• NYKG
  • Junior Member
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  • Registered: 2011-03-18
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

I recently started learning the Guitar a couple months back and started by learning basic chords and progressing learning a song and it's chords/strumming pattern. I decided to have lessons and have just had my second a couple days ago, I enjoy them but have a concern or two.

My teacher specializes in finger picking which is what I like, however, I'm learning to read from sheet music and this is where I have my dilemma. I guess my question would be should I stick with the sheet music or learn tabs/chords.

I see the advantages of sheet music, it's a great skill to have and I'll be able to read all sheet music but whilst doing lessons (2 per month) it's costing alot of money and takes a long time to progress. I speak to alot of people who've learnt and play using tabs and chords and feel this could be a quicker method to getting started.

Right now I'd like basic knowledge of chords and my Guitar (which I pretty much have) and to be able to learn  and play a song fairly quickly. Another concern is getting hold of sheet music compared to tabs, tabs are free and online where as sheet music seems to cost and isn't too common?

Any advice?

Thanks.

2 Reply by Buzzwagon (edited by Buzzwagon 2011-04-16 17:19:42)

  • From: Hampshire, UK
  • Registered: 2008-11-23
  • Posts: 306

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

HI NYKG and welcome to Chordie. I have a piece of software called Guitar Pro that includes both tab and the sheet music. Finding chords for whatever you're looking to play is easy, there are loads of sites all over the internet as I'm sure you're aware. Take a look at Guitar Pro, I use it all the time and I reckon it's the dogs, there are something like 40000 songs currently available from the internet! Here's a link to their website

http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php

See what you think but if I were starting again I'd certainly be learning how to read the dots!

Jerry

Live the life you love, love the life you live
  • zguitar
  • Don't call me Sir
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  • From: Mentone, Ca
  • Registered: 2009-01-10
  • Posts: 1,367

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

Welcome NYKG!!!! You'll find Chordie full of helpful info.

As far as sheet music goes, I think most people (I could be wrong) use a chord/song sheet like you find here on Chordie. These are what I use. Tabs are also a popular version. For quick and easy learning I don't see actual sheet music serving well. Especially if you don't know how to read it.

I don't finger pick so this is just my advice. Since you've only been playing for a couple months, I would recommend you stick to strumming songs for a little while. I think it would be a good foundation for rhythm,timing, and just basic motor skills. With picking, your hand are all over the place, so if you learn lots of chords you should have better control of your fingers and which ones and where to place them.

Lessons are only as good as the material being taught. Theory and such are definetly good things to learn, but they don't get you any hand time with your guitar. You need to ask yourself if the cost of the lesson outweighs the benefit. Personally, I don't think 2 lessons per month is enough. It should be at least once a week. Being left to you own devices for too long between lessons you could develop bad habits or be learning something wrong.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

Good luck!!!!!!

Keep Rockin!!!!!!!!!!!
  • From: Tooele Ut
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 4,049

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

If you want to do it right, learn music theory, but that doesn't preclude you from learning tab as well.  I don't know music theory very well and it is really not necessary, but a good thing to learn.  Just practice a lot and you will get better each week if you keep it up.

You can see all my video covers on [url]http://www.youtube.com/bensonp1000[/url]
I have finally found happiness in my life.  Guitars, singing, beer and camping.  And they all intertwine wonderfully.
  • dino48
  • Honoured Member
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  • From: los banos,california
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 6,801

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

Sheet music,you you can not go wrong if you learn it from the right teacher.

my papy said son your going too drive me too drinking if you dont stop driving that   Hot  Rod  Lincoln!! Cmdr cody and his lost planet airman
  • From: NY
  • Registered: 2009-08-26
  • Posts: 4,320

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

Hmm... Knowing how to read sheet music IS a very good skill.  It can really help you out with a LOT of things musically.  I must say, most sheet music that I read that's written "for guitar" also includes chords (often with little chord charts).  Soooooo ... I'd say learning to read chord charts is pretty important (it's also really pretty easy to grasp).  I CAN read music, but I use chords for playing my guitar.  I haven't learned all the notes up and down the fretboard yet (and frankly haven't had a huge desire to yet.  I do want to, but it's not so important to me at the moment).  I do know where they are on a piano, and can get a good idea of how a song goes by  looking at sheet music (the melody, singing, time, etc). 

Not sure if my thoughts helped at all.  I'm not sure what I'd do in your shoes either.  BUT.., WELCOME TO CHORDIE!!

Amy

Art and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder.
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.

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  • NYKG
  • Junior Member
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  • Registered: 2011-03-18
  • Posts: 4

Re: Sheet Music or Tabs Dilemma

Thanks for everyone's advice, I'm taking it all in.

For now, as long as I'm enjoying it and it's going well I'll continue with the sheet music, I think learning tabs will be easier than vice versa and the benefits are greater with sheet...hopefully :-)