Learning Tips

Reading Music Notation VS Tablature

Whether to learn how to read Notation or Not.....that is the Question !

Well....there are plenty of thoughts on this topic:

There is no wrong or right answer.

The fact is that there are Pros and Cons to both.

Some of the Pros for Music Notation,

it can show the Timing , Rests , Keys and Dynamics of a piece of music (or Song).

Some of the Cons,

it assumes you know where all the notes of an instrument are, and in the case of Guitar (or Bass), it does not show where on the fretboard these notes are intended to be played.

It also takes a little while to learn.

Some of the Pros for Tablature,

it can show where on the fretboard to play the notes of a piece of music (or Song), as well as slides, hammer-ons etc.

Can be learned relatively quick.

Some of the Cons,

it doesn't show you Timing, Keys and Dynamics of a piece.

Therefore you need to have an audio of the music to refer to or know it really, really well.

Generally, I have found that if an instrument is picked-up at an early age, it is easier to learn Notation (the younger you are, the more patient) and it puts all aspects of music into play.

If an instrument (specifically Guitar or Bass) is picked-up later on, people tend to want to 'get-on-with-it' (playing Songs etc.), so they prefer reading Tablature.

Here at Easy Guitar Lessons, young students are taught how to read Music Notation.

With the older students, whilst Music Notation is encouraged, it is their choice, according to their personal goals, direction and aspirations.

Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below: