In some ourcase.co.uk degree, both TAB and standard notation casesam.co.uk is same.
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I like sheet music that has both - one for reminders and one for nuances.
http://www.learningstyles.org/styles/
This is true. The ways our brains ingest information is different for everyone.
Music is aural, but playing is a kinesthetic abstraction that produces a sound.
To write it on paper, is a second layer of abstraction, because you still have to convert that into a kinesthetic to produce an aural result. How to best make that translation depends on the person.
I think in shapes/position
Some people think in staff/graphic
Some people think in word/letter labels, ie A, or chords
Some people think directly to sound
Some people think in muscle memory.
Everyone is different.
I have difficulty with staff on frets. But on keyboard, its very logical
So.. different strokes for different folks.
One way may be better for you. That's great. But not everyone is just like you.
I have long held a theory that the "bell curve" that has long been used to measure students' abilities in the classroom has less to do with ability and much more to do with how well that particular learning environment matches a given student's learning style. From time to time, I read something that indicates I am not alone in this and that at least some schools are dealing with this issue by providing different means for various students to learn.
Tony
I agree with what's been said. Let me add the following:
At a minimum a player should learn to read the melodic line in standard notation. Ohta-San says that you should always begin with the melody. Learn to play the melody and memorize it. If you really want to get even better, transpose it into different keys but learn the melody line. If you're using a simplified version of a song such as the arrangements in the Jim Beloff Daily Ukulele fakebooks, learn to read the melody line before playing the chords. Sing along with the melody and get it down exactly. Then play the chords. You'll be a better musician and you'll see where the melody notes occur in the chords or you can even add the melody note to the chords and discover the subtleties of extended and altered chords.
With notation, you can choose which way you would like to finger. A user who only knows tabs may not even have an idea that a piece can be played differently.
Tabs add another layer of abstraction in my opinion. When you play by notation, you train your brain to associate notes with places on the fretboard.
Another negative with tab is you do not learn the fretboard. When you learn notation, you learn quickly that there are several places to play the same note. Also by becoming familar with the notes on the fretboard, you become a better player
Chords, TAB, Notation?! Whatever the individual enjoys. 3 chords is the comfort of the majority of 'ukulele players I know and they are happy with that. Ric
I think in shapes/position
Some people think in staff/graphic
Some people think in word/letter labels, ie A, or chords
Some people think directly to sound
Some people think in muscle memory.
I think in pictures, and in muscle memory.
I saw a post recently where someone was talking about remembering the tabs for songs and it got me to thinking...
I started out playing ukulele by looking at tabs and not paying attention to the musical notation. After a year of playing, I have started covering up the tabs with tape on a song so that I concern myself with only the true musical notes themselves and not be tempted to look at tabs for help.
For me, using tabs is like reading the the abridged and simplified language version of a Shakespearean play. Sure, you might get the general idea of the major themes and symbolism in the story but you miss the way the man wanted you to experience the story...
all the wonderful word play and rhythmical flow of the dialogue, etc
.
The same can be said of tabs, they "get you through the song" but understanding the notes, their lengths, rests and how these all work together in each measure and how the measures connect to each other give the music it's emotion, power and rhythmical nature.
Furthermore, tabs never helped me to be good at keeping a beat because the numbers on the lines never tell you how long to play them or when a rest comes or anything else about the color of the note and how it flows to the next note; all you get are numbers on lines.
I personally wish I would have taken the time to read music notation first, it is a task in itself; but in the end, I believe the benefits far outweigh the time spent learning to play a song "the right way" using music notation.
Thoughts?
How I am improving my reading of music notation:
A free iPad app called Music Tutor. And lots of practice on my uke. Also, I put Mel Bay's Modern Ukulele Method Grade 1 into my practice book rotation. There are no tabs in the book; although he shows you were the notes are on the fret board at the beginning.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r176/james14076/uke20tab_zpsicucykex.jpg
This tab should give accurate timing.