What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
intabulate
Example
He intabulated the piece for the lute. [intabulate: verb]
Example
The intabulation included additional ornamentation and improvisation. [intabulation: noun]
transcribe
Example
She transcribed the piano piece into a lead sheet. [transcribed: past tense]
Example
The speech was transcribed into written form for the hearing-impaired audience. [transcribed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Transcribe is more commonly used than intabulate in everyday language, as it has a broader application beyond early music or historical performance. Transcribe is versatile and can be employed in various contexts, while intabulate is less common and refers to a specific type of musical notation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between intabulate and transcribe?
Both intabulate and transcribe are formal words that are typically used in academic or musical contexts. However, transcribe is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while intabulate is more specific to early music or historical performance and may be less familiar to non-musicians.
