What would you do - E or Eb

[t77mackie]

I was TABing a song for dude, and the first chord is Eb - so I assumed I'd need to tune a half step down. I did the whole thing, uploaded the TAB and wrapped it all up and then I realized; the bass player never hits the low E (flat). There was no reason to tune down.

So what is it? What would you do? Transcribe a half step down in E or transcribe in Eb? 7th fret or 6th (on the A string)?

The song / TAB in question:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f66/all-these-things-bass-tab-911177/#post13098668

 

[Febs]

As you said in the linked thread, there is no reason to use an alternate tuning for this. Transcribe it in Eb.

 

[dvh]

And that's the trouble with tab. If this was being written in notation for bass clef the note would be written as Eb.

It's not unusual for musician or band to tune down half a step to be able to play in familiar boxes while accommodating a singer's preference (and probably other reasons).

Since tab is usually an attempt at note for note transcribing it would be better to transcribe it in Eb, IMHO....

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Whenever I tab out songs for people I tab it in the original recordings tuning, unless they specifically request they want it in drop D or whatever.

If the original recording is played in Eb you tab it in Eb, it is their job to transpose if they would like to.

 

[t77mackie]

Yeah, roger that.

And I hate, hate, hate, hate tuning my bass down!

 

[Febs]

Yeah, roger that.

And I hate, hate, hate, hate tuning my bass down!

You don't need to tune down to play in Eb. I'm certain that the bass player who recorded this originally in 1962 was tuned to standard tuning.

 

[t77mackie]

You don't need to tune down to play in Eb. I'm certain that the bass player who recorded this originally in 1962 was tuned to standard tuning.

Yeah, lesson learned after the fact...

But for me, personally, who can't leave well enough (the song) alone, I'm gonna improvise the crap over it. So I'd want that low E (flat).