what to read

[Maureen]

Hey guys, I'm an absolute beginner to the acoustic guitar. I've played piano for 7 years and i was wondering what type of music is more commonly used in guitar- standard or tablature? I see that tab is easier to read, but should i bother learning to read standard? I can read standard using the piano but i find it confusing to apply it to the guitar. Help!

Thanks

[popmusic_sux]

You can go ahead and learn using tabs (but most of them online are wrong somehow) but since you already know how to read standard notation, I think you should at least learn how it applies to the guitar.

[Malcolm]

I agree, if you did not already know standard notation I'd steer you away from it --- learning two new things, how to read stanadard notation fast enough to use it and then where the notes are on the fretboard is too large a step right at first. Reading tab is not that hard - after 30 minutes most will have the fundementals down pat.

As you do not know where the notes are on your fretboard right now, I think 30 minutes spent in how to read tabs would be time well spent.

You can move over into standard notation after you become comfortable with the fretboard patterns (knowing where the notes and octaves are).

[homebrewer_99]

I agree with the other...stick to standard since you already know it.

As previously mentioned, a lot of TABs are wrong somewhere in the song. I find it mind boggling that two people can translate and TAB a song in different keys when they both use standard tuning.

TABs do have their place such as when you are totally lost and would like to know a song that you've already heard for years. But then again after all that time you should have been able to learn it by ear.

Good luck.

[AMP]

Gotta agree with everyone else. One exception, use the tabs to get your feet wet, or would that be fingers. Play a couple of songs so you get use to the feel of the guitar, how to hit the strings, and to give you something familiar you can work with to practice getting the sounds right.

However, since you already know how to read music, you are half way there, so keep with it.. it will help you in the long run.