For those of us who are untraditional banjo players it's hard to find tabs. Try finding 'The Kids Are not alright" , or any punk or alternative song. Frankly.. I think clawhammer banjo is amazing for punk rock, and juiced up classics.. Think Social Distortions remake of Alone and Forsaken.. Yes.. so.. I digress. Its hard to find tabs, and while I admire picking a song apart, there is something to be said with learning it in a day or two.
Found an amazing tool. It's on the Play Store.. not sure about Apple as I'm an Android guy.. but.. it works pretty damn well. Does include Banjo with tunings in Open G, Double C, Sawmill, and Open C (Left hand included) Just direct it to a Youtube video, wav file, or microphone and within seconds it will spit out tabs.. You have option also to convert any chord to available bass inversion, and simple or precise voicing, and basic or precise chording. It's subscription but very affordable.. I can't even remember... 9 bucks a month?? Worth it.
Note, it does not transcribe all notes and I'm good with that.. It presents chords only, but once you have those you can create riffs etc. Like I said, I play clawhammer so I'm not sure if 3 finger pickers will see any use in this but for those of you who thrive on a good rhythm banjo, it's perfect.
Check it out.. The more banjo users who adopt it.. the more likely banjo remains an option. Now.. go learn a punk song. :)
Chord AI
quote:
Originally posted by tpaintonFor those of us who are untraditional banjo players it's hard to find tabs. Try finding 'The Kids Are not alright" , or any punk or alternative song. Frankly.. I think clawhammer banjo is amazing for punk rock, and juiced up classics.. Think Social Distortions remake of Alone and Forsaken..
I prefer my more simple version.
Chord AI exists for iPhone.
Here's one of several demos on YouTube.
Let's be clear about what it's doing and not doing: It's figuring out the chords to a song by analyzing a recording. It's not creating a clawhammer banjo arrangement for you.
You still have to apply your knowledge and playing skill to turn the chords into something that sounds like the song you're trying to play. Of course this is a big help to anyone who is not yet proficient at figuring out chords. So I would never say do not subscribe to this. But I would say that being able to figure out chords by ear is a valuable skill that banjo players should develop. It is immensely helpful in jamming and improvising. And it seems to me you have to be trying to work out a lot of songs that lack chord charts to justify $6.99 a moth. Especially when accurate chord charts just might be available free on the Web. Here's someone's transctiption of The KidsAren't Alright by Offspring.
Again, not saying don't subscribe. When I'm having trouble figuring out chords to songs I want to put to banjo -- which also come from non-banjo genres -- I start with free online chords and those in the iRealPro community (for registered users of the software). I also occasionally buy PDF sheet music since piano scores are great for accuracy of the melody and ideas for filler and harmony.
Do what works for you.
Examples of my banjo arrangements that started with chord charts and sheet music:
Somewhere (West Side Story)
I see the big benefit of AI as a tool.
I am also quite concerned about how it will conflict with creativity in society as a whole over the long run.
Only time will tell, but I am sure as heck glad I was born when I was born. My gut feeling is that things in the world are going to be pretty sticky in the next 20-30 years.
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