The Steel Guitar Forum

A forum member requested this tab:

Harbor Lights

The tune is so simple that it'd make a good Introduction to the Lap Steel Guitar selection. Personally, I've always liked Harbor Lights and I had a lot of fun doing this tab.

Enjoy,

Craig.

Hi Craig: I love this song also. Thanks for all the tabs.

Junior

WOW, Craig! You did it, thanks so much! It was one of the first 'serious songs' I learned from the 'traveling Oahu teachers' back in early 50's. One I could always play, even with time away from steel over the years, that and Steel Guitar Rag. Maybe I'm pushing that 'senior envelope' a little harder for some of those skills these days, they don't come as easy anymore..ha! But this will take me back to there with some practice. Your generosity and amazing talent inspires me! Thanks again Craig ..play on..tab on ..& keep on keeping on .. dan

Craig your harbor lights and red sails in the sunset are great thank you brian

Craig,

Nice Job.

In the future, will you be giving any helpful guidance for Tabbing songs, so that some of us can join you?

I would not want you to feel like you are doing it alone.

Also we don't want you to burn out too
quickly.

Aloha,
Don

Craig your harbor lights are great

Several people have asked how I post these tabs to the forum. I hope my long-winded answer (below) helps.

First, the tab software I'm using is PowerTab, which is a freeware. PowerTab, though, is very limited. I don't believe you can tab for more than 7 strings. Consequently, you'd probably want to investigate a different software for tabbing for your 8 and 10 string instruments. On the off-chance you might still consider PowerTab, it can be accessed at www.power-tab.net

Second, after I've completed the tab to my liking, I print via "PDF 995" which is a freeware that produces Adobe .pdf files (notice how I tend to use freewares? Yeah, I'm cheap!) When I say "print" I don't mean to literally print the document. Rather, the PDF 995 is accessed through your printer command, and it doesn't print a paper document, it simply creates an Adobe file. PDF 995 can be accessed at http://www.pdf995.com/

Now, what happens if you create an Adobe document and then discover something needs to be changed in the tab? Are you stuck with the file as is? Absolutely not. Go back to your tab software, change what needs to be changed, and then again tell it to "print" using PDF 995. Save to the same place you saved the original Adobe file, but tell it to overwrite. Thus, you can "print" over and over again until you get it right.

Third, after I've created an Adobe document to my liking, I then access my personal web space and upload the Adobe document I've created. Then I open the file and copy its internet address.

Fourth, I go to the Tablature section of the SGF, create a new thread, make some appropriately (or inappropriately) "witty" remark, and then create a hyperlink for the Adobe file. I do that in the following format:

There'll Be Some Changes Made.

Where it says "INTERNET ADDRESS OF FILE", instead paste the internet address you've copied. Where it says "There'll Be Some Changes Made", instead type in the title of the song. Be sure to use this exact format or it won't produce a hyperlink.

Fifth, I come back to the SGF a day later and see if anyone liked the tab. Sometimes they do; sometimes they don't. But on this forum people are always polite.

Hope this helps, guys and gals. Please be sure to ask if you have further questions.

Thanks,

Craig.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Craig Prior on 26 January 2006 at 08:19 AM.]</p></FONT>

Good job (again) Craig! You're as good at explaining what you do as ... 'doing what you do'... I'm sure I am just one of a long list of appreciative 'forumites' who feel that way! Thanks for all your very talented 'hard work' and sharing it with us! dan<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dan Peterson on 26 January 2006 at 09:58 AM.]</p></FONT>

Craig,

Many thanks for your helpful post as to how this is done.

I am attempting to learn to do this and hope that I will be able to make some tabs that will be helpful. I will be doing Hawaiian tabs when it occurs.


I enjoy your arrangements much.

Aloha,
Don

Aloha Craig. I've been practicing your tab for "Harbor Lights", a beautiful song. Mahalo. Could you post a version which includes the words under the notes? I find that most helpful in learning to play, and I got a little confused as to where the words went in relation to the notes.