Blog #3 Tablature vs. Notation
Tablature vs. Notation
Originally--even before the guitar was invented--lute music was written in a style of notation called "tablature." Tablature shows you which string and fret to play, rather than which pitch to play. It's kind of a "cheat sheet" to music. Some tablature has rhythmic notation (like the example above). Notice the number of lines (above...4 lines, below...6). And there are no clefs. The lines are strings on the instrument.
Here is a modern publication of old tablature, written for a 6-stringed instrument:
Eventually, tablature evolved to a modern version for guitar with 6 lines, one for each string. There are no rhythms - just numbers showing which string and fret to play.
Here's a C major scale in tablature (TAB):
Here's the beginning of Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters":
QUESTION: What are the benefits of tablature? Is it better/superior to standard musical notation? What are the drawbacks/negatives? Which do you prefer?
I think that tab is a good way to learn basic songs and get the hang of changing strings without adding reading sheet music into the mix.I think that it isn’t better than standard musical notation because it takes more time to find frets than notes for most musicians. More music is written in standard musical notation so you have more options for music. Not to mention when you have lead sheet music which is common in jazz groups, you aren’t able to use tab. I definitely like standard better because once I started tab it was a terrible habit to break. It made jazz band a lot harder.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with using tab just to start out; combining learning the instrument along with learning sheet music can be tough. Personally for me, it takes me longer to find notes on the fretboard rather than string and fret.
DeleteI think tablature can be useful for people who want to play music but can’t read it. I don’t think it would be harmful or bad as long as you still are making efforts towards reading music. I think one of the major flaws would be the fact that you don’t have to know the names of all the notes or know what pitch each of the strings are. I personally prefer standard notation but I think that if you want to play music you should go for whatever you are comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I feel like if you're not an actual musician, then reading just tab is fine but if you're planning on taking it far then you should learn the basics such as reading sheet music.
DeleteIf I were teaching guitar, I don't know if I would start them with reading music or tabs. It might be more beneficial for them to start with standard notation, but I worry that they might not stay engaged as well.
DeleteNot knowing and not having the notes I agree would be a real hinderance, but the TABS would be a great place to start for beginner musicians trying to learn music.
DeleteI think tablature is great for nonmusicians who are just learning the instrument for fun and don't intend on being serious because of the amount of time and studying it takes to learn the music theory associated with learning guitar. On the other hand, I think it is important for musicians to learn how to read sheet music and tablature so that said musicians are adaptable.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely! I am an advocate for learning how to actually understand basic theory.
DeleteI think tablature is a great resource to simplify music reading for non-musicians and even musicians. As a musician, sometimes I still get confused because some notes can be played on different strings. Tablature makes it easy to know what string you're on, and simplify the string crossings. The only difficulty I can see is the rhythm. With some tablature, there's no rhythm just spaces so if you would have to know the song before playing. For some non musicians, the notated rhythms might be confusing or they just may not be able to understand.
ReplyDeleteYeah, even with tablature it seems like there is still some music reading being done. Those poor beginners.
DeleteFor someone who’s not a string player I agree. It is very useful to know which string to play the notes on. That is something I struggle with quite a bit.
DeleteTablature is both a great resource and a hindrance to musicians and non-musicians alike. On one hand, tablature makes it relatively easy to play songs fast for musicians and non-musicians. However, new musicians might rely only on tablature to read music, and veteran musicians might become rusty at ready music because they are not consistently using that part of the brain. I can't deny how helpful it is for a late notice gig. Don't have time to learn the music, get the tablature. It's both good and bad.
ReplyDeleteI didn’t think about the late notice gig idea. That would be super helpful there. Great idea!
DeleteAgreed, I feel like TAB is pretty neutral in its positive to negative ratio. Super great positives to it while also have big negatives.
DeleteI like the concept of Tablature being used for a beginning Guitarist. It's definitely a challenge to try and learn both where notes are on a fretboard while also learning what notes are what on the music you are reading. However, I think as time goes on, a Guitarist should eventually learn how to read sheet music and not let their capabilities be tied down by whether or not TAB is available for them to use in a performance setting. Also, rhythmic ambiguity is something I feel could be an issue here.
ReplyDeleteRhythmic issues are a problem no matter what you read, honestly. 😂 I like that a lot of tabs will sometimes have little markings above or below to help with that issue, though it can still be a bit confusing to read.
DeleteI agree that is a good idea for beginners. Not having any notes or rhythms is very frustrating.
DeleteAlthough I am late to this, I think we all agree on the fact that the rhythmic integrity of tabs is annoying and one of its downfalls. Like I said on Orion's original post - we all have the same training so it funny that entails we all think the same about Tab!
DeleteTablature can be good for the beginner guitarist because it doesn't take as much effort to learn. It gives the reader all of the answers except for rhythms but even sometimes they do write the rhythms over the top of the music. The biggest drawbacks are not having all of the rhythms. I prefer reading notes and rhythms because that is what I know.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that as someone who also has a traditional sense of reading music, the idea that tab is not better can be based on bias. I am not saying I don't agree just an interesting thought.
DeleteOne of the benefits of Tab is the fact its great for beginner guitarists or guitarist without a traditional music background. It makes the joy of playing a instrument assessable to essentially anyone! I think that it is not superior due to the rhythmic integrity it lacks. One of the draw backs is the rhythmic integrity, and honestly it is the biggest flaw. Out-ways the others. I prefer traditional, it make me think more, but I rather think about the figure placement than have to dictate rhythm.
ReplyDelete