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FretTab
What FretTab is
FretTab is a paid tablature tool for writing basic ukulele melodies, riffs, and chord progressions. It uses GCEA tuning and provides tablature-only notation with string tabs, measures, repeats, bar lines, line spacers, pull-offs, hammer-ons, and slides. Chord choices cover major, 7th, minor, min7, maj7, dim7, aug, 6th, m6, 7b5, m7b5, 7#5, 7b9, and 9 types. A Copy button lets you select or enter a font size, then move tabs or chords into another document. Keyboard character and keystroke information is included for entering material. FretTab runs on macOS and Windows. Macintosh offers a color version supporting Aquila Kids strings, with color, grey, and black-and-white chord displays; Windows is black and white. The maker says it works with most macOS apps, including Bean, Byword, Pages, and TextEdit. Install the three supplied custom chord fonts before opening it. The FretTab Software Bundle costs $10, paid once.
Who it suits
It suits teachers, individual instructors, and players wanting a quick way to capture simple ukulele ideas. It is also aimed at people who find complex tablature intimidating.
What it does well
- Supports GCEA ukulele tuning
- Includes standard and advanced chord types
- Copies tabs or chords into documents
- Runs on macOS and Windows
What to know first
- No free plan or free trial
- Tablature only, without notation modes
- Windows version is black and white
- Requires three custom chord fonts installed
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FretTab Software Bundle | GCEA tuning · Mac & Windows | $10, paid once |
As ukefarm.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
FretTab focuses on straightforward GCEA tablature, chord entry, and document copying. Its limited notation scope suits basic ideas rather than advanced notation or MIDI workflows.
Facts from FretTab's own pages
- Advanced-work limits
- The maker describes FretTab as a simple notation tool and points users seeking tablature, notation, and MIDI playback to TablEdit. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Audience
- It is intended for teachers, individual instructors, and people who want a quick way to capture a basic melody or find complex tablature intimidating. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Chords
- It includes standard chords (major, 7th, minor, min7, maj7, dim7, and aug) and advanced chords (6th, m6, 7b5, m7b5, 7#5, 7b9, and 9). · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Code signing
- The Read Me says the Windows app is code signed and that modifications invalidate its code signature. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Color support
- The color version supports Aquila Kids strings and is available for Macintosh; the Windows version is black and white only. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Copy and paste
- A Copy button lets users select or enter a font size, copy tab or chords, and paste them into a document. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Document apps
- The maker says FretTab works with most macOS apps, including Bean, Byword, Pages, and TextEdit. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The Windows and macOS Read Me instructions say to install the three included custom chord fonts before opening FretTab. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Keyboard entry
- The app provides character and keystroke information for entering tab and chords from a keyboard. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Mac display
- The Macintosh color version can display in full color or grey, and chord sets are also available in black and white outline. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- FretTab is a simplified tablature tool for capturing basic melodies, riffs, and chord progressions. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Tab features
- Included tablature features are string tabs, measures, repeats, bar lines, line spacers, pull-offs, hammer-ons, and slides. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Tuning
- FretTab supports ukulele tuned GCEA. · ukefarm.com, 11 Oct 2026
Where FretTab stands on Freedom251
- Guitar Tab Software#29 of 32