.BTAB File Extension
Bass Guitar ASCII Tablature File
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What is a BTAB file?
A BTAB file is a bass guitar tablature file saved in the ASCII tab format. It is a plain text file that contains bass guitar tabs and lyrics and may include symbols to denote various playing techniques. Users can create, open, and edit BTAB files with a text editor or import them into various tablature applications.
More Information
Bass guitar tablature is a musical notation that instructs bass guitarists on how to play a piece of music. Besides bass guitar tablature, the ASCII tab format may also save guitar tablature in .TAB files. The main difference between the files is that BTAB files store notes for 4 strings instead of 6 strings.
While the ASCII tab format stores tablature and lyrics, the format may also include symbols for instructing the playing of various techniques. Some symbol examples include the following:
- b - Bend string up
- r - Release bend
- v - Vibrato
- T - Tap
- t - Right hand tap
- S - Shift slide
The ASCII tab format is human-readable but may also be saved inconsistently since many people create BTAB files by typing in tablature in a simple .TXT file. They then change the .txt file extension to .btab.
How to open a BTAB file
You can open a BTAB file with various guitar tablature applications, including Arobas Music Guitar Pro (multiplatform). However, you need to change the .btab file extension to .tab and add 2 additional string lines above the 4 bass string lines in the file. Then, select File → Import → ASCII Tab in Guitar Pro and choose the TAB file to open it.
You can also open BTAB files with any text editor.
For example, you can open a BTAB file with Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft WordPad in Windows. To open a TAB file with Notepad, select File → Open....
In macOS, you can open a BTAB file with Apple TextEdit. To open a BTAB file with TextEdit, select File → Open....