tabs or music

[jimmy peters]

which one do you prefer and why?

[GuitaristZ]

well...I like tab because it is easy and quick to sightread. I actually prefer a combination of tab and music so I can see where the music is going easily and still be able to play it well.

[violation]

Music. Provides more information such as tempo, time signatures and timing (16th notes, triplets, etc).

[GuitaristZ]

Music. Provides more information such as tempo, time signatures and timing (16th notes, triplets, etc).

who needs that stuff...:tongue:

[Skoczylas]

If people were flu-ent in both, Music would win 100% to Everyone. There is no possible way you could beat reading music with Tabs.

But since no many poeple learn to rea music, and tab is so easy to do for anyone tabs are more popular.

I prefer Tabs.. only because I am not flu-ent in reading music.

[Lester B. Flat]

I play by ear so I don't really know either. If I was going to learn I would learn to read music. One of the advantages of me learning would be for me to more easily communicate my original compositions to other musicians. If I showed a keyboard or horn player tab, they would just look at me funny.

[jcayer]

I voted tab because I don't know music notation...

I'm trying to learn music language now, but if I was to do it again, I would learn how to read music at an early age..

[Hamm Guitars]

I don't have the patience for either and I can't sight read any of it.

I work with people that read charts all the time and can walk in on any gig if the charts are supplied. I, on the other hand, have never played anything note for note in my entire life as I am 100% pure wanker.

I think all you real musicians that can read music and use correct musical terms are missing out on all the fun of saying things like "rig-a-dig-dig-dig-dig -- dig -- dig-- bug-a-dah--bug-a-dah" to get your point accross.

[Lester B. Flat]

I think all you real musicians that can read music and use correct musical terms are missing out on all the fun of saying things like "rig-a-dig-dig-dig-dig -- dig -- dig-- bug-a-dah--bug-a-dah" to get your point accross.

I know how to talk to drummers. Puddle-a-dump.

[Tarl]

I can,t read music so I just do it by ear, tab, word of mouth and / or someone showing me. Been Ok with that approach for over 30 years...

[violation]

who needs that stuff...:tongue:
Haha, anyone who wants to build speed and play with a metronome, :rockon2: :rockon2:

[GuitaristZ]

Haha, anyone who wants to build speed and play with a metronome, :rockon2: :rockon2:
so really just shredders? :P

[violation]

Not necessarily, I know a lot of blues guys that incorporate small sweeps and fast licks (ie: repetitive pentatonic patterns) into their stuff.

[Luke98]

Tabs for sure, but im learning to read music in music class.
I'm helping a few other people so i'm still on the first page.

The first "song" is

on high E

0---1---3---0---1---3---0---1---3

and the next is

0---1---3---1---0---0---1---3---1---0

[zinga]

i like them both. sometimes i learn a song from tab then listen to the recording of it lol. some times yes sometimes no lol. what is fun is to write your own stuff then change it to tab.:rockon2:

[Starbuck]

For me, tab's the way to go. I have to think that for someone like me who is self taught largely via the internet, it has made me extremely lazy. Whatever you want it's out there in tab form. Except some really cool old Whitesnake. My Dad is a musician as are all his brothers. He plays fiddle and did not learn to read music till he was in his 50's. It's never too late, but when you haven't got alot of time (I have an almost 2 year old) the instant gratification of tabs will do for now.. I just keep in mind that it's never too late!

[jimmy peters]

I don't have the patience for either and I can't sight read any of it.

I work with people that read charts all the time and can walk in on any gig if the charts are supplied. I, on the other hand, have never played anything note for note in my entire life as I am 100% pure wanker.

I think all you real musicians that can read music and use correct musical terms are missing out on all the fun of saying things like "rig-a-dig-dig-dig-dig -- dig -- dig-- bug-a-dah--bug-a-dah" to get your point accross.

you sound like me. i dont even play a song the same way twice,(well not all of them)

jimmy

[simescan]

I have to go with Tab cause I can't read music, (I'm too lazy to learn).

[Mooh]

Standard notation for me, though I can read tab. I started to read some music about the time I started to read English, so it goes back a long way. By the time I picked up guitar at 14, I had been playing piano and singing seriously for years. Since I was 14 in 1972, commercially available tab was rare and unknown to me, I naturally didn't know there was an alternative. Armed with piano lesson books, some Segovia stuff, and a piano bench full of music, I taught myself. Dad was a composer, so he could answer my theory questions (or lead me to the answers, he was good at that) and tell me if I was messed up.

It's all good. It's a matter of what you need from music, what you want to do with it, how you need to communicate, and how much you want to know.

Reading music is good for me, even though it never helped me get the chicks.

Peace, Mooh.

[Renvas]

im new to guitars.. so i find it much easier to use tabs rather than scaled music...

[lolligagger]

I played saxaphone for oxer 10 years...I even studied at college so I did plenty of book learning and I can still read music. So far I have been too lazy to learn all the notes on the fretboard so I admit tab has been my main stay when learning a song.

[SinCron]

I cant read tabs. I learn from the music. All about trial, error and knowing your axe.

[PaulS]

I learned how to read music when I took instrumental music in high school and studied some classical guitar at the RCM. It has been many years since I used it so I'm not that proficient at it any more. Tabs are ok but most are never really correct or very useful for me. I know my keys, scales and timing but now a days I leave the rest up to my ear. Years back my goal was to be able to play what I hear going on in my head, getting closer. My time is limited so I cannot keep a tight practise schedule and I learn a lot just by listening and visuallizing what chords etc the artist is playing. It works for me.. I do feel that if you want to play you have to dig into some theory at one time or another, or you'll stagnate..

[Budda]

i can only guess that they mean do you learn songs from tab or sheet music?

i use my ears, and turn to tab if i absolutely cant figure it out. and even then, sometimes the tab is right so i have to change something anyway.

[I_cant_play]

I can use both but I really feel using tab has held me back sometimes. Reading music I think is beneficial for anyone, not only because it's the universal way of communicating among musicians but also, it makes you aware of the differences in timing in a piece of music. I think learning standard notation has improved my sense of rhythm greatly. I have nothing against tab and I'm definitely a lot better at using tab and not that great at reading music but I think reading music is all around a much better approach.

[Agata0023]

I tend to figure it out by ear, but I'll use tabs if I'm really stuck, or atleast use them to get an idea of what it should sound like (most tabs arent 100%) then figure the rest out by ear. I can't read music sheets. I tried to learn back in highschool....no dice.

[Geek]

Tabs for guitar and bass, music for keyboards.

[I_cant_play]

I tend to figure it out by ear, but I'll use tabs if I'm really stuck, or atleast use them to get an idea of what it should sound like (most tabs arent 100%) then figure the rest out by ear.

I do that too. Sometimes I take a quick look at a tab just to give me a place to start figuring out a solo or something. Sometimes it's just hard to get started..

[jane]

I voted music. I love tab but it's not very useful for pianists, and has a lot of limitations. I like programs like guitarpro or powertab where you get both... the tab tells you which string/position and the music tells you the rhythm and the dynamics.

[hammer744]

I tend to figure it out by ear, but I'll use tabs if I'm really stuck, or atleast use them to get an idea of what it should sound like (most tabs arent 100%) then figure the rest out by ear. I can't read music sheets. I tried to learn back in highschool....no dice.

Same here - ear first, tab if necessary to get a tough part

[offkey_]

I play by ear. If I get stuck, I get another guitar player to show me what he thinks.

[felenoral]

Tabs really help with fingering since there are so many different ways to play a note. Then again, musical notation has so many pros too. I like it when both are present for guitar.

[djem]

+1 to the above post. Notation for classical guitar actually has it's special symbols that indicate such things as string choice, position, fingering. To me, notation has an advatage because you 'see' the time value of the notes unlike with tab. Seems more natural for some reason.

Tab on ther hand, shows you the exact positioning and is easier for beginners to interpret. Well, it shows th exact positioning as seen by the transcriber. I've known many tabs to be incorrect.

[jimmy peters]

who needs that stuff...:tongue:

that comment from you, of all people?

good luck
jimmy peters

[-staind-]

Musical notes because without the Rhythm, tempo, Signature, Key, etc... I'm completely lost!!!! But I always preffer Having notes and tabs together(nothing can beat that!)

[arloskay]

I'll throw my hat into the "both" ring. They each have their own purpose, although admittedly tab cannot stand on its own, whereas music notation can.

[fraser]

tab can be a good instructional tool to give to a student- but its never accurate and i can learn by ear in about 80% less time. its too visual, and for me music is not a visual thing- otherwise id be lissning to shania twain instead of actual music.

[zontar]

+1 to the above post. Notation for classical guitar actually has it's special symbols that indicate such things as string choice, position, fingering. To me, notation has an advatage because you 'see' the time value of the notes unlike with tab. Seems more natural for some reason.

Tab on ther hand, shows you the exact positioning and is easier for beginners to interpret. Well, it shows th exact positioning as seen by the transcriber. I've known many tabs to be incorrect.

I've taken classical lessons--and even when playing in higher positions I prefer music to tab for classical. I find it easier than tab for classical.

But overall there's nothing wrong with a combination of the two--I'll switch between the two at times on electric. Especially for riffs. But I don't always play them at the same position.

[1PUTTS]

I'm a tab guy mainly because, while I can read music, I can't do it quickly or proficiently enough for it to be any fun. I guess it's a "path of least resistance" thing. For a beginner like myself, tab is a great way to just get started playing some songs.

Obligatory YouTube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5OHPgne1S4

[Milkman]

If I have to choose between the two I choose music notation over tab, for the simple reason that it allows you to communicate with musicians other than guitarists.

Truthfully though, developing your ears is infinitely more advantagious than either tab or notation.

I'll take someone with good ears any day over someone who can sight read, but lacks the ability to listen to music and hear the detail and be able to learn parts from it.

[Paul]

I'll take someone with good ears any day over someone who can sight read, but lacks the ability to listen to music and hear the detail and be able to learn parts from it.


The analogy I like to draw is that we'd never hand out DVD's of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", (or any other movie for that matter), if we were going to put on a play. The truly gifted artists are fully fluent and literate in their chosen language, whether that be English, music or colour theory.

There is a difference between playing notes, and playing music, and that is part of the artistry. Those who choose to remain musically illiterate because, "it'll ruin my creativity man!!!", (and we've all heard that sentiment), are doing themselves a great disservice.

There are only 12 notes, and four basic functions of chords. How hard can it be?

[Milkman]

The analogy I like to draw is that we'd never hand out DVD's of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", (or any other movie for that matter), if we were going to put on a play. The truly gifted artists are fully fluent and literate in their chosen language, whether that be English, music or colour theory.

There is a difference between playing notes, and playing music, and that is part of the artistry. Those who choose to remain musically illiterate because, "it'll ruin my creativity man!!!", (and we've all heard that sentiment), are doing themselves a great disservice.

There are only 12 notes, and four basic functions of chords. How hard can it be?


Which is why I chose to study music in ernest after having played professionally for years. Having good ears AND being able to read is the best combination. If it has to be one or the other the ears are more important IMO.

I know people with ARCT certificates who couldn't play a Deep Purple song without music notation.

[Wheeman]

BOTH! When I started playing bass guitar in my school's jazz ensemble I had to learn standard notation because everything was in standard notation and tabbing it out was slow and inaccurate. Learning both is a great benefit. Its easier to find chords, knowing where notes are, and makes it easier to get around the fingerboard.

Standard notation, yeah it takes a bit to learn, but, IMO, allows for more flexibility.

[Paul]

I know people with ARCT certificates who couldn't play a Deep Purple song without music notation.

Would that be most of the BSO? :smile:

I'm sure we agree 99 44100% on this topic. I'm a music education and standard notation absolutist. If the Ministry of Eductation put half the effort and $$$ into school music programmes that they do with the unproven standardized testing, I am quite convinced that it would take only a few years for the quality and substance of "popular" music to trend strongly upwards.

I understand the standard notation cannot cover all bases. Is Revolution 9 music? I say yes. But I cannot notate it.

But it really is only 12 notes in western music. That's it....

[Milkman]

Would that be most of the BSO? :smile:

I'm sure we agree 99 44100% on this topic. I'm a music education and standard notation absolutist. If the Ministry of Eductation put half the effort and $$$ into school music programmes that they do with the unproven standardized testing, I am quite convinced that it would take only a few years for the quality and substance of "popular" music to trend strongly upwards.

I understand the standard notation cannot cover all bases. Is Revolution 9 music? I say yes. But I cannot notate it.

But it really is only 12 notes in western music. That's it....


We do agree on this.

I guess the point I'm making is that theory is NEVER a negative thing, and particularly standard notation, however, without an inherent understanding of music in a very natural and organic sense, reading and writing music is useless IMO.

Turning your nose up at musical theory is just dumb. It's not necessary, but it's hard to imagine it being a detriment.

[Dude5152]

Tabs Rule! they give you the notes and all you have to do is apply the tempo of the notes and song by listening to the music.

[zontar]

It seems some here have set up a false dichotomy. (What's this--a guitarist using a big word?:smile:)

Learning to read music and developing one's ear are in no way mutually exclusive. Those who learned by ear will not lose anything by learning to read music. Why limit yourself unnecessarily?

[Milkman]

Learning to read music and developing one's ear are in no way mutually exclusive. Those who learned by ear will not lose anything by learning to read music. Why limit yourself unnecessarily?

Quite true and I'd say most of us would agree. I have done both and so has Paul and many others here.

BUT


given a situation where I HAD to make a choice I choose the musician over the analyst if you take my meaning.

Notation gives us a common language to communicate with, tools to compose and access to data. It will NOT make a non musician into a musician.

Music notation is math.

[zontar]

I wouldn't take the music reader or the musical ear over the other only on that basis. I'd have to consider the person as well--their personality, attitude, personal playing style and musicianship would all play into it. If you get a musician with a great ear, that's no guarantee they're a good musician or that they'd be most suitable.

I get your meaning, but there are a lot of variables.

[definitelymaybe1991]

We do agree on this.

Turning your nose up at musical theory is just dumb. It's not necessary, but it's hard to imagine it being a detriment.


of course it's necessary to learn theory O_O

how else do you think people learn to EFFECTIVELY improvise and write music? it's not just taking patterns and playing them around. lol.

it's important to know the intervals you're playing, how they notes sound over which chords. that takes theory, and lots of it.

[tenyrsgon]

I would have to say music! Knowing how to read music, there are more possibilities available then reading tab! I found that learning to read music taught me to be able to play more instruments then just the guitar! Reading music allows you to see every detail about the song to play it correctly...and well of course sheet music has one basic notation which is common to everyone whereas some tabs I have seen everyone uses different notations for (upstrokes, downstroke, hammer on's etc...)! Overall I found it to be more useful then tab but each to his own!

[sally_sockhop]

I'd say music for sure. It tells you so much more. Tabs annoy me - a lot of people I know use them to bypass actually learning to sightread.

The good thing about them is that you can find tabs of lots of songs for free, but you usually have to buy sheet music.

[Harmony78]

When I started playing, tab was nonexistent and there were on note for note music transcriptions (not for solos anyway)

Tab helps me quickly nail passages I can't get by ear. I also read standard notation quite often. And video clips are great (I'm a visual learner).

There's no "either or" for me. I use it all.

P.S. I don't like the "Olga" type tab format. I know it's free, but it's impossible to read!

[wnpgguy]

tabs/music... apples and oranges really. I know how to read both but primarily use tabs for the notes and sometimes there will be standard notaion above so I use that for the timing. I don't think I would ever read standard notation alone for guitar, its just so much slower for me when tabs practically jump off the page into my mind.

[GibsonTay37]

TAB, it's the only type of music i can read!

[Coustfan'01]

Tab+notation like guitar pro is the best of both worlds. You don't have to seach how to finger the tune properly ,and you have rythm indications too. You can even listen to it and slow it down.
I love guitar pro and powertab. They're pretty useful for noting down your stuff too.

[Mooh]

There is good tab and bad tab. If there is timing in the tab then it's good, imho, otherwise it's lacking. Some of the Mel Bay instructional books include timing in the tab.

One of the chief purposes of written music is to allow the player to read it, not knowing what it's supposed to sound like before hand, and make it sound right. Take out the timing and this isn't possible, because not all notes have the same length. Tab which is joined to standard notation is okay, but if the reader doesn't look for the timing, what purpose does it serve?

I'm not complaining, all this adds to my job security as an instructor, but basic reading does solve a lot of problems.

Peace, Mooh.

[DeleriumTrigger]

I voted tab but I feel the need to clarify. I don't -prefer- tab, I am stuck with it due to my complete inability to read music. kjdr

[Vintage_Groove]

I actually avoided learning tab when I started guitar, and forced myself to read the music instead. Now I'm picking up a Bass guitar and will continue to read music. If I choose to try piano (or keyboards) then I'll read music for that.

Tab has it's uses, but I find it too specific and limiting. I'm also learning music theory so I can understand how notes/chords are constructed and to be able to communicate with other musicians.

Ultimately it's for my son who's learning drums now, but already wants to pick up another instrument. I figure if I set him on the correct path at his young age he'll be set when he meets others (or wants to start his own band).

[steve60ca]

I prefer music. Why? Because I can read music and I can read music. Huh? you ask. I can read music and tab kills my eyes. Notes on a staff I can see clearly. Tab sometimes gets cramped and ya' gotta figure out the correct spacing. It's good for a solo, but to lay it out in front of me and play ... give me the music.

[Matthew-91]

Since December, I've been reading tabs for my acoustic. I find that I can play scales off the top of my head, but I have crazy trouble reading the sheet music for an guitar- I don't take lessons, I just self teach piano and guitar

[dwagar]

Tabs for guitar and bass, music for keyboards.

exactly.

on a keyboard one note on the staff relates to one key, but on a guitar the playing position is important (eg, that same note shows up a few times on the fretboard), tab gives you that.

hammer ons, pull offs, slides, bends and pre-bends, etc. IMO are easier to read in tab.

I'm struggling to learn keys, reading is important I think, but for guitar, I stick with tabs every time.

If you plan on getting studio work though, you better learn to read sheet music.

[Mr. Pink]

i can't read music either, so i prefer tabs. i can ear out certain songs, if they are easy, but for the most part, i read tabs.

[Lincoln]

I read music, haven't gotten the hang of tabs yet but I'm trying to learn tab cause that seems to be the way everything is written these days......on the net anyway.

[Stratocaster]

Tabs simply because it's easier.

[jimmy peters]

i have found thru the years that neither one really matters, IF the guitarist can FEEL the music.if he cant, he is hopeless anyway.
i have always read music, but am now learning tab.

[zontar]

on a guitar the playing position is important (eg, that same note shows up a few times on the fretboard), tab gives you that.



I took some refresher lessons in classical guitar as an adult--I was teaching at the time, and felt the need to brush up for some beginners who wanted to learn classical. I was reading music quite well then, and also dealt a lot with tab. SO I tried changing some of the tougher classical pieces I was learning into tab--but you know what? I didn't use the tabs--I stuck with the regular music notation. It indicates position changes, and I just found it easier to deal with--especially with the odd fingerings required in those pieces.

[wnpgguy]

If people were flu-ent in both, Music would win 100% to Everyone. There is no possible way you could beat reading music with Tabs.

But since no many poeple learn to rea music, and tab is so easy to do for anyone tabs are more popular.

I prefer Tabs.. only because I am not flu-ent in reading music.

I can read both music and tab and yet I prefer tabs hands down!? Tabs are Faster, easier to read, clear, easily accessable for almost any song, common language among generic new generation musicians... etc.

What I like best is the music/tab hybrid with music on top and tabs on the bottom. Clear and accurate.

POST 100 YAA :)

[Paul]

...Tabs are...common language among generic new generation musicians... etc.

Put tablature in front of an alto sax player and see how well this "common language among generic new generation musicians" works out for you.:smile:

Tablature can be, and often is, an excellent supplement to standard notation for developing musicians on the instrument for which the tablature was notated. I do not believe that standard notation is a supplement to tablature.

Fretless string instruments have gone centuries with standard notation.....I fail to see why those of us with bumps on the fingerboard need two different written notations to speak the same language.

We only use one alphabet for english, don't we???

[wnpgguy]

OK sorry the new generation "Guitar" player. All instruments need not apply, like the piano of course. Hands down Standard notaion, tabs would just twist my mind about.




Fretless string instruments have gone centuries with standard notation.....I fail to see why those of us with bumps on the fingerboard need two different written notations to speak the same language.

We only use one alphabet for english, don't we???

Relativly speaking we also used to use straight up gasoline in our engines. Worked well then, and still does now, Right? But things change/evolve. We now have hybrid cars that use gas when its needed, and electric when its needed, and sometimes both. If you havn't caught what I'm pitching it seems that people out there see the value in combining two different languages to form a new one thus creating a better more effecient way of doing things.



"All that is solid melts into air"

[Paul]

If you havn't caught what I'm pitching it seems that people out there see the value in combining two different languages to form a new one thus creating a better more effecient way of doing things.

I tried to catch your pitch, but it was a knucklball so I'll just wait until it stops rolling and then I'll pick it up. (I'm not good with sports analogies).

I am of the belief that tablature is neither better, nor more efficient, especially the stuff that is passed around as free tabs created with ASCII characters. The notations included in the guitar magazines are usually pretty good, and with standard notation included, are useful to non-guitar playing musicians too.

Standard notation supplemented by tablature is quite useful to many guitarists, but the tablature is of no bloody use to other musicians that don't happen to be playing guitar.

I think a better analogy than your hybrid car idea would be the different accents and dialects in the UK. My mother is a Geordie, from Newcastle Upon Tyne. Geordies have a very thick accent, and local slang that is unique. Years ago I watched a documentary on the history of english speaking people around the world. The section on the Geordies was the only part they had to subtitle so 'normal' english speakers could understand what the $%!! they were saying.

I suspect that most non-guitarists would like those subtitles when faced with tablature. In music, that subtitling would be done in standard notation.

[zontar]

I suspect that most non-guitarists would like those subtitles when faced with tablature. In music, that subtitling would be done in standard notation.

Good point.
And if a song is in tab, I prefer it to have standard notation as well. I can read from either. Sometimes the tab is wrong--and you can check it against the notation.

And the standard notation, as you say, is subtitles for other instruments--even if they play guitar, it's easier to play off notation.

I know when I taught guitar and had bands, it was easier to transcribe the keyboard parts from standard notation.

[zontar]

I was sorting through my old guitar magazines, catalogs, etc, the other day, and while skimming through a 1987 issue of Guitar Player I came across an article.
-"Man Does Not Read By Tab Alone" by Fred Adams.

He outlines & expands several points raised in favour of reading music. He makes a parallel between the old saying about teaching a man to fish vs just giving him a fish.

He also equates tab with being functionally illiterate.
I place working solely by tabulature, fingerboard diagrams, or other such aids in the same category as functioning in everyday society by following universal signs with pictures but no words. It's a shortcut and a means to an end, but it's no free lunch. You pay by shrinking your horizons.

He doesn't discount Tab, as I don't either. It has its uses. But it is better if Tab is the supplement or aid, not the primary source.

The kicker for me is his ending-
If you read tabulature only , you are using the same eye/hand coordination and cognitive skills that a musically literate musician employs when working from standard notation. If you can learn to read tabulature, you obviously can learn to read music, which I strongly advise. It involves no magic, and there is nothing bizarre about it. (emphasis added) You simply put in the time, and reap the benefits of opening your musical horizons.

It's in the January 1987 issue, I couldn't find it online (I found one dead link.)

Your thoughts?

[Paul]

Your thoughts?

Re-read my posts, and you'll see that those are my thoughts!!!

I just spent a few hours arranging "Choo Choo Ch' Boogie" for 5 horns, 4 rhythm and 3 voices.

That can't be done in tablature.

[zontar]

I had no doubt about your thoughts--but this topic keeps getting bumped up in the new posts list--presumably by people voting in it--so maybe there's life left.

I've expressed the same general thoughts as well. Just wanted to see if anybody else had any--but thanks for sharing that again. You do make a good point in this regard.

[RIFF WRATH]

I am learning bass.......which for me as a beginner entails playing root notes..so far I have been muddeling through finding the required notes and very very slowly locating them on the fretboard.......just recently my teacher threw a couple of songs to learn in tab....now I have to substitute the notes myself to continue learning the various locations........while i find the tab system easier (bass guitar, mind you) I wonder if I wasn't better off being shown the notes.....I think time will tell........and this is not, as yet, learning standard music notation........

[Paul]

I am learning bass.......which for me as a beginner entails playing root notes..so far I have been muddeling through finding the required notes and very very slowly locating them on the fretboard.......just recently my teacher threw a couple of songs to learn in tab....now I have to substitute the notes myself to continue learning the various locations........while i find the tab system easier (bass guitar, mind you) I wonder if I wasn't better off being shown the notes.....I think time will tell........and this is not, as yet, learning standard music notation........

If you are intent on learning standard notation, I would suggest that it is easier to learn on bass than guitar, if only because bassists typically play single notes much more frequently than guitar player. Standard notation will give you timing information as well, which tablature often doesn't unless accompanied by some form of standard notation.

The skill set you develop when you learn by rote that the note D is at the 5th fret on the A string uses the same cognitive processes as learning that D is the middle line of the Bass clef.

Once you understand how standard notation applies to music written for an electric bass guitar, it is a short reach to applying that understanding to "regular" guitar, and then on to any other instrument with which you would like a musical conversation.

[miikkakipper]

who needs that stuff...:tongue:

If you want to be on time you'll need sheet music to tell you that. Tabs only tell you what to play, but in music, it tells you EVERYTHING.:smilie_flagge17: