Ancient tabs are a blast from the past

[sunjamr]

We’ve had quite a few discussions about reading tabs here on the forum over the past few years. Some members hate it, and other members love it. This dude discusses the history of tabs and how it was written and used hundreds of years ago. I had no idea that such detailed information on rhythm, hammer-ons, pull-offs, trills etc was included in the tabs from those days. When you look at those ancient tabs, you are able to reproduce exactly what a composer who lived maybe 500 years ago was expecting you to play. In another of his videos, he mentioned that he usually plays directly off the tabs during concerts. I have sometimes played directly off Brian’s tabs while I am learning lessons. I wonder if that might be better than clogging my brain trying to memorize all those lessons in my repertoire. Can you play while reading Brian’s tabs? And do you?

Sunjamr Steve

Topic

[Jean-Michel G]

Ah! Tabs!…
Yep, they are very old. Much older than standard music notation, in fact.

Although I was initially taught how to read standard notation, I never understood why people hate tabs. They are complementary to standard notation. Scores tell what to play, tabs tell you how to play it. If you take a score of a piece written for guitar, you will usually find it clogged with additional indications about how to play the piece (particularly the strings and frets to use, since this is big challenge on a guitar). That sort of information can be more easily and more neatly provided in a tab.

Originally, tabs didn’t provide any rhythmic information and that is sometimes still the case today; it is then necessary to hear the music in order to be able to play it. Also, some things are much clearer in standard notation; for example, melodic line contours, intervals and chord structures are much easier to visualize on a score than on tab.
And of course, tabs are instrument specific. They are useless for conductors…

I can sight read standard notation and therefore also tabs but I personally find it easier to sight read a score. Tabs help me deciphering the piece while I am learning it (although sometimes I may choose a different fingering or position on the fretboard). But once I know it, I prefer to read from the score.

[JoLa]

Oh, wow. I never knew that tabbing was used for centuries already.

Of course I use tabs! I also understand standard notation and can sight read very simple pieces for both guitar and piano or I may need time to decipher them. When I first started learning guitar I tried to only use standard notation but once I discovered tabs, I didn’t see the point anymore. I guess they work well in modern times because we have recorded music everywhere and can simply hear how it should be played. However, I still like to see the notation along with the tabs to understand the timing.

I use Brian’s interactive tablature to play along the lessons until I memorize them. And then once I forget them again, the tabs are a quick reminder unless I can figure something out by ear (but that takes longer).

Playing from tabs without memorizing is ok but in my case, if I want to focus on the expression, feel or dynamics, I have to memorize the piece, otherwise everything sounds too mechanical.

♪JoLa

[San Luis Rey]

I just assumed tabs were a new, easier more modern way to put music to paper. More like a shortcut to learning standard notation. Guitar sheet music was like trying to learn a foreign language for me. Brian’s tab viewer with the video that you can enlarge is the easiest way for me to learn a new lesson.

Mike

[John H]

I love tablature but did not know they were an age old medium. Nevertheless I am a big fan of the Sound Slice thing (moving tablature with music). This just suits my learning style. Also, I rarely learn or memorize anything the way it is written. Even if it is Brian’s. I take the main idea(s) then freestyle from there. Just a habit.

[Mark T]

A fantastic, and enlightening, find Steve! I too had no idea that Guitar Tabs went so far back; I thought they were a recent invention. The amount of detail – even down to which finger/thumb to use – is amazing. Thanks for posting this! I don’t feel so hesitant now to admit that I play, but can’t read ‘standard’ music notation 👍🤓

For Brian’s lessons, I’m so grateful that he provides his videos and explanations; which is how I normally learn his lessons, looping a section and memorising before moving to the next section. I use the Tab-Sheet and SoundSlice mainly to check and practice twiddly bits. I use my DAW to slow a piece down while I try to get up to full tempo (not always possible for me 😂). It’s the combination of all these resources, as well as Brian’s teaching style, that makes each lesson so enjoyable and not overwhelming! 😎

[Author]

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