In this lesson, we will be exploring the difference between guitar tabs and standard notation. Explaining the difference between reading the two and discussing which is better for beginners. Along with providing examples to enhance your understanding.
Learning to play the guitar opens up a world of musical possibilities, but beginners often wonder whether to start with guitar tabs or sheet music. Both offer unique advantages, but they cater to different learning styles and goals. This lesson will help you decide which might be better for you.
Guitar Tabs
Guitar tablature, commonly known as guitar tabs, is a simple and direct method for learning songs on the guitar. Tabs use numbers and lines to represent the strings and frets on the guitar, making it easy to understand where to place your fingers.
Example of Guitar Tabs
This is an example of tablature. Or guitar tabs for short. The six lines in this example represent the guitar strings with the biggest string (low E) on the bottom. The vertical lines indicate the measure sections.
The lines will represent the guitar strings, and the number will indicate which fret you play on. This first example shows the 5th fret on the 5th string. The second example shows a C major chord in tablature. The numbers will indicate what frets to play, but not always which fingers.
Guitar tabs are a simplified version of sheet music that allows you to quickly determine where to put your fingers along the fretboard and which frets along the strings.
In this example, we have multiple notes across multiple strings and multiple measures. You play the 2nd fret on the 6th and 5th strings, along with the 5th and 4th frets on the 5th string. Since the notes are written one after another, this is the way you play them. When they are stacked as in the C major chord example, they are played together.
Key Points:
- Lines represent the strings of the guitar, with the bottom line being the low E string and the top line representing the high E string.
- Numbers indicate which fret to press on the respective string.
Advantages of Guitar Tabs
- Easy to Learn: Tabs provide a straightforward visual representation of where to place your fingers.
- Quick Access: Ideal for quickly learning parts of a song or specific riffs.
- Widely Available: Many songs are available online in tab format.
Remember, these are just small examples to show you how this form of sheet music looks and how you might benefit from learning it. There are plenty more to look at, and I highly recommend you take time to learn to read guitar tabs, as they will give you insight into how music is constructed.
Sheet Music
Sheet music is a more traditional form of musical notation and provides a comprehensive understanding of music theory. It uses symbols to represent rhythm, pitch, and other musical elements.
Example of Sheet Music
This example above shows the music staff lines with a treble clef upon them. Standard notation (sheet music) is divided into treble and bass clef. Since the guitar is a treble instrument, this is the part that you would be working with. If you look closely, you will see that there are only 5 lines and not 6. The reason for this is that the lines do not represent guitar strings like the tablature does.
With staff lines, you can play the music on any instrument. Guitar tab is specifically designed for the guitar. Also, since the lines represent the pitch of the notes, spaces in between the lines will also be used.
In this example, we can see that the notes are on both the lines and the spaces in between. The five lines will be E, G, B, D, and F, and the spaces between the lines will be F, A, C, and E, which spell face. So, if you look closely at both the lines and spaces, you'll see that the notes go through the musical alphabet. Starting with the letter E.
Reading Chords
The G major chord is made up of three notes: the G, B, and D. If you look at the diagram above, you can see that these three notes are represented. Very similar to the chord diagram in guitar tab. But instead of using numbers, you use symbols for the notes.
The same thing goes for the C major chord. The notes of this chord are C, E, & G. If you look at the diagram of the notes in the spaces, you can see we are using these three notes in this chord. The G major chord uses the notes on the lines, and the C major chord uses the notes in the spaces.
Strum Pattern
Here is an example of how an eighth note strum pattern would look in standard notation. Notice the things already discussed in the diagram. Staff lines and the treble clef. As you can see from this example, this type of sheet music is represented by symbols. Just learn the symbols, remember what they represent, and you'll be set.
Advantages of Sheet Music
- Comprehensive Understanding: Learning to read music gives you a deeper understanding of rhythm, dynamics, and musical expression.
- Versatile: Once mastered, you can play any instrument that uses sheet music.
- Professional Skill: Essential for those who wish to pursue music professionally.
Sheet music can be a bit difficult to wrap your head around at first, but it can give you a wealth of information about songs and open you up to a whole new world of possibilities. You just have to take learning it step by step. If you find it too difficult (which is ok), then I recommend learning to read guitar tabs. No shame in either option.
Tabs vs. Sheet Music: Which is Better for Beginners?
This is an example of the G Major scale written in guitar tab format. Notice the simplicity of the notation. Easy to read and easy to understand from a guitarist's point of view.
This is an example of the G Major scale written in sheet music format. Notice the detail of the notation. Gives you the treble clef, time signature (how many beats per measure), and shows you the note that has the sharp. The F# note. Notice how the notes also rise in pitch along the staff lines.
Which is better for you?
Guitar Tabs for Beginners
- Pros: Tabs are generally easier to pick up for beginners, especially those who want to start playing songs quickly without delving into music theory.
- Cons: They do not provide information on rhythm or dynamics, potentially limiting musical expression.
Sheet Music for Beginners
- Pros: Offers a well-rounded musical education, teaching you about timing, rhythm, and dynamics.
- Cons: It can be more challenging and time-consuming to learn initially.
Recommendation
For beginners eager to start playing songs right away, guitar tabs are an excellent starting point. They allow you to get a feel for the guitar and can be a satisfying way to learn. However, if you are interested in a more comprehensive understanding of music or plan to play multiple instruments, investing time in learning sheet music is beneficial.
Getting Started: Exercises for Beginners
Guitar Tabs Exercise
- Learn Basic Chords: Practice tabs for basic chords like G, C, D, and E minor.
- Play Simple Songs: Start with simple songs that use basic chord progressions.
Sheet Music Exercise
- Familiarize yourself with Notes: Learn the notes on the treble clef and their corresponding position on the guitar.
- Rhythm Practice: Clap out rhythms or practice with a metronome to get comfortable with timing.
Lesson Conclusion
By exploring both guitar tabs and sheet music, you'll develop a versatile set of skills that will serve you well on your musical journey. Remember, the best method is the one that keeps you motivated and excited to play.
Thanks for your time today. I hope you felt like you learned something. Study these concepts and see which one is best for you. If you need any personal assistance, contact me at my website, and I will be happy to help. Best of luck with your guitar playing, and take care.
Sincerely, Dwayne Jenkins
