor appears as a small “blue rectangle” on the currently "active" string.
3. Select the [duration](#selecting-note-duration) (see below) of the note or rest to be entered.
4. Press arrow keys to navigate:
   * `Up` and `Down` moves the cursor between strings.
   * `Left` and `Right` moves through the score.
5. Type digits to enter fret numbers from 0 to the maximum set in the [Edit String Data dialog](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/idiomatic-notation/customizing-a-tablature-staff#change-number-of-instrument-frets).
   * Fret numbers 0 to 9 can also be entered with the letter keys `A` to `K`, skipping `I`. This is useful when writing French-style [period tablature notation](#period-tablature-notation).
   * Values higher than 9 must be typed as numeric digits. For example, type `1` `0` for 10, which appears as ***l*** (lowercase L) in French tablature.
6. Press `;` (semicolon) to enter a rest of the selected duration.
7. To enter grace notes, see [Grace notes](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/notation/expressive-markings/grace-notes).
8. You can enter notes in different voices if required—just as you would in a standard staff.

See also, [Editing notes and rests](#editing-tablature-notation) (below).

## Mouse entry

1. Enter [note input mode](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/appendix/glossary#note-input-mode) and select the note or rest [duration](#selecting-note-duration) (see below).
2. Click on a string and MuseScore will enter a 0 (zero), which means "open string".
   * For French-style [period tablature notation](#period-tablature-notation), MuseScore enters an ***a*** (lowercase A) instead of 0.
3. Type digits to replace 0 with any fret number up to the maximum set in the [Edit String Data dialog](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/idiomatic-notation/customizing-a-tablature-staff#change-number-of-instrument-frets).
   * Fret numbers 0 to 9 can also be entered with the letter keys `A` to `K`, skipping `I`. This is useful when writing French tablature.
   * Values higher than 9 must be typed as numeric digits. For example, type `1` `0` for 10, which appears as ***l*** (lowercase L) in French tablature.
4. You can increase/decrease the fret mark using `Alt`+`Shift`+`Up` or `Alt`+`Shift`+`Down`.
5. You can enter notes in different voices if required—just as you would in a standard staff.

See also, [Editing notes and rests"](#editing-tablature-notation) (below).

## Selecting note duration

Whether you are using a keyboard or mouse, you can set note duration using one of the following:

* Press `Shift`+`0` up to `Shift`+`9`: to set duration from a 128th note to a longa (availability of these shortcuts may depend on the platform and/or keyboard layout);
* Press **NumPad** `0` to `9`: to set duration from a 128th note to a longa (if a numeric keypad exists and NumLock is on);
* Click on the desired note duration icon in the Note Input toolbar above the document window;
* Press `Q` to decrease the selected duration and `W` to increase it.

**Note**: This applies to **note input mode** only. If you want to change the duration of a selected note in **normal mode** see [Changing duration in normal mode](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/basics/editing-notes-and-rests#changing-duration-in-normal-mode).

## Period tablature notation

MuseScore also supports tablature notation for period instruments such as the renaissance and baroque lutes, Theorbo etc. There are a number of notation systems in use (French, Italian, German, Spanish), but the most common is French.

*French tablature* features 6 lines representing the top 6 courses. Instead of numbers, fretmarks are indicated by letters—as explained [above](#computer-keyboard-entry). Any notes on bass courses below the 6th string (fretted or unfretted) are represented by symbols in the space underneath the 6th line of tablature.

To enter symbols *below* the 6th course:

1. In note input mode, move the cursor until it is in the space below the 6th line. Press `Down` to move the cursor to the next lowest course and so on. As you do so a "cue mark" appears at the left side of the cursor to show you which course is active:

| Cue mark | Number of course | Fretmark entered automatically for unstopped course |
| -------- | ---------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| no cue   | 7                | La                                                  |
| /        | 8                | /a                                                  |
| //       | 9                | //a                                                 |
| ///      | 10               | ///a                                                |
| 4        | 11               | 4                                                   |
| 5        | 12               | 5                                                   |
| 6        | 13               | 6                                                   |
| 7        | 14               | 7                                                   |

Conversely you can return to a higher course by pressing `Up`, and the cue mark changes accordingly.\
2\. If the selected course is fretted simply enter a fretmark in note input mode (as shown above). If the selected course is unstopped press *any* note key in note input mode and MuseScore will automatically enter the correct zero fretmark (see table above).

## Editing tablature notation

### Changing the pitch

*In note input mode*:

1. Position the cursor over the fret mark and type the desired number.
2. Increment or decrement the fret mark using `Alt`+`Shift`+`Up`; or, `Alt`+`Shift`+`Down` (The fret mark automatically changes strings, if necessary, to achieve the lowest possible fret position).

*In normal mode*:

1. Select one or more fret marks.
2. Utilisez l'une des commandes suivantes :
   * To increment or decrement, without changing the string: Press `Up`/`Down`.
   * To increment or decrement, changing strings, when possible, to minimize the fret number: Press `Alt`+`Shift`+`Up`/`Down`.

*Note*: The fret mark cannot be higher than the “Number of frets” value set in the Edit String Data dialog.

### Moving the fretmark to a different string

To move the fret mark to an adjacent string *without changing the pitch*:

*In note input mode*:

* Position the cursor over a fret mark, and press `Ctrl`+`Up`/`Down` (Mac: `Cmd`+`Up`/`Down`).

*In normal mode*:

Use one of the following methods:

* Select one or more fret marks, and press `Ctrl`+`Up`/`Down` (Mac: `Cmd`+`Up`/`Down`).
* Drag a fret mark up or down to an adjacent string.

**Note**: This operation can only proceed if the relevant string is free and can produce that note.

### Changing the duration

See [Changing duration in normal mode](https://handbook.musescore.org/fr/basics/editing-notes-and-rests#changing-duration-in-normal-mode).

### Crosshead/Ghost notes

To change a fret mark to a crosshead/ghost note:

1. Select one or more fret marks (in normal mode).
2. Press `Shift`+`X` to toggles ghost noteheads on/off.